Passengers have begun snapping up cabins for US cruiseship giant Carnival’s first cruise to Cuba.

The company said this week it is still hopeful of gaining Cuban permission for a voyage in May.

"We are highly optimistic that we will receive approval soon from Cuban officials to cruise to Cuba based on the ongoing discussions. We are planning to sail May 1," Carnival spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email to the AFP news agency.

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