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Cruises To Cuba Set To Sail From Miami

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – This fall, 115 scheduled airline flights a day will begin service to airports throughout Cuba.  But the jets won't get there first.  A not-so-slow boat to Havana will beat them.

Carnival Cruise Line's Fathom division will begin weekly cruises to Cuba beginning May 1st.  Fathom President Tara Russell has worked more than two years to make it happen.

"We're truly honored and humbled that we were the first to receive both U.S. approval and Cuban approval to sail," Russell told CBS4's Gary Nelson.

The 705 passenger ship MV Adonia will carry visitors from Port Miami to Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago De Cuba, circumnavigating the island on seven night voyages.

The trips are billed as cultural excursions, but a good time is promised.

"We have so many fun things on board.  We have dance lessons, fun conversational Spanish, Cuban food, Cuban musicians; we have bands coming on board," Russell said.

On shore there will be visits to museums and farms, but also restaurants and clubs.  The cruises will provide considerable upside for Cuban business.

"The transportation infrastructure, the bus companies; everyone now has opportunities that they didn't have before," said Russell.

Before, travel to Cuba involved burdensome bureaucracy.  Individual travelers had to jump through an array of paperwork hoops, but not if you book a cruise now.

"We handle the affidavits, we handle the visas, we handle the medical insurance, all the things that are necessary to travel to Cuba," said Russell.  "They can be complex, but we take care of it all."

Cuban cruising has its critics.  Florida Governor Rick Scott recoiled at the plans when they were announced last year.

"The Obama administration is basically rewarding the Castro brothers for not doing the right things.  They don't believe in democracy, they don't believe in political freedom," Scott said on July 8th.

Those at the helm of expanded travel, however, see rewards on the horizon.

"I have a lot of empathy and sensitivity to the past, but I also really hope that we all have the courage to look forward differently," said Russell, who is convinced that for the U.S. and the Cuban people cruising will prove to be a bon voyage.

Those wanting to take the inaugural cruise on May 1st need to hurry.  The ship is filling up fast.  As of midday Wednesday, the least expensive cabin still available cost about $4,500 per person, including taxes and fees.

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