Carnival Cruise Line’s new “social impact” Fathom brand of small ship cruises is scheduled to begin sailing from Miami to Cuba on May 1st. However, there are problems with how the Cuban government regulates travel of Cuban-born individuals to Cuba.
Current Cuban law allows Cuban-born people to travel to Cuban by plane but not by ship. The cruise line originally intended to comply with Cuban law by not allowing Cuban-born individuals to take the cruises to Cuba. That decision cause outcry from Cuban-Americans and has resulted in a class-action suit being brought against the cruise line.
Now Carnival/Fathom has reversed their original stance regarding Cuban-born individuals and they are accepting reservations from everyone, regardless of where they were born. It is yet to be seen, however, if this move will be acceptable to the Cuban government. The cruise line says they are in the process of negotiating a solution with Cuban officials. If the issue is not resolved by May 1st, the start start date for cruises from Miami to Cuba will have to be delayed.