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Fathom opens bookings to all travelers, will delay if Cuban Americans can't go

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Carnival hopeful Cuba will adjust its policy before Adonia's May 1 Cuba voyage (Photo: Giora Israel)
Carnival Corp. & plc's Fathom brand, which has been under fire for not taking bookings from Cuban Americans due to Cuban regulations, is now accepting bookings from all travelers.

The company said it remains hopeful Cuba will adjust its policy before Fathom's May 1 Cuba voyage but, if not, Adonia's Cuba sailings will be delayed.

Carnival said it is continuing discussions with Cuba to allow cruise ships to operate in the same manner as current air charter operations, which transport Cuba-born individuals to and from Cuba.

'We want everyone to be able to go to Cuba with us,' said Arnold Donald, ceo of Carnival Corp. 'We remain excited about this historic opportunity to give our guests an extraordinary vacation experience in Cuba.'

Fathom has updated its reservations process and all travelers can book its cruises to Cuba, including Cuban-born individuals.

Speaking Monday aboard Adonia's maiden sailing to the Dominican Republic, Donald indicated the nature of the company’s discussions with Cuban officials was encouraging.

'The conversations are really good. We expect everything to be fine. We expect to sail May 1,' he told reporters.

 Cuban officials have been taking their time to consider whether there may be any unintended consequences of altering a longstanding regulation.

 'It's not just about us. They have to think it through. I fully respect that,' Donald said.

Fathom is scheduled to begin sailing its 704-passenger Adonia to Cuba every other week starting on May 1, marking the first time in over 50 years that a cruise ship has sailed from the US to Cuba.