Cruising to Cuba from the States

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The Adonia.

AN American cruise ship is sailing into the history books as it sets off from the US bound for Cuba, the first trip like this for 50 years. 

Travelling from Miami, ‘The Adoni’ is carrying 700 passengers and is due to arrive in Havana today, Monday May 2. 

Cuba and the US restored diplomatic relations last year. But several Cold War-era restrictions on travelling and trading are yet to be lifted.

Cuba recently scrapped a ban on its citizens from entering or leaving the island by sea. 

Carnival, who operates the cruise ship, has now been given permission to run both ships between Florida and Cuba. 

After initially stating that Cubans can only ever enter or leave via plane, the Cuban government made a U-turn on this ruling after threats of legal action from Cuban-Americans who wanted to join the cruise, and Carnaval stating that they would have to postpone the cruises until the policy was changed. 

Before Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 and before the start of the Cuban revolution cruise ships and passenger ferries were a common means of travel between Florida and Cuba. 

Tourism in Cuba has been souring in the last couple of years, especially since Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in December 2014 that they were going to mend relations. 

The Adonia will set sail every other week from Miami to Cuba and is expected to carry thousands of visitors to the communist island in the coming months. 

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Comments


    • peter fieldman

      03 May 2016 • 05:39

      It is great news for Cuba’s economy. The problem is whether the island can cope with thousands of cruise passengers in one go, although I suppose they will sleep on board. Luckily I had the chance to tour the island three years ago, before the rush. Loved it

    • kay peukert

      03 May 2016 • 08:51

      good – about time – so many cuban families in america
      kay

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