Cruise Lines Ordered to Pay Millions for Using ‘Trafficked’ Cuban Port Country Seized During Castro’s Reign

Multiple cruise lines were ordered by a federal judge on Friday to pay more than $400 million in fines and damages for using a Cuban port that was seized from its American owner during Castro’s reign and committing “prohibited tourism” in the country.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom forces four cruise line companies–Carnival, MSC SA, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian–to pay over $400 million in damages to Havana Docks, the company with legal claims over the Havana docks used, after they committed “trafficking acts” by using the ports to bring tourists in the country in Cuba, according to the Miami Herald.

These four cruise lines have their primary place of business in Florida despite being registered outside of the U.S.

Bloom’s decision comes from what appears to be a violation of the Helms-Burton Act, which punishes those who use confiscated property in Cuba. Among the damages is Norwegian Cruise Line, which has been fined to pay $110 million in damages to Havana Docks, as well as $3 million in additional fees and costs, Reuters reported.

The decision is being hailed as a major win for the Cuban exiles whose companies and properties were seized by the Cuban government during the rise of Fidel Castro. Many are seeing this as a possible avenue for claiming reparations over the properties that were seized from them by the Cuban government.

“After decades of pursuing its legal rights, Havana Docks is one step closer to justice. Havana Docks appreciates Judge Bloom’s thorough and careful review of the facts and law,” Bob Martinez, from Havana Docks’ legal defense team, said.

The companies have largely not spoken publicly about their opinions regarding the ruling, though a spokesperson from Carnival has said that they “engaged in lawful travel explicitly licensed, authorized, and encouraged by the U.S. government.”

The U.S. started allowing citizens to travel into Cuba for the first time in 2016, but this easing of the embargo was curtailed by the Trump administration in 2019 as a way of pressuring Cuba against its support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.