Call of Cuba

Venture with Oceania Cruises to this romanticized island and get ready for soul shine.

BY JIMMY IM

Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida, yet a visit here feels worlds away. Steeped in culture and history, Cuba is timeless, chock-full of well preserved, colonial architecture, while unspoiled, white-sand beaches dot the coastline. Afro-Cuban music fills the streets, traditional Cuban recipes remain authentic, and classic cars are the preferred mode of transport. And no other destination serves a mojito—which was invented here—better than the island. Since tourism opened for Americans in 2015, Cuba has remained a Caribbean hot spot, and Oceania Cruises offers travelers 10 more reasons to visit. The leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line recently debuted 10 new “Journeys to Cuba” itineraries.

Cienfuegos, located on Cuba’s south coast.

Aboard the acclaimed Sirena, where old-world charm merges with modern comforts, 684 guests have the privilege of experiencing Cuba. The journey is equipped with 400 professional staff that ensures unforgettable service, and there are 342 intimate staterooms and suites—70 percent equipped with private, teak verandas. Oceania strives to capture the spirit of Cuba; as such, the journey to Cuba begins as soon as you step onboard. Oceania’s “Finest Cuisine at Sea” dining concept features four open-seating gourmet restaurants serving iconic Cuban fare, including authentic dishes passed down from generations-old family recipes. Guests are further immersed in Cuban culture with onboard experts delivering fascinating lectures on Cuban history, art, and music.

Departing from Miami, Oceania Cruises offers handcrafted itineraries that explore Cuba’s rich heritage, and guests visit the island’s most riveting attractions, from coast to coast. In Havana, guests will explore Old Havana’s striking landmarks like Malecon, the main thoroughfare with Baroque facades and cobblestone alleys, as well as the eclectic Plaza Vieja, where decades-old architectural styles blend. The excursion also includes must-see highlights, like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and old cigar factories. Ernest Hemingway famously spent close to 20 years in Cuba, and guests can relax at the American author’s former haunt, El Floridita, where mojitos or daiquiris are served while a live jazz band plays. The voyages also include shore excursions in Cienfuegos, a seaside town with a UNESCO historic city center known for neoclassical architecture, and Santiago de Cuba, which is nestled between the Sierra Maestra Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Here, visitors will discover the UNESCO appointed San Pedro de la Roca Castle.

Oceania Cruises pulls into the storied island.

A Cuban local.

Local Havana street musicians.

The Crema de Malanga dish aboard Oceania.

Guests can also embark on Cuba voyages aboard Insignia, which recently underwent a major transformation, as well as Riviera, a stunning ship that includes Cuba in its varied Caribbean itineraries. No matter what ship you sail, the journeys to Cuba are top-notch and infused with a serious sense of place.