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April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. cruise operator Carnival Corp (NYSE:CCL)
CCL.N said it may delay its voyages to Cuba, scheduled to
start on May 1, unless Cuban authorities allow Cuban-born
Americans to travel in cruise ships as they are allowed in
airlines.
Cuban-born Americans cannot visit the island by sea due to a
Cuban law that dates to the Cold War era. People born in Cuba
can, however, travel to the country on an airplane.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday condemned the
world's largest cruise operator for barring Cuban-Americans from
its planned cruises to Cuba.
The company has now said it is accepting bookings from all
travelers to Cuba, irrespective of nationality, on its 'Fathom'
cruise, which is expected to begin sailing to three Cuban cities
every fortnight from May 1.
The operator of the Carnival (LON:CCL) Cruise Line said the company is
continuing discussions with Cuban authorities and is confident
of a positive outcome.
Last month, the Miami, Florida-based company said it was the
first cruise ship operator to be approved to sail to Cuba in
over 50 years. However, the company is not allowed to ferry
Cuban-born Americans according to the Cuban law.