Onelia Chaveco

Since the early days of the Cuban cruise industry, beginning in 1996, the high tourist season traditionally means the arrival of a significant number of ships to the 34 berths for luxury liners currently available in ports on Cuba’s central and southern coasts.

More cruise ships arriving at ports in central and southern Cuba.

Doris Alonso Vega, commercial expert for Central Port Services Company, explained that eight cruise ships transport tourists to the ports of Casilda, in Sancti Spíritus and to Cienfuegos. She added that many of the ships make repeat trips, such is the case of the Louis Crystal which makes 15 journeys.

Some 7,990 visitors arrived at both ports in the period November 2013 – May 2014, en route to cities such as Trinidad and Cienfuegos, which are both designated World Heritage Sites, she commented.

The Louis Cristal, with 15 trips, is one of the cruise ships that most frequently visits Cuba.

Vega said that the figure represents 31% of the 25,700 cruise passengers who arrived to the two provinces, over the last 17 years. The luxury ships arriving in Jagua Bay can moor at two docks, from where passengers can access the city center via the Santa Isabel corridor.

Deborah González Valladares, comercial specialist for the Tourism Ministry office in Cienfuegos, highlighted an increase in arrivals in the first months of this year. She stated that passengers may travel by bus to selected destinations, but can visit the cities’ most popular sites on their own, if they prefer.