If you’re taking a cruise from the United States anytime soon, there’s a good chance the ship won’t be stopping in Cuba.
Major cruise operators Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line both revealed on Wednesday that their vessels will no longer stop in Cuba following the US government’s decision to immediately halt authorisation for cruise travel or other leisure travel to the Caribbean island.
“Due to changes in U.S. policy, the company will no longer be permitted to sail to Cuba effective immediately,” Carnival Corporation said in a statement, according to CBC News.
The US State Department announced on Tuesday it will no longer allow cruise ships to travel from American ports to Cuba.
“Today, the United States Government announced the immediate implementation of new regulations prohibiting previously approved cruise line travel to Cuba from the United States,” Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement.
“Without warning, CLIA Cruise Line Members are forced to eliminate all Cuba destinations from itineraries effective immediately. This affects nearly 800,000 passenger bookings that are currently scheduled or already underway,”
Adam Goldstein, Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association, added: “We are disappointed that cruises will no longer be operating to Cuba. While out of our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba.”