Politico reports:
Beginning in May 2016, Carnival plans to run biweekly, seven-night “people-to-people” vacations to Cuba on the company’s 710-passenger Adonia ship that offer “cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges between American and Cuban citizens,” according to a statement provided to USA Today. The company is still awaiting final approval from the Cuban government. Though pure tourism to Cuba is still banned, despite the Obama administration’s recent decision to restart relations between the United States and Cuba and open an Embassy in Havana, the Treasury and Commerce departments have each approved Carnival’s proposals. U.S. travelers can sign up for a place on one of the trips with a $600 deposit. Ultimately, the trip will cost $2,990 per person with taxes and other fees not included. The price is more than 3 times the typical fare for a similar-length Carnival trip to the Caribbean.
The cruises will operate under a new Carnival flag to be called Fathom.
Labels: Cuba, diplomacy, tourism
