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First US cruise ship in decades arrives in Cuba | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A US cruise ship has docked in the Cuban capital, Havana, after sailing from Florida - the first such crossing in more than 50 years. | |
The Adonia sailed from the port of Miami carrying some 700 passengers. | |
Cuba and the US restored diplomatic relations last year. But several Cold War-era restrictions on travelling and trading are yet to be lifted. | Cuba and the US restored diplomatic relations last year. But several Cold War-era restrictions on travelling and trading are yet to be lifted. |
The cruise trip only went ahead after Cuba scrapped a ban on its citizens entering or leaving the island by sea. | The cruise trip only went ahead after Cuba scrapped a ban on its citizens entering or leaving the island by sea. |
Cubans waved as the ship arrived and hundreds of passengers stood at the railings taking pictures. | |
Under a perfect blue sky, the white vessel docked at Havana's colonial-era old town. | |
The US company operating the cruise, Carnival, had been given permission by both governments to sail ships between Florida and Cuba. | |
A Cuban government rule stipulated, however, that Cubans could only enter or leave by plane. | A Cuban government rule stipulated, however, that Cubans could only enter or leave by plane. |
The restriction meant it could not take bookings from Americans of Cuban origin. | The restriction meant it could not take bookings from Americans of Cuban origin. |
After protests by Cuban-Americans and threats of legal action, Carnival said it would have to postpone its cruises unless the entry policy was changed. | After protests by Cuban-Americans and threats of legal action, Carnival said it would have to postpone its cruises unless the entry policy was changed. |
The Cuban authorities lifted the ban just over a week ago. | The Cuban authorities lifted the ban just over a week ago. |
Before the Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959, cruise ships and ferries were a common way to cross the Florida Straits. | Before the Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959, cruise ships and ferries were a common way to cross the Florida Straits. |
Since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in December 2014 that they had agreed to mend relations, tourism in Cuba has reached record numbers. | |
The cruise ships are expected to bring thousands more visitors to the communist-run island in the coming months, says the BBC's Will Grant. | The cruise ships are expected to bring thousands more visitors to the communist-run island in the coming months, says the BBC's Will Grant. |
The Adonia will sail every other week from Miami to Cuba, said Carnival. | The Adonia will sail every other week from Miami to Cuba, said Carnival. |