Carnival Corporation is set to face a protest outside its Miami headquarters today by disgruntled Cuban-Americans who are banned from travelling to Cuba by sea.
The US Treasury lifted restrictions to allow Carnival’s new Fathom brand to operate cruises to Cuba for Americans but that does not extend to people born in Cuba, even though they may now be US citizens and holders of a US passport.
Carnival has upheld a Cuban law which bans Cuban-born people from entering the country by sea.
Protestors plan to stage a demonstration outside the Carnival building on Tuesday and another starting at the Miami Yacht Club when the first Fathom sailing departs on May 1.
Carnival has taken a lot of flak in the press and social media for keeping quiet about what many in the Cuban-American community view as an archaic law.
There has even been a suggestion it could violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"It is our policy to obey the regulations and laws of the countries we sail to around the world. However, we have requested a reconsideration of this regulation. We understand and empathize with the concerns being voiced and will continue to work the issue with Cuban officials," a Carnival statement said.
