Carnival Corporation, the world’s biggest travel and leisure firm, plans to launch cruises to Cuba in May, following the historic thaw between the communist nation and the United States.
AIRBNB LAUNCHES CUBA LISTINGS FOR US TOURISTS
The US Treasury Department and Commerce Department granted the company approval for the plans, Carnival announced Tuesday, though it has yet to receive Cuban authorization.
The cruises will leave from Miami, and will be operated by the company’s new brand called “fathom,” which offers positive “social impact” travel experiences to developing nations.
It will mark the first cruises from the US to Cuba since the two countries severed ties in 1961.
Under the new initiative, some 37,000 travelers a year will either volunteer or be immersed in educational and cultural exchanges in local communities, according to Carnival.
The Cuban trips will be full-week sailings, and will take place in addition to similar voyages to the Dominican Republic that will start in April 2016.
The announcement comes amid a rapprochement between Cuban and the United States that began in December after half a century of enmity between the Cold War foes.
the two countries announced, just days ago, they were re-establishing ties and reopening their respective embassies in each other’s country.
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