First US cruise ship for fifty years docks in Havana
Carnival Cruise Line’s Adonia
(CNS Business): More than 700 passengers on the first cruise in almost 50 years arrived in Havana Monday on a Carnival ship, which left Miami on Sunday. The Adonia, which is part of its Fathom cruise fleet, steamed into Cuba to be greeted by waving crowds. Although Americans still cannot legally visit Cuba as tourists, this cruise falls under one of 12 categories, including “people-to-people” and “cultural exchange” programmes offered under Fathom, Carnival’s educational programme.
Passengers on these cruises take part in the usual leisure activities but also learn from and work with locals in each port of call. The planned activities include on-shore excursions, where passengers can experience dance and musical performances, and meet with business owners, students and artists.
The Adonia will now travel to Cuba every other week, with stops in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. As well as being an historic event, it is also a clear signal of the new relationship developing between Cuba and the United States.
Among the passengers were a number of Cuban-Americans returning to their native island for the first time since they were children.
Category: Caribbean Business, Cruise Tourism, Tourism, World Business
Well ,Cuba doesn’t use Tenders, they have proper docks. They have diving, coral reefs, sea life that are a lot better then here . Why don’t we open up 1000 feet of beach on the Eastern Districts to Cruise ship tourists and serve only Cayman food . Then only allow Caymanians to operate any businesses their ( beach chairs, wave runners, Bars, rest, etc. ). We could pick any district that is interested in jobs in tourism that pays more then minimum wages.
Dave Miller
Well, this is the first “crack” in the eventual flood of cruisers to Cuba, offering cheap tours, food and beverage and NO TENDERING! For what a visitor pays for ONE beverage here they can get FOUR or FIVE in Cuba with change left over for a tip! Same goes for other attractions and amenities there. The competition is only just beginning, but WILL impact our cruise business going forward. Once stay-over options open up for Americans, the flood gates will open and Cayman will again be the loser. Has no one considered this and made preparations to meet the competition, or are we going to simply wait (and HOPE) until the “golden goose” detours north??
Factually incorrect. Cruise ships have been docking in Havana for some years now, just not ones from USA
700 passengers that didn’t go to Kayman islands