Palm Beach-to-Cuba cruise in talks

Port of Palm Beach could host Connecticut-based cruise line planning cultural excursions next year.

Tourists could soon be able to sail to Cuba from the Port of Palm Beach.

Port officials said Friday they are in negotiations with a Connecticut-based cruise line, which plans to offer cultural excursions to the Caribbean island nation beginning early next year.

“These negotiations are in the very, very early stages of discussion,” Tara Monks, the port’s spokeswoman, said in an email to The Palm Beach Post.

Pearl Seas Cruises, which operates the 210-passenger Pearl Mist, plans to offer its Cuba Cultural Voyage from a “South Florida port.” Although an itinerary map on the company’s website appears to show the ship departing from Palm Beach County, a Pearl Seas spokeswoman said the cruise line is considering several ports in the South Florida area.

Spokeswoman Judy Roman said the cruise line has had discussions with Port of Palm Beach officials, but “nothing is confirmed.”

According to its website, Pearl Seas plans to offer six cruises between Florida and Cuba in March and April.

Each trip will span 10 nights, and include two days in Havana.

Other stops on the island

will be Maria La Gorda, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, Parque de Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt and Holguin.

Palm Beach County tourism leaders said the Cuban voyage would be a welcomed addition, bringing new visitors to the region.

“This is an excellent

cial

debarking

CONTRIBUTED BY PEARL SEAS CRUISES The Pearl Mist is Pearl Seas Cruises’ only ship. The vessel was launched last year and is planning 10-night cultural trips to Cuba from a Florida port beginning as early as March.