First cruise from the U.S. to Cuba in decades is headed to Havana

For the first time in decades, a cruise ship from the United States is on its way to Cuba.

About 700 passengers are aboard the Adonia, part of Carnival's Fathom cruise line, which set sail Sunday from Miami. The seven-day cruise will feature activities highlighting Cuban culture and will stop in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. Carnival had said the cruise wouldn't happen unless the Cuban government overturned a ban on letting people born in Cuba arrive in the country by ship, and it was lifted last month. Six of the passengers were born in Cuba.

A small group of protesters huddled on a small boat near the Adonia, holding a sign reading, "Castro why do you ask Cubans for a Visa to visit their own country?" Passenger Gary Carlson told CNN he didn't understand the protest, "because it's time to put those things behind us. Really, the big issue is government to government, not people to people, and that's what we're excited about participating in."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up