Carnival Cruises Gets Green Light to Carry Cuban-Born Travelers
Cuba had banned Cuban-born people from traveling to-and-fro by sea.
— -- Cuban-born travelers will be permitted to sail to and from Cuba for the first time in decades, following a new agreement between Carnival Cruise Line and the Cuban government.
Carnival Corp. announced today that Cuban-born passengers will be permitted to travel on its week-long voyages to Cuba that begin sailing from Miami May 1. It will be the first time in over 50 years that a cruise ship has been permitted to sail from the United States to Cuba.
Cuba had previously banned Cuban-born people from traveling to and from the communist island nation by sea, though air travel had been permitted. Carnival said it "worked closely" with Cuba to allow its cruise ships to have the same permissions as air charter operations starting with the cruise company's inaugural voyage to Cuba next month.
President Obama's visit to Cuba last month marked the first visit to the island nation by a sitting U.S. president in nearly 90 years. Obama called on Congress to lift the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.
Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald said on a conference call today that the number of bookings by Cuban-born travelers has been "low relative to the total," because "a number of people are hesitant."
But he said he hopes today's news will garner more interest so the cruise line can bring more Cubans back to their homeland.
The inaugural cruise isn't sold out, though there is limited space available, Carnival spokesman Roger Frizzell said.
"With today’s news, we expect interest in the cruise to become even higher since it takes away the uncertainly felt by some," he said.
Carnival's new Fathom brand is chartering the 704-passenger Adonia luxury cruise ship every other week.
Starting May 1, Fathom begins seven-day voyages to three ports of call in Cuba.
About 50 people protested outside Carnival's headquarters in Doral, Florida, last week when Carnival said it couldn't accept bookings by Cuban-born travelers for the historic trip because of Cuba's policy, the Miami Herald reported.
Though Cuban-born travelers can travel round-trip from the United States with Carnival, there are no departures originating in Cuba.
The seven-day trip itinerary departs from Miami to three ports of call in Cuba: Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Prices start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas and taxes.
"This is a positive outcome and we are extremely pleased," Donald said in a statement. "We want to extend our sincere appreciation to Cuba and to our team who worked so hard to help make this happen."
Carnival has 10 cruise brands, including Holland America, and operates 100 ships.