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Cruise lines undeterred by Cuba travel warning
Cruise lines will continue sailing to Cuba despite a new travel warning issued by the US State Department.
Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian will operate as scheduled and insist the country is safe for travel.
Citing mysterious ‘sonic attacks’ against State Department employees, which has led to various health issues including dizziness and sleep deprivation, the US issued the warning.
US officials have been unable to identify the source of the attacks, and have limited its diplomatic mission to essential personnel only.
"There have been no reported incidents involving tourists or other cruise ship passengers. Reported incidents have been isolated to diplomats and government officials residing on the island," Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.
"We continue to believe that the best way to travel to Cuba is via cruise ship and look forward to continuing to offer our guests the opportunity to explore Cuba."
Carnival Cruise Line, which sails to Cuba from Tampa, will also continue to operate as normal.
"While members and relatives of the U.S. diplomatic corps have suffered illnesses, none of the more than 475,000 other Americans visiting Cuba this year have reported similar health issues. We are, of course, closely monitoring and are in touch with US as well as Cuban authorities, and will act accordingly if anything warrants a change in our plans," Carnival said.
"The State Department advisory does not prohibit Americans from traveling to Cuba."
Due to the repatriation of most embassy staff in Havana, only emergency in-country consular services are available to Americans.
The travel industry has condemned the travel warning as ‘unnecessary’ and will also continue taking Americans to Cuba.
"The U.S. government has a responsibility to make clear to U.S. travelers that Cuba continues to be safe, that these are isolated incidents and there is no risk to Americans traveling to Cuba," Colin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel told the New York Times.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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