The first US cruise ship bound for Cuba in half a century set sail from Miami Sunday, marking a new milestone following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the former Cold War foes.

The Adonia, a vessel from the Carnival cruise's Fathom line, raised its anchors and set out at about 4:00 pm local time (2000 GMT) with some 700 passengers aboard. It was due to arrive at the port of Havana on Monday morning.