Thomson to start Cuba cruises

 

Cuba is one of three gateways being offered by Thomson Cruises as part of a new programme of sailings for winter 2010-11.

The company is to deploy new ship Thomson Dream in the Caribbean with flights offered from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester.

The 1,500-passenger ship, being acquired from Costa Cruises, will operate from Havana, Barbados and Montego Bay in Jamaica.

New destinations include Santa Marta in Columbia and Roatan in Honduras.

Selected itineraries allow for three days in the Cuban capital - where US cruise lines are prevented from docking due to US regulations on travel to the country.

The cruise arm of the UK’s biggest tour operator is to run three different 14-night itineraries between December 2010 and April 2011.

Other ports of call include Aruba, Curacao, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Thomson Cruises director of cruising David Selby said three days in Cuba would be available on cruises between Montego Bay and Barbados.

The ship will run 21-night circuits broken down into 14-night itineraries, with each cruise offering at least one night in Havana.

The fly-cruises go on sale on November 5.

by Phil Davies