Carnival Paradise Docks in Havana

Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Paradise docked in Havana this afternoon after a joyful sailing from Tampa Bay, Florida.

The 260-meter-long vessel carried 2,400 passengers willing to take a closer look at a country that now seems to be a tad off limits once again.

Authorities from Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism and news media organizations hailed passengers as they descended from the Carnival Paradise upon arrival.

Carnival's inaugural cruise from Port Tampa Bay to Havana got off to a partying start despite the recent pullback on the easing of travel and trade restrictions by the Trump Administration.

But there was no sign of politics at the reception. Carnival gave a $25,000 check to the Ybor City Museum Society. Drinks flowed, music played, people danced and what was claimed to be the longest Cuban sandwich at sea was cut by Anderson and others.

But the biggest moment of the day, quipped John Heald, Carnival's brand ambassador, was the unveiling of a Cuban sandwich made by the cruise's senior chef for the occasion.

It was 10 feet long and contained 5 pounds of sliced ham, 50 pounds of pork, 6 pounds of swiss cheese and 1 gallon each of dill pickles, mustard and mayonnaise.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Heald said. "This is officially the world's largest ever Cuban sandwich at sea."