MIAMI -- The Archdiocese of Miami said it would offer refunds to
passengers who booked a charter cruise to Cuba that was to coincide
with Pope John Paul II's visit to Havana.
The archdiocese had chartered Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian
Majesty to sail to Cuba Jan. 23 to 26. The cruise was canceled due
to opposition from Cuban exiles here.
Nina Meyer, owner of Carlson Wagonlit/Vision Travel in Coral
Gables, Fla., which was the booking agent, said about 400 peole had
reserved berths on the 1,056-passenger ship at an average tariff of
about $1,000.
Carlson Wagonlit/Vision had taken some bookings from other
agencies, Meyer said, but it had not been offering commissions.
However, on Dec. 18, a day before the cruise's cancellation, the
agency opened up bookings on a commissionable basis to the Carlson
Wagonlit network.
Carlson Wagonlit/Vision was handling the bookings on a fee
basis, Meyer said.