Cruise Set To Travel To Cuba Needs More Testing

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A cruise set to travel to Cuba next month is facing some problems.

The ship 'Adonia' - owned by Carnival Corporation based out of South Florida- was scheduled to travel to Dominican Republic on Sunday as part of its main voyage.

That voyage was cancelled Monday after the company said the ship needed additional testing.

The company issued a statement on the matter saying in part, "The ship arrived in Miami directly from dry dock and re-fit offshore and underwent rigorous operational tests with the U.S. Coast Guard that took longer than expected. Unfortunately, the company has learned additional testing will be required and as a result must cancel the soft-launch sailing."

All guests who were supposed to be on the ship for its main voyage will get a full reimbursement and credits toward future cruises.

Monday's cancellation will not affect the ship's first trip to Cuba scheduled for May 1st but that planned voyage has caused some controversy.

Last month, the Cuban government gave Carnival the okay to begin sailing to the island, using their new Fathom Travel line but set down some boundaries - Cubans who are no longer citizens of the country will not be allowed to travel to the island via cruise ship.

The cruise line is following the request of the Cuban government to discriminate against Cuban-born people.

The company defended their actions while also saying they would put pressure on Cuban leaders, asking them to reconsider.

They released a statement last week saying in part, "Cuba has a longstanding regulation that no Cuban-born individuals are allowed to travel to or from Cuba by ship. This regulation applies to all cruise lines, ferries and any form of shipping planning to travel to Cuba."

The statement goes on to say, "it is our hope and intention that we will be able to travel with everyone."

The itinerary from the company's website promotes seven-day cruises that include off-shore excursions in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.