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36 C R U I S E N E W S C arnival Cruise Line hosted a bon voyage reception at Port Tampa Bay recently to mark the line's inaugural cruise to Havana, Cuba, aboard the Carnival Paradise. The event was a celebration of Cuban culture, music, cuisine and libations, featuring the "World's Largest Cuban Sandwich at Sea" and a $25,000 charity donation to Tampa's Ybor City Museum Society. Attendees included Carnival Cruise Line Executive Vice President of Guest Shipboard Operations Gus Antorcha, representatives of Port Tampa Bay, Ybor City Museum Society and invited guests. This voyage marks the first of 12 four- and five-day cruises, each with a daytime and overnight call at Havana to provide vacationers a rare and exciting opportunity to explore the fas- cinating and historic destination. Additional cruises in the series depart July 13, Aug. 14, 24 and 28, Sept. 7, 21 and 25, Oct. 5, 9 and 19, 2017; as well as May 3, 2018. Five-day voyages add a stop in either Cozumel, Mexico; or Key West, Florida. Miami and Tampa Cuban cultures were uniquely repre- sented in the "World's Largest Cuban Sandwich at Sea." The gargantuan 10-foot-long sandwich contained the traditional ingredients of all Cuban sandwiches: a light white bread, five pounds of sliced ham, 50 pounds of marinated and roasted pork, six pounds of Swiss cheese, one gallon of dill pickles and mustard and mayonnaise. But this sandwich had a twist. There is a long-standing rivalry between Tampa and Miami about which city can claim the most authentic Cuban sand- wich recipe. Tampa's Cuban community pre- dates Miami's and in Tampa they include one additional ingredient — Genoa salami — as a salute to the city's large Italian population. In a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, the "World's Largest Cuban Sandwich at Sea" was created to be half Miami-style and half Tampa-style with the addition of eight pounds of Genoa salami. "Carnival is the only cruise line with a year- round ship in Tampa and we have a long-stand- ing partnership with the local community, so it is exciting that we are inaugurating our cruises featuring Havana from this city with its very large Cuban population and strong affinity for Cuban culture," said Antorcha. "Cruising is a fantastic and convenient way to visit Cuba and we are seeing tremendous demand for these cruises from consumers as well as our travel agent partners who are sharing this exciting new vacation option with their clients." Added Paul Anderson, president & CEO, Port Tampa Bay, "We are extremely honored that Carnival has selected Port Tampa Bay to offer cruises to Havana, Cuba and excited for the travel community that this fantastic new destination is now available. Carnival's commitment to serv- ing our market for nearly a quarter of a century is a testament to the strong support they receive from our community. And, in return, the economic impact of their Tampa operation is substantial considering a single call from an average size cruise ship generates more than $350,000 in direct economic contribution to our community." CARNIVAL PARADISE DEPARTS TAMPA ON CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE'S FIRST-EVER VOYAGE TO HAVANA, CUBA Bon Voyage Celebration at Port Tampa Bay Features 'World's Largest Cuban Sandwich at Sea' and Charity Donation to Ybor City Museum Society ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS COMPLETES NEXT PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION AS SHE WAS FLOATED OUT OF DRY DOCK wi da ad sa sp La be th ro ing is fe lar Cu fan we cru ag ne T he newest member of Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class of ships, Symphony of the Seas, is now one step closer to full completion as her April 2018 debut approach- es. With the exterior now complete, Symphony of the Seas was floated out of her dry dock to begin the next phase of interior construction. Symphony of the Seas will spend her inaugural summer season exploring the awe-inspiring destinations of the Mediterranean calling on ports in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy. She will then arrive to Miami in early November to begin 7-night Eastern and Western B M & T ••• July/August 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com