American travelers born in Cuba -- told in March they wouldn't be allowed aboard Carnival's Fathom-brand cruise ships bound for the island -- have been cleared to enter Cuba, officials for the Cuban government and Doral-based cruise line announced Friday morning.
When the 704-passenger Adonia leaves Miami May 1, it will be the first America-to-Cuba cruise in more than 50 years.
The historic cruise looked dead in the water after Carnival barred Cuban-born Americans from buying tickets because of Cuba's ban. The action set off a federal discrimination lawsuit the Miami Cuban community filed against the cruise line.
Carnival "worked feverishly behind the scenes to make this happen," Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Friday. Gimenez had pushed Carnival Chairman Micky Arison to "negotiate something with the Cubans." Cuba's ban dates back to the Bay of Pigs invasion, when the government addressed a fear that anti-Castro Cubans would attack the island and its communist regime by boat from America.
"We made history in March, and we are a part of making history again today," said Carnival CEO Arnold Donald. "This is a positive outcome and we are extremely pleased. We want to extend our sincere appreciation to Cuba and to our team who worked so hard to help make this happen."
The trips start at $1,800 per person and are categorized as educational only. Fathom will visit three ports in Cuba -- Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. No fun in the sun on a Cuban beach allowed. Leisure tourism remains banned until Congress acts.
Guests can join in onboard experiences, "including Cuban- and Caribbean-inspired food and films, music and dancing," and special onboard programming will range from "an orientation of Cuba's history, customs and culture, to geographic-inspired entertainment, to casual and fun personal enrichment activities, along with conversational Spanish lessons," according to Carnival.
The status of the lawsuit is unclear in light of Friday's game-changing announcement.
Carnival advertises that it is the world's largest cruise line, operating 10 brands with 100 ships that visit 700 ports across the world. But it is not the only cruise line looking to serve a growing interest in Cuban-American travel to Cuba. Norwegian Cruise Lines is engaged in ongoing talks with the Cuban government.
“I am extremely pleased with the announcement that all Americans, regardless of their place of birth, will be able to travel to Cuba aboard cruise ships,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, in a written statement Friday. Del Rio was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1961.
“Our Oceania Cruises brand continues discussions with Cuban officials seeking approval to commence cruises to Cuba later this year. I had every confidence that the Cuban government would allow its natural born citizens to visit the island nation by cruise ship as they have allowed Cuban Americans to travel by air for years. I am encouraged to see that the governments of both Cuba and the United States continue to institute constructive resolutions to issues across a wide spectrum, including the lifting of remaining restrictions on travel for American citizens. I am very much looking forward to sailing to Cuba soon aboard one of our ships in the company of many fellow Cuban Americans and other fellow Americans who wish to share in the excitement and passion that cruising to Cuba brings.”
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
