Carnival Corporation has made history. On the heels of President Barack Obama?s historic arrival in Cuba yesterday morning, Carnival CEO Arnold Donald announced that the corporation is cleared to travel to Cuba beginning in May 2016.
This is the first time in 50 years that an American cruise ship has been approved to sail there.?
Following U.S. authorization granted in July 2015, Carnival Corporation is now cleared to operate the 704-passenger MV Adonia to Cuba through its newest brand Fathom.
?”We are excited about Cuban approval and are ready to take travelers there through an extraordinary guest experience on the beautiful MV Adonia,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “This is a historic opportunity, and we know there is pent-up demand amongst Americans who want to experience Cuba. We believe there is no better way to experience so much of Cuba?in seven days. Everyone who sails with us with Fathom to Cuba will have a very special, rewarding and enriching experience with our Fathom brand.”
“Our Carnival Corporation and Fathom brand teams have worked closely with Cuba throughout this process and we are thrilled to begin regular sailings to Cuba from Miami starting on?May 1, 2016,” said Tara Russell, president of Carnival Corporation’s new Fathom brand. ?We have been told that we will be the first cruise line to sail from the U.S. to Cuba with our historic inaugural sailing.?
Fathom Cuban itineraries feature three ports of call?During each sailing, Carnival Corporation through its Fathom brand initially will visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, three ports of call for which Carnival Corporation has obtained berthing approval.
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As part of this historic sailing in this inaugural year, travelers will enjoy an exciting Cuban experience and will sail aboard the 704-passenger MV Adonia, where they can choose to partake in onboard experiences, including Cuban- and Caribbean-inspired music and film options, as well as Cuban-inspired menu options.
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Special onboard programming will include a wide variety of activities covering an array of interests, ranging from an orientation to Cuba’s history, customs and culture, to geographic-inspired entertainment, to casual and fun personal enrichment activities, to conversational Spanish lessons, to guided sessions with the Fathom team.
?”We are humbled and honored to offer a one-of-a-kind Cuban experience to our travelers,” said Russell.?? Seven-day itineraries on Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand depart from PortMiami?on Sundays at?4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The ship will arrive at its first destination, Havana, the following morning (Monday) at?11 a.m. Eastern Time. The MV Adonia returns to its homeport, PortMiami, at?7:30 a.m. Eastern Time?Sunday.?
?Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard experiences and several on-the ground activities. Prices will vary by season.
(CLICK HERE to read a related article about U.S. Black-owned businesses and Cuba.)
