Vanessa Wright Vanessa Wright
Carnival has created Fathom brand cruises, using the 710 passenger Adonia that combines travel with activities that improve living conditions in the countries visited.

Some travel writers have dubbed this the perfect cruise for “do-gooders” while public relations people will see the program as an extension of “Corporate Social Responsibility,” an activity found in most companies and referred to as CSR.

O'Dwyer's July '16 Travel & Tourism PR MagazineThis article is featured in O'Dwyer's July '16 Travel & Tourism PR Magazine

Initial seven-day “social impact” cruises are going to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Starting prices are $2,990 for Cuba and $1,540 for the Dominican Republic.

Carnival has dropped the price to Dominican Republic to as low as $499 (plus taxes and tips) for 2016 in order to fill the ship. Prices vary based on cabin grade.

“Social impact” activities are not allowed in Cuba. Travelers are urged to talk to the Cuban people and learn about the Cuban culture. Carnival is describing it as a “cultural exchange” and a “people to people exchange.”

First cruises to Cuba in 40 years

The trips to Cuba are the first U.S. cruises to that island in 40 years. Diplomatic relations were restored on July 20, 2015 and President Obama in March 2016 became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Cuba in more than 85 years.

Dominican Republic visitors have the opportunity to participate in “social impact activities” such as helping school children to learn English or helping residents to build water filtration systems since clean water is a high priority on the islands.

Adonia
Cruise ship Adonia belongs to Carnival’s social impact brand, Fathom.

Travelers are not required to take part in such activities. They can concentrate on traditional cruise life including side trips to various destinations on the islands.

This writer took one of the bi-weekly trips to the Dominican Republic and found that most fellow travelers became immersed in what is being called “traveling deep.” The country is one of the poorest in the Caribbean with more than 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line.

Fathom challenges travelers to travel selflessly, to go beyond just going from one place to another. They can make a positive impact on the lives of those in countries that they visit.

Rich, unique travel experience

“Fathom delivers a rich, engaging travel experience that doesn’t exist elsewhere in the world,” said Tara Russell, President of Fathom and Global Impact Lead, Carnival Corp.

Carnival is the world’s biggest cruise line with ten global brands that carry 11 million passengers yearly. Russell, before joining Carnival, was founder and CEO of Create Common Good, a non-profit that provides training and employment to refugees and a wide variety of other populations with barriers to employment.

The RePapel project
The RePapel project turns wasted paper into recycled paper products that are sold to consumers. Travelers can help local entrepreneurs generate income and achieve more flexible work schedules.

“From salsa and mojito making lessons to Stanford storytelling workshops and Curiosity Atlas courses, travelers can find their place at home at sea through many exciting and fun opportunities. Our on-ground social impact activities allow us to come alongside our Dominican friends and partners to help further their missions for far greater collective impact. We’re honored and grateful to pioneer this new category of travel and bring Fathom to life.”Russell said, “We bring people who long to travel deeply together for a transformative journey that offers engaging onboard content, designed to immerse travelers deeply into the region and their community onboard.

Impact activities start on day one

Social impact activities start on the first day out of port as those interested in such activities take lessons in Spanish.

Travelers going to the Dominican Republic can pick from eight general types of activities that will be available: Reforestation & Nursery; Conversation in English with adults; Conversation in English with students; Assisting in construction of water filtration systems; Providing concrete floors in community homes; Taking part in creative arts, music and sports; Working with the Women’s Chocolate Cooperative; and Helping entrepreneurs recycled paper and craft projects.

$80 million Carnival facility

Carnival Corp. has created its own port in Amber Cove, the line’s private island in Puerto Plata, for Adonia and its other ships. It is a resort destination with shops, restaurants, cabanas, swimming pool with swim-up bar and areas for children to play.

Fathom has partnered with local community development organization, Entrena, created by U.S. citizen John Seibel, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and his wife Sobeya, a DR citizen, in order to facilitate the social impact activities in Puerta Plata.

It is also partners with Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a local social impact non-profit. Both organizations have more than 30 years in public service.

If you take a cruise to Dominican Republic via Fathom you will understand that although your stay there was limited in time, you will have a lasting impact on the country and the people.

Carnival Vista is largest ship

Carnival, an American and British-owned company founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and based in Doral, Fla., pioneered the concept of shorter, less expensive cruises.

A wide range of activities are offered by Carnival which calls its ships “The Fun Ships.” Trademark is the funnel of the ships which is red, white and blue and shaped like a whale’s tail. The mascot for Carnival is “Fun Ship Freddy,” a character in the shape of the funnel.

Amber CoveCarnival Corporation’s new cruise port, Amber Cove, located on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast.

Carnival has 25 ships operating three to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Other brands of Carnival besides Fathom include Costa, Cunard Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises U.K., P&O Cruises Australia, Seaborne, ultra-luxury cruise line, and Aida, German cruise line based in Rostock, Germany.

Its newest ship, Carnival Vista, debuted in Spring 2016. It is 1,062 feet long and has a passenger capacity of 3,954 and a gross tonnage of 133,500.

Its features include the first IMAX theater at sea, the first brewpub at sea, and an open-air, pedal-powered SkyRide.

Entertainment and restaurants include the Punchliner Comedy Club, Alchemy Bar, Bluelguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar and Guy’s Burger Joint.

Many of the restaurants provide outdoor seating.

An innovation is the Carnival Vista’s Family Harbor cabins and the new Havana Cabanas which have private patios and direct access to the exclusive Havana Bar and pool.

The Carnival Destiny at 101,000 gross tons, built in 1996, held the previous record as the largest passenger ship in the world. It was the first to top 100,000 tons.

Carnival Dream, launched in 2009, then became the largest ship at 128,000 tons. After several voyages in the Mediterranean it then offered weekly Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from December 2009.

A sister ship, Carnival Magic, was launched on May 1, 2011. Carnival Breeze became the third Dream-class vessel in June 2012.

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Vanessa Wright is director of training at Cruise.com.