Cuban exiles to judge: Don't let Carnival discriminate
MIAMI (AP) — Two Cuban-American men are asking a Miami federal judge to guarantee that they and other Cuban exiles will not suffer discrimination on upcoming Carnival Corp. cruises to Cuba.
Previously, Carnival had said it was barring Cuban-born people from buying tickets for the Cuba cruises scheduled to begin May 1 because the Havana government prohibits Cuban nationals from departing or entering the island by sea.
Tucker Ronzetti, attorney for the Cuban exiles who sued Carnival claiming civil rights violations, said at a hearing Thursday that a judge's order would ensure the company doesn't change its latest decision.
The comparison applies to Carnival and other cruise lines because, like a hotel or a dime store lunch counter, its ships that sail from U.S. ports are considered public accommodations that must adhere to U.S. anti-discrimination law,