Carnival to sail the first cruise ship to Cuba May 1

This undated file photo provided by Carnival Corp. shows the 710-passenger Adonia ship. Starting in May 2016, Carnival Corp., plans to offer trips from Miami to Cuba. The trips will be through its new brand, Fathom (Uncredited / AP)


Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise company, will sail a ship to Cuba on May 1, the first cruise voyage from the U.S. in more than 50 years, the Miami company's chief executive announced from the island nation.

During a conference call from Havana, Carnival CEO Arnold Donald said that the Adonia, part of the company's Fathom cruise brand, will leave from Miami, carrying 704 passengers for a week-long trip to Cuba.

Donald made the announcement as President Obama was wrapping up a visit to Cuba to push for normalizing relations with its communist government.

The Adonia ship will make ports of call in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. The ship will sail every other week.

"It's an extraordinary day," Donald said. "We are truly honored."

Although the Adonia is one of the smaller ships in the Carnival fleet, the chief executive said he hopes the first cruise can pave the way to bring Carnival's larger brands to the island.


cradit by;http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cuba-carnival-cruise-20160321-story.html'