Carnival Sued over Cuban Cruise Policy

US-based cruise liner giant Carnival has been hit with a class-action lawsuit for allowing “discriminatory practices” regarding the cruises to Cuba spearheaded by its recently launched social impact brand Fathom.

Namely, two Cuban-Americans, with a potential of more joining the proceedings,  filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the company with the Miami federal court claiming their civil rights were violated as they were banned from purchasing tickets  for a cruise from Miami to Cuba based solely on their place of birth, the Associated Press reported.

The Cuban government prohibits Cuban-born Americans to visit the island by sea in accordance with provisions of a law dating back to the Cold War Era, which now makes it impossible for people born in Cuba to board Fathom’s ship.

As a result Carnival has been faced with a lot of criticism for allowing such practices.

Carnival has reportedly told the plaintiffs that they have been working on resolving the matter for months, but for the time being, could not permit them to go on the cruise as it had to abide by the Cuban policy, the Miami Herald writes.

The first cruise to Cuba is scheduled for May 1st, making the company the first cruise liner to travel to Cuba from U.S. in over 50 years, following the easing of tensions between the two countries.

During each sailing, Fathom’s 704-passenger MV Adonia is scheduled to visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, three ports of call for which Carnival Corporation has obtained berthing approval.

Fathom also had to cancel the ship’s maiden voyage to the Dominican Republic as a United States Coast Guard inspection of the vessel found several issues on board the ship and could not allow it to set sail on its voyage.

MV Adonia was supposed to embark on its maiden voyage on April 10.

World Maritime News has not yet been able to reach Carnival’s Fathom for a comment on the matter.

World Maritime News Staff