Carnival Corporation will sail to Cuba in a new deal, the world’s largest cruise ship company announced Tuesday. Princess, the parent company of Carnival, will launch seven-day “people-to-people” travel to the island beginning in May 2016. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Commerce granted the company approval to begin traveling to Cuba.
The cruises will be operated bi-weekly out of Miami by the newly launched fathom brand of the company, providing purpose-oriented, social impact-focused experiences. The brand will debut in April 2016 with volunteer vacations to the Dominican Republic.
Carnival didn’t release details of the itineraries planned for the Cuba trips as it is still needed the approval of the Cuban authorities.
Beginning in April 2016, the cruises to Cuba are expected to set sail via MV Adonia, a 710-passenger cruise ship, redeployed from Carnival Corporation UK brand. The seven-day voyages will depart from Port Miami. Fathom’s first impact destination will be Amber Cove, the new port of call of the company which is in the north of the Domenican Republic and will serve as home base.
As part of regulations, passengers from the U.S. will have to certify that they fall under one of the 12 categories of authorized travel, including educational activities, humanitarian projects or people-to-people programs. Prices for seven-day cruises to Dominican Republic will start at $1,540, whereas, itineraries to Cuba are $2,990.