The first U.S. passenger cruise to Cuba in 50 years will happen in May

Carnival Cruises announced Monday the first U.S. cruise to Cuba in decades will be on May 1, 2016.

The cruise company had announced plans to schedule trips to Cuba last year, but has only just received permission from the Cuban government. 

"We will be the first cruise line from the U.S. in over half a century to sail to Cuba," Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said. "This is a historic opportunity, and we know there is pent-up demand amongst Americans who want to experience Cuba."

In Cuba, the cruises will stop at three ports, in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. The cruises are operated under Carnival's Fathom brand, which focuses on educational and volunteering opportunities. For local activities at each port, Fathom is partnering with local entrepreneurs.

The seven-day cruises leaving from Miami, Florida, will start at $1,800 per person.

"The last time someone (from the U.S.) visited was on a ship," said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. "We are humbled and honored to offer a one-of-a-kind Cuban experience to our travelers."

While Carnival will be the first U.S. cruise line to visit the island in years, Cuba is no stranger to cruise passengers: European cruise lines make regular trips.

Both Donald and Russell were in Cuba with President Obama.

The travel industry has been ramping up offerings to Cuba, even before Congress acts on the embargo. Starwood Hotels will be the first U.S. hotel company to once again operate in Cuba, and all of the major U.S. airlines have filed for routes to Cuba to begin service in the fall.

Airfares from the U.S. to Cuba are expected to drop by as much as 50%, to an average of $364, according to Hopper.

Flight search demand has quintupled compared to last year, according to the site.

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