Miami-based interests are said to be lining up a deal to acquire the laid-up Portuguese cruiseship Funchal (built 1961) to launch a new service between the US and Cuba.

Cruise industry insiders say that a deal is on the cards for an undisclosed Miami-based entrepreneur to acquire the 9,600-gt cruiseship Funchal to cash in on the growing desire by US citizens to take a cruise vacation to Cuba.