Carnival Corp. has announced that Cuba has agreed to let the company begin cruises to the island country , the first time in more than 50 years an ocean liner from the U.S. has been allowed there. The company will launch its first voyages from the USA to Cuba in May 1st.
Carnival will take the 704-passenger MV Adonia to Cuba through its newest brand Fathom, which focuses on what it calls “social-impact travel.” For $2,990, passengers will get seven days of purpose-oriented experiences, such as teaching kids in a village how to read and write English.
It would be the first time a cruise ship has sailed directly between the United States and Cuba since the two countries broke off relations in 1961.
Since a historic rapprochement began in December 2014, the US government has granted various cruise ship and ferry operators permission to reopen routes to Cuba, but so far Cuban officials have refrained from giving their green light.
President Barack Obama will crown the political rapprochement with a visit to Cuba on March 20-22, but a US embargo remains in place.
