The first cruise ship voyage to Cuba departing from the US for more than 50 years has set sail, with about a dozen Americans of Cuban descent among the 700 passengers.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the inaugural sailing, Carnival Corp CEO Arnold Donald said the cruise on Fathom’s Adonia ship cruise was ‘contributing to history.’
"To be a part of truly making history and preparing for an even more positive future for everyone is one of the greatest honors any company can have," Donald said.
The line said there are several Cuban-Americans taking the historic cruise.
The service was in jeopardy after the Cuban government upheld a long time ban forbidding Cuba-born citizens from re-entering the country by sea.
Havana finally repealed the rule just days before this first cruise.
A lawsuit filed against the cruise line was subsequently dropped late last week.
The Adonia arrives in Havana this morning before docking in Santiago de Cuba, and Cienfuegos over the next seven days.
The ‘people-to-people’ social impact cruise will sail to Cuba twice every month.
