Norwegian Sun Sails on Inaugural Voyage from Port Canaveral to Cuba

Four-day cruises offer an overnight stay in Havana


(Norwegian Sun at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 10)
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
 

Port Canaveral, FL – The growth of cruising from Port Canaveral hit another milestone as the Norwegian Sun sailed out of the Port on its inaugural voyage to Havana, Cuba today.  Fresh out of dry dock enhancement, Norwegian Sun returned to Port Canaveral to begin her homeport Summer 2018 sailing season. The Norwegian Sun called Port Canaveral home for two years, from 2010 to 2012.  The ship will be berthed at the Port's recently remodeled Cruise Terminal 10, in which the Port invested more than $35 million in renovations. The new Norwegian Cruise Line sailing options -- four-night itinerary to Havana, Cuba and Key West a three-night itinerary to the Bahamas --marks the first time a homeported cruise ship has sailed from Port Canaveral to Cuba.

“We are excited to welcome back Norwegian Sun to Port Canaveral for these new voyages to Havana, Cuba,” said Port CEO Captain John Murray. “We’re proud of our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines and pleased to be hosting these new sailing opportunities for cruise guests this summer season.”
 

(L to R: Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, Norwegian Sun Capt.
Teo Grbic, Admiral Wayne Justice, Chairman, Canaveral Port Authority)
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
 

“Port Canaveral was the ideal location to offer our guests a value-rich on board experience and exciting action-packed ports-of-call, including an overnight call in Havana, Cuba,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Aboard the Norwegian Sun, Captain Teo Grbic was presented with a plaque welcoming the ship’s return to Port Canaveral.  The plaque was presented by Capt. John Murray and Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice.

“We are honored that Norwegian Cruise Line has selected Port Canaveral to offer cruises to Havana, Cuba and excited for the traveling community that this new destination is now available,” said Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice.  “Today’s embarkation to Cuba validates the Port’s ongoing investments in state-of-the-art facilities and continuous improvement in cruise operations, earning the confidence of some of the world’s most successful cruise brands.”

Norwegian Sun’s four-day cruise to Cuba will depart Port Canaveral each Monday and features a call on Key West and an overnight stay in Havana, returning to Port Canaveral each Friday.  In Havana, Norwegian Sun will transport guests to Havana Harbor, located in the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. NCL will offer guests the opportunity to experience the wonderful culture and history of Cuba with OFAC (U.S.Treasury Office of Foreign Assets)-compliant shore excursions.

Norwegian Sun’s three-day cruise to the Bahamas departs Port Canaveral each Friday and features calls in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island beach with recently enhanced food and beverage outlets, cabanas and underwater snorkeling.

The 78,309 gross-ton ship, built in 2001, recently underwent an extensive dry-dock refurbishment.  The newly freshened 1,936 passenger cruise vessel offers 14 dining options, bars and lounges, onboard shopping, spa and entertainment. All guests sailing aboard the Norwegian Sun's Cuba or Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral will enjoy unlimited complimentary beverages included in their cruise fare as a part of the ship's all-inclusive program.
 

 
ABOUT PORT CANAVERAL  
Led by the elected five-member Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners and Port Director and CEO, Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting ports. A world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers, including space, Port Canaveral hosts nearly 5 million revenue cruise passengers through its state-of-the-art terminals and 6 million of tons of cargo annually, including bulk, break-bulk, project, and containerized. The Port is strategically located to service all Florida markets, as well as the Southeastern United States. In addition to world class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, Port Canaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other Florida deep-water seaports combined, including public parks, free public boat ramps, marinas, an entertainment district, and the seven-story interactive exhibit and event venue Exploration Tower. For more information, visit www.PortCanaveral.com.
 
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