Holland America Line has announced it will be sailing to Cuba on selected cruises this year. 

The first cruise to sail to Cuba will depart Fort Lauderdale on 22 December 2017 and is a 12-night Cuban Explorer holiday cruise onboard Veendam.

Ports of call on this new itinerary include Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), Key West (Florida, US), Havana (Cuba), Cienfuegos (Cuba), Montego Bay (Jamaica) and Georgetown (Cayman Islands).

New excursions will also become available to guests on Cuba sailings ranging from The Best of Havana all day hosted tour to trips off the beaten path to Las Terrazas UNESCO Biosphere.

Cuba cruises will run until April 2018.

New excursions on offer in the destination include:

The Best of Havana excursion is ideal for guests who want to see the best Cuba has to offer in a day.

The full day tour features a tour of Fortress de San de la Cabana to learn about the legend of El Cristo, a panoramic drive along the Malecon waterfront to take in the famous Hotel Nacional, a visit to Parque Central, Plaza de Revolucion, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral.

The day also includes a delicious lunch. Price: $109.95pp (£87).

The Off the Beaten Path excursion takes guests on an exploration of UNESCO biosphere area of Las Terrazas, developed as part of Cuba’s Green Revolution in the 1960s.

They can also explore the ruins of Cuba’s oldest coffee plantation at Cafetal Buenavista, before meeting the local Cuban people who still use flora and fauna as alternative medicines.

The day includes a lunch and guests will also get to relax in the natural pools of the stunning San Juan River. Price: $114.95pp (£91).