Port Tampa Bay said it was pleased with Royal Caribbean International’s decision to bring the Empress of the Seas back to Tampa for the summer cruise season in 2018, according to a press release.

On April 30 of this year, the Empress of the Seas began sailing during the summer season for the first time from Tampa with visits to Havana, Cuba, and will have 42 homeports in Tampa.

The ship will be back in Tampa for the 2018 summer season, offering four- and five-night voyages to Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Havana.

“Today’s announcement to continue summer cruises to Cuba from Tampa through 2018 is a big feather in our cap, not only for the port but for all of Tampa Bay, which is a major gateway to the Western Caribbean,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said. “We are delighted to work with our partners at Royal Caribbean International for many years to come.”