Carnival Cruise Line will continue cruises to Cuba despite last week’s State Department travel warning, according to John Heald, the line’s brand ambassador.
“While members and relatives of the U.S. diplomatic corps have suffered illnesses apparently triggered by occurrences t the diplomatic offices or possibly their homes, none of the more than 475,000 other Americans visiting Cuba this year have reported similar health issues related to their visits,” Carnival said in a statement Heald shared on his Facebook page. “We are, of course, closely monitoring and are in touch with U.S., as well as Cuban authorities, and will act accordingly if anything warrants a change in our plans.”
Carnival further said that its guests’ visas remain valid for Cuba travel, and that there will be no issues with guests’ returns to the United States. The State Department advisory does not prohibit Americans from traveling to Cuba, Carnival noted.
Last week the State Department issued a new travel warning for Cuba, citing a series of sonic attacks against State Department employees that have led to hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping. The attacks occurred both in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens.
Because the State Department has been unable to identify the source of the attacks, it has ordered the departure of all nonemergency U.S. government employees and their family members. As a result, the embassy will be limited to providing emergency assistance only to U.S. travelers.
Travelers can still contact the embassy for emergency assistance at +(53)(7) 839-4100 or the Department of State at 1-202-501-4444.
Norwegian Cruise Line also reports that it will continue to operate its Cuba cruises, noting that there have been no reported incidents involving tourists or other cruise ship passengers.
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