Carnival sets sail for Cuba

Obama kicked off the week with a historic face-to-face meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana.

It has been affirmed that the Carnival Cruise ships are among the lucky ones to be granted access to roam the coast of Cuba.

Carnival, in hailing its "historic inaugural sailing", said it will be the first cruise line to sail that itinerary. "We are the first U.S.-based cruise company in 50 years to sail from the United States to Cuba". Two other Miami-based companies, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, have expressed interest but say the USA embargo remains an obstacle. Its Cruise Support segment includes its cruise port and related facilities located in Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, Roatan, Honduras and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

But don't expect all ships to begin sailing to Cuba immediately.

Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, and Tara Russell, president of Fathom, announced the news on a late Monday media call.

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Join Fathom in Cuba from Fathom Travel on Vimeo. It offers cruises under the Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn brands in North America; and Costa, AIDA, P&O; Cruises (UK), Cunard, and P&O; Cruises (Australia) brands in Europe, Australia, and Asia. The Carnival Corp. voyages will travel to and from PortMiami in Miami with stops in Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.

Meanwhile, onboard Adonia, guests will be able to participate in a range of activities, including an orientation of Cuba's history, customs and culture; conversational Spanish lessons; and various other personal enrichment activities.

"We believe there is no better way to experience so much of Cuba in seven days", Donald said.

Cruises aboard the 704-passenger Adonia will depart Miami on Sundays and arrive in Havana at 11 a.m. on Mondays.

Prices for the seven-day trip start at $1,800 a person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, on-board experiences and several on-the-ground activities.