MSC Cruises announced today it will further strengthen its presence in Cuba by homeporting a second ship in Havana from the Winter 2016-2017 season, citing rising demand.

The MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera in Havana, from November 2016, for the entire winter season.

MSC Armonia will sail two separate eight-day (seven-night) itineraries, adding Central American and Caribbean destinations to the MSC Cruises portfolio, said the company.

Following two days and one night in the Cuban capital, the first itinerary will take guests from Havana to Roatan (Honduras), before heading to Belize City (Belize). Then it’s on to Costa Maya (Mexico) and Isla de la Juventud (Cuba), before returning to Havana.

The second will start with two and half days and two nights in Havana, then set sail for Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands) and Cozumel, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, before circling back to the Cuban capital.

Guests will be able to combine both itineraries into one spectacular 14-night cruise.

Next month MSC Cruises will become the first global cruise line to homeport in Havana, from where MSC Opera will sail to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico, with two and a half days and two nights in the Cuban capital.

MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato said: “With no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a long-held tradition of hospitality, Cuba has all the makings of a top world cruise destination. MSC Cruises is honoured to be able to support the further development of this huge potential, and we’re very thankful to the Cuban authorities for their ongoing cooperation in this regard.”