Voluntourism Line Fathom Reveals Cuba Cruise Details

Voluntourism Line Fathom Reveals Cuba Cruise Details
September 2, 2015

(4:40 p.m. EDT) -- Fathom, the new one-ship cruise line that aims to
bring voluntourism and social impact to cruising, revealed details today
about its Cuba itineraries.

The Carnival Corp. line, which began with a focus on the Dominican
Republic's North Coast, has added Cuba as a destination since that
country is growing in appeal and opportunity.

During a sneak preview of Fathom's community-based programming near
Puerto Plata today, Fathom chief Tara Russell said that the Cuba program
would focus on Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.

While much is still in flux, Russell said that cultural immersion,
including art and film, would be a major focus in Cuba. The activities
on the Cuba trips won't be as focused on voluntourism as those in the
Dominican Republic will be.

Fathom has already received approval from the U.S. government for the
sailings, based on its anticipated people-to-people focus. The line does
not have its approval yet from the Cuban government; Russell said the
line is having an ongoing conversation, and efforts are gaining steam.

The first Fathom sailing will depart from Miami aboard 700-passenger
Adonia, on May 1. Thereafter, the line will alternate weeklong
Miami-based sailings to the Dominican Republic's Amber Cove, a new
purpose-built cruise facility just outside of Puerto Plata, with
weeklong cruises from Miami to Cuba.

Fathom's team also showed off some of the volunteer opportunities that
cruise passengers will be able to experience. They include the chance to
help make chocolate with a local woman's coalition, work with 7th grade
students to support English language teaching and assisting with a newly
developed water filtration product that can help raise sanitation levels
for rural families.

--By Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief

Source: Voluntourism Line Fathom Reveals Cuba Cruise Details - Fathom -
Cruise Critic - http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6517