Decided
Havana Docks Corporation v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
Holding
In action filed by the Havana Docks Corporation pursuant to Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, related to its property interest in the operation of docks at the Port of Havana, respondent cruise lines’ use of the docks is sufficient to establish that they used “property which was confiscated by the Cuban Government;” Havana Docks is not required to establish that the cruise lines “trafficked” in Havana Dock’s property interest.
Judgment
Vacated and remanded, 8-1, in an opinion by Clarence Thomas on May 21, 2026. Justice Sotomayor wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Kavanaugh. Justice Kagan wrote a dissenting opinion.
Vote
8
1
ThomasRobertsAlitoSotomayorGorsuchKavanaughBarrettJackson
Kagan
Related Coverage
Mar 6, 2025Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 14, 2025)Mar 14, 2025Brief amici curiae of Representative Mario Díaz-Balart, et al. filed.Mar 17, 2025Waiver of right of respondents Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., et al. to respond filed.
Mar 19, 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/4/2025.
Mar 25, 2025Response Requested. (Due April 24, 2025)
Apr 2, 2025Motion to extend the time to file a response from April 24, 2025 to May 23, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.Apr 3, 2025Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including May 23, 2025.
May 23, 2025Brief of respondents Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., et al. in opposition filed.Jun 6, 2025Reply of petitioner Havana Docks Corporation filed. (Distributed)Jun 10, 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/26/2025.
Jun 30, 2025The Solicitor General is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.
Aug 13, 2025Supplemental brief of petitioner Havana Docks Corporation filed.Aug 27, 2025Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.Sep 10, 2025DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
Sep 10, 2025Supplemental brief of respondents Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 3, 2025Petition GRANTED.
Nov 17, 2025Brief of petitioner Havana Docks Corporation filed.Nov 17, 2025Joint appendix filed. (Statement of cost filed)Nov 24, 2025Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.Nov 24, 2025Brief amici curiae of Representative Mario Díaz-Balart, et al. filed.Nov 24, 2025Brief amicus curiae of Daniel W. Fisk filed.Dec 17, 2025Brief of respondents Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., et al. filed.Dec 22, 2025Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.Dec 24, 2025Brief amici curiae of U.S. Travel Association, et al. filed.Dec 29, 2025Brief amicus curiae of Cruise Lines International Association filed.Jan 2, 2026SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Jan 5, 2026Record requested from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Jan 12, 2026Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Jan 15, 2026Record received from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and available with the Clerk (one envelope).
Jan 16, 2026Reply of petitioner Havana Docks Corporation filed.Jan 21, 2026CIRCULATED
Jan 23, 2026Record received from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The record is electronic and is available on PACER.
Feb 23, 2026Argued. For petitioner: Richard D. Klingler, Washington, D. C.; and Aimee Brown, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondents: Paul D. Clement, Alexandria, Va.
May 21, 2026Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Thomas, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Alito, Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Jackson, JJ., joined. Sotomayor, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Kavanaugh, J., joined. Kagan, J., filed a dissenting opinion.
Jun 22, 2026Judgment Issued.Aug 5, 2026Record returned to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Recommended Citation: Havana Docks Corporation v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/havana-docks-corporation-v-royal-caribbean-cruises-ltd/