Australians keen to help communities in need while on holiday can join world-first ‘social impact’ cruises in the Caribbean, with leading Australian travel agency, Cruise Express, now onboard as a registered seller of the world’s newest cruise line, Fathom.
Launched in June this year, Fathom offers purpose-driven travellers immersive, cultural exchange programs where passengers spend their time ashore helping locals improve their quality of life.
The first season of Fathom’s pioneering cruises aboard the 710-passenger Adonia will begin on April 10, 2016, with seven-night, round-trip sailings from Miami to the Dominican Republic every week until April 24 and then fortnightly until September 25, 2016. Seven-night, round-trip cruises from Miami to Cuba aboard Adonia are planned fortnightly from May 1 to October 2, 2016, with Fathom the first company to receive sailing rights between the US and Cuba.
The new humanitarian journeys are aimed at growing numbers of socially conscious travellers keen to make lasting contributions to less well-off destinations they visit, with Fathom also hoping to foster rich and fulfilling cultural exchanges between passengers and locals.
Cruise Express Managing Director, Meg Hill, said the debut of Fathom had inspired her cruise agency, with many clients in recent years expressing a desire to give back to communities they visit on holiday but not sure how. “At Cruise Express, we believe fathom will prove very successful in tapping growing demand by caring travellers to make their holidays more meaningful,” Ms Hill said. “Travellers now have the opportunity to make personal contributions that last long after they return home. As an official agent for fathom’s cruises, we look forward to helping more Australians make lasting social impacts in this way.”
The seven-night cruises from Miami to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic will include three days ashore where passengers will work alongside locals on their choice of social impact activities, depending on their skills and interests. In Cuba, Adonia will call into three ports – Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos – offering guests a total of four days ashore to participate in local community programs.
Activities passengers can join include reforestation, clean water and cottage industry programs and the chance to work alongside local teachers to improve English skills. Before arriving in the Dominican Republic or Cuba, passengers can attend onboard education programs to learn about the culture and history of the country they will visit.
Available from April, 2016, Fathom’s seven-night cruises to the Dominican Republic are available from US$1174 per person, twin-share. From May, 2016, Fathom’s seven-night Cuban cruises are available from US$2300 per person, twin-share. Flights between Australia and Miami are additional and can be booked through Cruise Express. Bookings are available through Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au.
* Direct link to Fathom cruises – http://www.cruiseexpress.com.au/fathom-impact-tours?no_redirect=true
SOURCE: Cruise Express