The former liner was reacquired by the Ward Line in 1927 and underwent a major refit – removal of one of its stacks and modernization of its interiors – at Todd Shipyard in Seattle, returning to passenger service in the following year. "Havana" was placed on the New York–Cuba service, where business thrived, in part because of Prohibition in the United States. Ward Line cruises to Havana were one of the quickest and least expensive ways to what one author called "alcohol-enriched vacations". The success of the Cuba routes attracted the attention of Cunard Line who added service from New York to Cuba with select cruises of in 1928, a full season of cruises on in 1929, and the addition of the following season. This perceived threat to American shipping interests was met by the Ward Line by the acquisition of two new ships. The new ships, and , became the top of the line, and "Havana" was demoted to a third tier ship in terms of luxury and spaciousness, behind and .