Cuba currently lacks the infrastructure to handle a large influx of cruise ships and visitors, says Richard Sasso, chairman of Cruise Lines International Association.

Even if the United States lifts the travel ban to Cuba, don’t expect Havana to be a port of call for American cruise lines any time soon, says Richard Sasso, board chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association. (CLIA is the trade group for 25 cruise lines serving North America.)

Heartened by news reports that Cuba has agreed to release 52 political prisoners and increasing congressional support for ending the American travel ban, Sasso said he foresees the day when Cuba will be on the Caribbean itinerary of every major cruise line.

“Right now, though, they lack the infrastructure and facilities to handle the huge influx of vessels and visitors,” he added.

“It’ll probably take one, two or maybe three years before the necessary developments are completed. Lots of work has to be done.”

The CLIA chairman, one of Celebrity Cruises’ founders, came out of retirement several years ago to serve as president of the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s North American section.

Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church announced Wednesday that the prisoners would be released. It came after a meeting of Cuban President Raul Castro, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Maratinos and Cardinal Jaime Ortega.

The U.S. State Department has called the action “a positive development.”

Earlier this month, senators of both political parties indicated they have sufficient votes to lift the American travel ban to Cuba. They said they plan to push legislation in the next few weeks to eliminate it.

Under existing law, American journalists and persons on humanitarian missions are permitted to travel to Cuba.