Carnival Corp. said it
will delay the scheduled May 1 start of cruises to Cuba if it can’t win
permission from the Cuban government to take Cuban-born U.S. residents on the
cruises.
Carnival said that it
is in talks with Cuba over the issue and is optimistic about a
change in the policy by the time the cruises launch. It said it has now
begun accepting reservations for Fathom’s cruises irrespective of national
origin.
Cuba travel regulations
currently ban anyone born in Cuba from arriving to the island on a ship. They
can travel to Cuba via air charter, and Carnival is seeking to put cruises on
the same legal footing.
A couple dozen
protestors picketed outside Carnival headquarters last week, alleging Carnival
discrimination against Cuban-Americans.
Also, two prospective Fathom passengers sued Carnival in U.S. District Court in Miami, challenging the line's decision not to allow them on a cruise bound for Cuba because they were born there.
Fathom is seeking to
become the first regular passenger service between the United States and Cuba
in over 50 years.
“We want everyone to be
able to go to Cuba with us,” said Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald. “We remain
excited about this historic opportunity to give our guests an extraordinary
vacation experience in Cuba.”