Carnival Corp. Gets the Green Light From the Cuban Government for Cruises
Skift Take
With approval from the Cuban government in hand, Carnival Corp. will become the first cruise company in more than 50 years to operate sailings between the U.S. and Cuba. It certainly won't be the last.
The world's largest cruise operator is charging full steam ahead for Cuba.
Carnival Corp. announced Monday that Cuban authorities have agreed to allow its new Fathom brand to operate sailings between Miami and the island. The timing of the approval was close: The Miami-based cruise line has said for months that it planned to start voyages on the 704-passenger Adonia in May.
"It's been an extraordinary day," said Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald in a call with media Monday afternoon from Cuba, where he and Fathom president Tara Russell were meeting with officials. "There's signifiant pent-up demand from American travelers who want to experience Cuba firsthand."
Beyond Fathom, Donald said the cruise company is interested in deploying ships from some of its nine other brands to the island. Because cruise ships open booking far in advance, he said it wouldn't make sense to change itineraries immediately.
"It’s probably going to be many months, more than likely, before one of the other brands begins to sail here, but there's no question that we will begin to sail the other brands over time," he said.
But he said authorities in Cuba were "definitely open" to other brands coming. Carnival's other operating units include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and several Europea
