Victory’s Cuba go-ahead

TRUMP’S Cuba policy hasn’t curbed cruise lines entering into the market, with Victory Cruise Lines confirming it has been approved to do business in the Caribbean country.

President and ceo of the small ship operator, Bruce Nierenberg told Cruise Weekly he was excited by the opportunity the revised regula ons for Americans travelling to Cuba had created.

No ng the line was “basically doing everything already that is required,” Nierenberg said “small ship all‐inclusive cruising like ours is the best fit for the new US regs and also brings the economic benefit not just to Havana as do the large cruise ships, but to all the five corners of the country”.

“It’s a win‐win for the US and Cuba,” he added.

The all‐inclusive nature of Victory Cruise Line’s offering gives it “total control” over the tours, Nierenberg said, ensuring guests could comply with US regula on.

Nierenberg is working to confirm and contract for berths in Cuban ports, but said as a small ship cruise line, Victory would be seeking most of its berths in the smaller, less visited ports.

In addi on, Victory expected to call into Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, San ago de Cuba and Maria La Gorda and would try to arrange overnight stays in at least three ports “to provide more of an immersive experience”.

The sailings are scheduled to begin in Nov on the 202‐passenger M/V Victory I.