A new U.S. cruise docked Thursday here in its bid to promote Cuba as one of its most important destinations in the Caribbean despite a serious setback in bilateral ties.

The cruise line announced that the automatic gratuity of $13.50 and $16.50 for suite guests will increase by $1 per guest, per day beginning January 2, 2018.

Cruise lines are laying the groundwork for further expansion into Cuba now that the rules governing U.S. tourism to the island have been revised and clarified by the Trump administration.

Viking celebrated the kickoff of its inaugural World Cruise on its fourth and newest ocean ship, Viking Sun, welcoming guests in Miami for the sold out 141-day itinerary.

Carnival Cruise Line set up a vending machine in New York's Greeley Square Park that dispensed cans filled with the scents of Caribbean destinations.

Tortola Pier Park was a hive of activity earlier as the British Virgin Islands received their first two official cruise ship calls of the season with the visits of the Marella Discovery and Marella Celebration, respectively.