In the first half of the 20th century, cruising to Havana was a big part of Miami’s tourist trade. Here’s a brochure from the Clyde-Mallory Cruise Lines from approximately 1940…
“HAVANA
Paris of the Western World
Separated by only a few hours of luxurious steamer travel, Havana and Miami present almost opposite characteristics. In Havana, the Latin temperament predominates and to the American every phase of the sophisticated Old Spanish City is foreign and romantic. At the races, at the Casino, about the historic old fortresses and Cathedrals, in the gaiety of the carnivals or the spell of evening concerts on the Malecon, at the roof gardens or cafes along the cosmopolitan Passeo de Marti—everywhere romance and chivalry dwell—beguiling the visitor into a new world of pleasures and delights.MIAMI
A Nation’s Winter Playland
Miami is modern. Created by man as a winter paradise of outdoor play and developed with exquisite beauty, it is a veritable Eden, peopled with pleasure-loving devotees to its charms. Here everything is superlative. On every hand the imagination is outstripped by the realities, so perfect are the surroundings and the facilities for all outdoor sports—racing, golf, bathing, motoring, tennis, polo, boating, fishing—and only the cordial hospitality of “The American Riviera” could devise the unending pageant of social festivities that, to visitors, is a revelation of the art of enjoying life.S.S. IROQUOIS
S.S. EVANGELINE
Catering to the growing demand for swift, frequent and de luxe passage between Miami and Havana, the Clyde-Mallory Lines have assigned the Steamers Iroquois and Evangeline to this service. These great ships, twin- screw, turbine driven and affording every comfort of modern ocean travel, alternate in direct DAILY overnight service in each direction between these famous resort centers of Florida and Cuba.The equipment of these big, luxurious vessels includes glass-enclosed wide promenades. Broad open decks. Suites of parlor, sleeping room and bath. Bedrooms with double or twin beds and private bath. Staterooms with or without lavatory and shower. Library. Sheltered Dancing Deck. Tea Room. Sun Parlor. Orchestra. Concerts and Dancing. Perfect Dining Service and individual tables for parties of two, three, four, six or eight persons.
Schedule—Winter Season 1929-30
DIRECT OVERNIGHT SERVICE DAILY BETWEEN MIAMI AND HAVANA
S. S. IROQUOIS and S. S. EVANGELINE
Leave Miami 4:30 P.M.
December 31, January 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13
AND DAILY THEREAFTER
Arrive Havana 8 o’clock the following morning
Leave Havana 8:00 P.M.
January *1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14
AND DAILY THEREAFTER
Arrive Miami 7 o’clock the following morning
‘On Wednesday, Jan. 1, steamer will leave Havana at midnight and arrive Miami next morning at 11 o’clock.STATEROOM ACCOMMODATIONS Charge
Per Berth each direction between Miami and Havana
Inside $2.00
Outside, Lower Deck (S.S. Evangeline only) 3.50
Outside, Saloon Deck 5.00
Outside, Promenade Deck 5.00
Outside, Preferred location and size — — 6.00
Outside, with private toilet 9.00
Outside, with private toilet and shower 11.00
Outside, (1 person) (S.S. Evangeline only) . 15.00
Suites with double bed, private bath 15.00
Suites with twin beds and private bath 17.00
Parlor, bedroom and private bath . — — — 40.00For tickets, reservations or further information apply to any
Authorized Tourist Agent or CLYDE-MALLORY
Uptown Office, 160 S. E. First Street MIAMI Pier Office, Foot of N. E. Tenth Street
HAVANA Centro Asturiano Bldg. (Ward Line) Cor. Central Park and Obispo Street
JACKSONVILLE TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG
Foot of Liberty St. Hillsboro Hotel. Florida Theatre Bldg.
NEW YORK Uptown, 545 Fifth Avenue Downtown, Pier 36, North RiverPASSENGER FARES between
MIAMI and HAVANA
Excursion, 10-day limit, $27.50
One Way, $25
Season Round Trip, $45
Excellent Dining Service. Meals a la carte and table d’hôte.
Cuban Tourist Tax of $3.00 is assessed on all round trip tickets, also on tickets one way from Havana; no tax on one-way tickets from the United States to Havana.”