After receiving permission from the United States, cruise giant Carnival Corp.is heading to Cuba as early as next year as part of its newly launched social impact initiative, the company said Tuesday (July 7).
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The fathom cruises to Cuba will be designed to “provide cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges between American and Cuban citizens”, the company said in an announcement. “We feel really privileged to be granted the licenses”. According to the Miami Herald, though, Carnival is still finalizing permission from the Cuban authorities and checking out available ports to sort out an exact game plan on the island.
At the end of 2014, the White House announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba and ease travel restrictions.
Carnival will conduct the trips to Cuba under a new brand called Fathom – a new social impact travel brand providing purpose-oriented, social impact experiences.
Authorized under current U.S.-to-Cuba travel guidelines, the Cuban itineraries will comply with USA Department of Treasury rules that allow licensed travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in activities that support the Cuban people. “We look forward to working with the Cuban authorities for their approval to help make the social, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between USA citizens and the people of Cuba a reality”, Carnival CEO Arnold Donald told CNBC.
“Our goal remains the same for both destinations – to enable travelers to immerse, learn, serve and flourish while making enduring, sustainable contributions on a scalable and systematic basis”, said Tara Russell, president of fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corp.
Passengers from the United States will still have to certify that they are traveling under one of the authorized categories, and they will pay a premium for the experience. The trips will have a starting cost of $2,990 per person plus taxes and port fees, which will include all activities aboard the ship and some in Cuba. The fare does not include taxes or fees, and traditional tour excursions will not be available.
The fathom brand will officially debut in April 2016 with volunteer vacation trips to the Dominican Republic.
Reservations will open for potential Cuba trips on Tuesday; deposits will be fully refundable.
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The vessels are not allowed to stop at other counties, so don’t expect Cuba to become one of four or five stops on a typical Caribbean cruise anytime soon. And European operator MSC Cruises announced just last week that it will base a 2,680-passenger ship in Havana this winter.
