MIAMI--Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company, has been granted approval by Cuba for the company to begin travel to the island starting on May 1, 2016.

 

Following US authorisation granted in July 2015, Carnival is now cleared to operate the 704-passenger MV Adonia to Cuba through its newest brand Fathom. This marks the first time in over fifty years a cruise ship is approved to sail from the US to Cuba.

 

Cuban authorities from Havanatur Celimar, various other agencies and Carnival signed agreements last week Monday enabling cruising by Carnival to Cuba.

 

“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 US to Cuba with our historic inaugural sailing.”

 

“We are excited about Cuban approval and are ready to take travellers there through an extraordinary guest experience on the beautiful MV Adonia,” said Carnival CEO Arnold Donald. “This is an 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.”

 

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 has obtained berthing approval.

 

As part of this historic sailing in this inaugural year, travellers will enjoy an exciting Cuban experience and will sail aboard the 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.

 

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, casual and fun personal enrichment activities, conversational Spanish lessons and guided sessions with the Fathom team.

 

“We are humbled and honoured to offer a one-of-a-kind Cuban experience to our travellers,” said Russell.

 

Curaçao Chronicle