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On new Cuba sailings from Miami, MSC can carry US citizens

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MSC Armonia will spend two days in Havana on every weeklong voyage
MSC Cruises, which has been selling Cuba voyages for some time to non-US citizens, is branching out with Miami round-trips that, for the first time for the line, can carry Americans.

Starting Dec. 10, MSC Armonia will add Miami to its seven-night Cuba itinerary, homeporting there alongside MSC Divina and MSC Seaside.

MSC Cruises will be the only cruise line offering a weeklong program regularly including two days in Havana.

MSC Armonia will embark in Miami on Mondays then sail to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel before arriving at Havana on Saturday and staying through to Sunday before returning to Miami. In Havana a wide range of cultural excursions will be offered.

The visits to Cuba comply with US Department of Treasury regulations that permit travel operators to transport approved US citizens to Cuba to engage people-to-people educational exchange activities.

'This new MSC Cruises product out of Miami allows to us to further enrich our offer to North American guests,' MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said.

He also noted that by having Miami as homeport, this will give European and other international travelers an opportunity to add a pre- or post- cruise land vacation from New York, Orlando or other US cities. Miami also offers a greater array of inbound and outbound flight options when traveling from within the US or internationally.

As the first ship in MSC Cruises’ $250m Renaissance Program, MSC Armonia has been recently and extensively renovated.