Carnival will let Cuba natives on its cruise after all -- but will Cuba accept them?
Although Cuba still prohibits Cuban-born travelers from visiting the island by sea, Carnival Corp. has reversed its own stance, deciding to accept bookings from Cuba natives on its first cruise to the Communist nation in more than 50 years.
In a letter to Carnival employees, Chief Executive Arnold Donald said the company is negotiating with the Cuban government to change its policy. If Carnival cannot get Cuba to remove the ban by May 1, the scheduled date of the first trip, the sailing will be delayed, he said.
“This issue has been a top priority for us, and our team has been working hard and continues to work hard to reach a positive outcome,” Donald said.
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Carnival was slammed by protesters and named in a discrimination lawsuit after it announced plans to accept no Cuban-born travelers on its first sailing of the Adonia, a vessel of Carnival’s Fathom brand. Carnival said it was abiding by Cuba’s restrictions.
Cuban officials have not explained why the country allows Cuban-born travelers to visit by plane but not by ship. Experts in the U.S. have offered various theories, including the idea that Cuba doesn’t have the personnel to screen passengers in cruise ship ports.
The luxury ship Adonia, which can carry 704 passengers, is currently scheduled to leave Miami on May 1 for a weeklong cruise to Cuba. During the trip, the ship is to visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. For the maiden voyage, much of the ship has been booked, but some suites and balcony cabins are still available at rates starting at $6,000 per person.
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The U.S. still requires that Cuba-bound travelers’ motivations fall under at least one of 12 categories, such as journalistic activities, professional research, public performances and family visits. Fathom officials say they will ensure that passengers meet the U.S. conditions.
Carnival is the first commercial cruise ship company to sail from the U.S. under the Obama administration’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba.
Nearly every major U.S.-based airline has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin regular service to Havana and other Cuban airports.
To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin
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