Carnival Brand Plans to Start Cuba Cruises May 1

Carnival Brand Plans to Start Cuba Cruises May 1
CRUISE | THERESA NORTON MASEK | SEPTEMBER 03, 2015

While still awaiting approval from Cuban authorities, Carnival Corp.'s
new Fathom brand is proceeding with plans to sail to the island nation
starting in the spring.
"Our intention is for the first trip to depart May 1, if not before,"
Fathom President Tara Russell told reporters on a press trip in the
Dominican Republic.
The itineraries will likely include three destinations in Cuba — the
capital of Havana, Santiago de Cuba in the southeast, and Cienfuegos on
the southern coast, she said.
The cruises will offer cultural exchange programs with Cuban artists,
small business owners, food producers, musicians and filmmakers. That
programming would qualify for the People-to-People licenses authorized
by the U.S. Treasury Department to allow travel to Cuba. In July,
Carnival Corp. received approval from the U.S. government for Cuba
cruises, but was waiting for the OK from Cuban authorities. On Aug. 31,
Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald told reporters in a video conference
that there was "nothing to report" relating to Cuba approvals.
Fathom was designed as a "social impact" brand offering cruises with
volunteer experiences and "impact travel activities" in the Dominican
Republic starting in April aboard the 700-passenger Adonia. Shortly
after Carnival announced the brand in June, it revealed that it would
alternate weekly departures to Cuba.
Russell described Fathom as "a different kind of cruise that combines
your love of travel with your desire to make a difference."
Lead fares initially announced were $2,990 for Cuba and $1,540 for the
Dominican Republic, but have come down to $1,600 and $974, respectively,
according to the website on Sept. 3.

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