Carnival Corp may delay start of Cuba cruises

Carnival Corp may delay start of Cuba cruises
APRIL 18

U.S. cruise operator Carnival Corp said it may delay its voyages to
Cuba, scheduled to start on May 1, unless Cuban authorities allow
Cuban-born Americans to travel in cruise ships as they are allowed in
airlines.

Cuban-born Americans cannot visit the island by sea due to a Cuban law
that dates to the Cold War era. People born in Cuba can, however, travel
to the country on an airplane.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday condemned the world's
largest cruise operator for barring Cuban-Americans from its planned
cruises to Cuba.

The company has now said it is accepting bookings from all travelers to
Cuba, irrespective of nationality, on its 'Fathom' cruise, which is
expected to begin sailing to three Cuban cities every fortnight from May 1.

The operator of the Carnival Cruise Line said the company is continuing
discussions with Cuban authorities and is confident of a positive outcome.

Last month, the Miami, Florida-based company said it was the first
cruise ship operator to be approved to sail to Cuba in over 50 years.
However, the company is not allowed to ferry Cuban-born Americans
according to the Cuban law. (Reporting by Abhijith G in Bengaluru;
Editing by Maju Samuel)

Source: UPDATE 1-Carnival Corp may delay start of Cuba cruises | Reuters
- http://www.reuters.com/article/carnival-cuba-idUSL3N17L3VS