Want more hot BPR News stories? Sign up for our morning blast HERE
Carnival Cruise Lines is promising a historic cruise to Cuba: Cuban-Americans need not apply.
Carnival Corporation’s Fathom Travel invites travelers to “make history” by booking the seven-day cruise to three Cuban cities. “Be among the first U.S. travelers to sail to Cuba in over 50 years,” the website proclaims.
But the cruises, which begin May 1, are not open to Cuban-born travelers, regardless of U.S. citizenship, the Miami Herald reported Thursday. There is no indication on the company’s website that there are any travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans, as it declares they are the “first cruise ship company to be granted U.S. approval for round-trip travel between the U.S. and multiple destinations in Cuba.”
Fathom further notes that the cities in the cruise itinerary are “authorized under current people-to-people travel guidelines as set forth by the U.S. government.”
The Herald’s Fabiola Santiago reportedly had her booking cancelled once she revealed she was born in Cuba. The Fathom booking agent read a statement, Santiago wrote, when explaining the cancellation:
“Current Cuban law prohibits Cuban-born individuals from entering Cuba via ship or other sea vessel, regardless of U.S. citizenship status. For that reason, at the present time, Fathom cannot accommodate Cuban-born individuals.”
Santiago asked if the company “would have been willing to take cruise ships to South Africa during the apartheid era and not carry black people because that was the law.”
The Herald writer noted:
“The itinerary promises a seven-day cruise with stops and off-shore excursions in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba, plus all the bells and whistles of cruising. Only difference is that ‘cultural immersion’ and designated ‘people-to-people’ activities are mandatory, allegedly by U.S. Treasury design. I say allegedly because Cuba’s official travel office imposes or approves itineraries. They decide with whom travelers ‘engage.’ Propaganda-peddling at its best.”
While social media users may have disagreed on whether boycotting Carnival was an effective response, many seemed to know where to place the blame.
Santiago, who came to the U.S. in 1969 in one of the historic Freedom Flights from Cuba, concluded in the Herald: “Forty-seven years in this country, 36 as a U.S. citizen, a voter — and I cannot sail on an American cruise ship because Cuba says so.”
Sign up for our morning blast HERE
.@POTUS & @JohnKerry need to fix this. BOYCOTT @CarnivalCruise for now.
Carnival cruise to Cuba discriminates https://t.co/Z4ICPXStH8
— Nick Kramarev (@NickKramarev) April 8, 2016
So you’re boycotting a company that’s following the laws of a sovereign nation… ooookay. @NickKramarev @POTUS @JohnKerry @CarnivalCruise
— AMERICAN Kafir™ (@FatBrando) April 8, 2016
Carnival Cruise lines can’t/won’t take Cuban-Americans to Cuba https://t.co/76GSAgN8Fs
— Ben Owen, HRK (@hrkbenowen) April 8, 2016
Which headline’s better in re: this story re: @CarnivalCruise https://t.co/0GSXSUuNdO
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) April 8, 2016
@MarcACaputo How about this one:@CarnivalCruise obeys the immigration laws of Cuba.
— Mike Spade (@Sporty1546) April 8, 2016
Because the best way for Cuba to become more democratic is to give in to the totalitarian regime’s demands… @CarnivalCruise
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) April 8, 2016
@MarcACaputo @CarnivalCruise Embracing tyrants doesn’t raise their standards. Instead, it lowers the standards of those who embrace them.
— CapitolHillCubans (@CapitolCubans) April 8, 2016
@CapitolCubans Terrible, but place the blame where it really belongs – with Obama for opening Cuba to business w/out requiring any reforms.
— Dan (@danieltroy) April 8, 2016
@danieltroy Fair point, but @CarnivalCruise is based in the heart of the Cuban-American community. It should be respectful of its community.
— CapitolHillCubans (@CapitolCubans) April 8, 2016
@FredMenachem @CapitolCubans @CarnivalCruise I get that Cuban-Americans would feel betrayed. But ultimately the blame should go to Obama.
— Dan (@danieltroy) April 8, 2016
@MarcACaputo @CarnivalCruise it’s not Carnival’s fault that @POTUS made another bad deal…
— Amber Skoros (@NYCdeb8tr) April 8, 2016
@MarcACaputo @CarnivalCruise Why blame Carnival? This is on the admin for doing the deal at all, and not requiring basic reforms 1st
— Dan (@danieltroy) April 8, 2016
Americans EXCEPT Cuban-Americans can take cruises to Cuba. More proof of strong Obama negotiating skills. Got owned. https://t.co/QFc0rn3YD0
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) April 8, 2016
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘Are we next?!’ Kilmeade breaks down shady FBI actions, concludes Trump justified in his outrage - August 30, 2022
- Grandfather throws down with aggressive kangaroo that attacked his dogs, but who really won? - June 4, 2022
- ‘My name is Dr. Robinson’: Proud abortionist snaps at Chip Roy calling her ‘Miss’ during hearing - May 19, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.