MSC operates first cruise liner to Cuba for Europeans and CanadiansMSC Cruises, part of holding company MSC Group which owns container shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company, has become the first major liner to commence operations in Cuba.
In spite of its cruises not currently being offered to US customers, the company said its bookings by Europeans and Canadians were "above our estimations,?reported Reuters.
"Out of the main four global cruise lines in the world, we are the first one (into Cuba) and the only one not headquartered in the US," said CEO of Switzerland's MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato.
With a capacity to carry 2,600 passengers, the MSC Opera, was scheduled to arrive in Havana on December 18. A second ship of the same capacity, MSC Armonia, will operate out of Cuba from November 2016 over the winter season.
MSC Cruises has a fleet of 12 cruise ships and orders for up to seven further vessels. It plans to double the number of passengers it carries to 3.4 million annually by 2021 amid plans to enter the China market from May and later the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates.
In spite of its cruises not currently being offered to US customers, the company said its bookings by Europeans and Canadians were "above our estimations,?reported Reuters.
"Out of the main four global cruise lines in the world, we are the first one (into Cuba) and the only one not headquartered in the US," said CEO of Switzerland's MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato.
With a capacity to carry 2,600 passengers, the MSC Opera, was scheduled to arrive in Havana on December 18. A second ship of the same capacity, MSC Armonia, will operate out of Cuba from November 2016 over the winter season.
MSC Cruises has a fleet of 12 cruise ships and orders for up to seven further vessels. It plans to double the number of passengers it carries to 3.4 million annually by 2021 amid plans to enter the China market from May and later the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates.