First Look: Fathom's Cuba Itinerary

cuba
Photo by Joe Pike

Carnival Corp.'s new social impact travel brand, Fathom, has announced its first seven-day itinerary to Cuba.

Fathom will sail to Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba on the new itinerary, which begins May 2016. Reservations are now open for the inaugural voyage. Shore activities will focus on supporting cultural exchange and economic development for the Cuban people and include a variety of artistic, educational and humanitarian events.

Below is a sample itinerary for a seven-day journey from Miami to Cuba:

Day 1 - Havana

ACTIVITY Old City Walking Tour
SOCIAL IMPACT Economic development and micro-enterprise.
SPECIAL FEATURES Walk led by a preservationist expert.
ACTIVITY Afro-Cuban Community Meeting
SOCIAL IMPACT Connect with artist entrepreneurs and support the after-school community.
SPECIAL FEATURES Visit Muraleando, a neighborhood brought back to life and turned into a living work of art.
ACTIVITY Journalistic Perspective
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages Cubans to share their stories with the world. 
SPECIAL FEATURES Attend a special Q&A session with a well-known author from Cuba
ACTIVITY Hemingway
SOCIAL IMPACT Envisions new micro-enterprise opportunities for the Cuban people.
SPECIAL FEATURES See the fishing village of Cojimar, the setting for Ernest Hemingway's book The Old Man and the Sea.
ACTIVITY Alamar: Planned Soviet-Style Community.
SOCIAL IMPACT Understand the Cuban housing infrastructure and identifies opportunities for improvement.
SPECIAL FEATURES District of Alamar is a 1970s social housing project of Soviet-style concrete.
SPECIAL FEATURES District of Alamar is a 1970s social housing project of Soviet-style concrete.

Day 2 - Havana

ACTIVITY Rural Cuba
SOCIAL IMPACT Supports micro-entrepreneurs.
SPECIAL FEATURES Visit Las terrazas, a self-sustaining community and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
ACTIVITY Old Havana Booksellers
SOCIAL IMPACT Supports local entrepreneurs.
SPECIAL FEATURES Meet with independent Cuban booksellers at market.
ACTIVITY Casa Fuster and Fusterlandia
SOCIAL IMPACT Supports the arts.
SPECIAL FEATURES Meet a famous contemporary Cuban artist
ACTIVITY Interact with Cuban Professionals
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Engage in a specially arranged highly interactive Q&A session.
ACTIVITY Organic Farm: Visit an Organoponico (Urban Organic Farm and Agriculture + Micro-Enterprise)
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Learn about this growing agrarian movement and dine a family owned restaurant.
ACTIVITY Paladares: The Entrepreneurs of Modern Cuba
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Enjoy lunch held in privately owned restaurants or private homes.

DAY 3 - Cultural Immersion at Sea

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES
Discussion Series: Cuban History
Discussion Series:  Famous Cubans throughout history
Discussion Series: What is a Change Maker? Unleashing the gifts and talents in every human being. 
Discussion Series: Why so many Cuban doctors throughout the world?
Discussion Series: Cuban Culture, Music and Food Entertainment: Cuban Music & Dance
Cuban Book Club:  Discussion regarding popular Cuban literature and stories
Entertainment: Buena Vista Social Club
Activity:  Change Maker Program - Unleashing the Change Maker within you!
Activity:  From Aid to Enterprise (Poverty Cure, Humanitarian)
Film Series: Social Impact Film Series [FILMS TO TBD]
Film Series: Cuban Documentary Films [FILMS TO TBD]

DAY 4 - Cienfuegos  / Trinidad

ACTIVITY Elementary School Visit
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Interact with children at a primary school, while taking part in their lessons.  
ACTIVITY UNESCO World Heritage Site
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic development and micro-enterprise.
SPECIAL FEATURES Admire the colonial architecture of Cienfuegos.
ACTIVITY A Cappella Today
SOCIAL IMPACT Support after-school community development programs.
SPECIAL FEATURES Enjoy a choral performance and discussion with Choir of Cienfuegos.
ACTIVITY The Entrepreneurs of Modern Cuba
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Enjoy lunch held in privately owned restaurants or private homes.
ACTIVITY Interact with Cuban Professionals
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Engage in a specially arranged highly interactive Q&A session.
ACTIVITY Trinidad Colonial Splendor 
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic development.
SPECIAL FEATURES Explore Trinidad with a restoration expert.
ACTIVITY The People of and Life in Trinidad
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic development.
SPECIAL FEATURES Learn about traditional ceramic techniques at the Casa de la Alfarero.
ACTIVITY Interaction with Cuban Professionals in Trinidad.
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Engage in a specially arranged interactive Q&A session

DAY 5 - Santiago de Cuba

ACTIVITY Spanish & French & Afro-Cuban Heritage
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic development and micro-enterprise through a focus on the local entrepreneurs and business leadership community.
SPECIAL FEATURES Explore the culture known for rum, cigars, music and more.
ACTIVITY Economic Development Activity
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages economic development.
SPECIAL FEATURES Santiago is known for its provincial economy that relies on natural resources and its entrepreneurial residents.
ACTIVITY Elementary School Visit
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages educational progress.
SPECIAL FEATURES Interact with children at a primary school, while taking part in their lessons.
ACTIVITY The Entrepreneurs of Modern Cuba
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Enjoy lunch held in privately owned restaurants or private homes known as paladares.
ACTIVITY Interaction with Cuban Professionals
SOCIAL IMPACT Encourages independent economic activity.
SPECIAL FEATURES Engage in a specially arranged highly interactive Q&A session.

DAY 6 - Cultural Immersion at Sea

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES
Discussion Series: Cuban Economy 2015 and Beyond
Discussion Series: Cuban Culture, Music and Food
Discussion Series: Environmental Partner: Cuban Micro-Climates
Entertainment: Cuban Music & Dance
Activity: Change Maker Program
Activity: Art + Activism - Social Impact Workshop
Activity:  From Aid to Enterprise
Activity: Social Impact Scavenger Hunt
Activity: Cuban Marketplace
Film Series: Cuban Social Impact [FILMS TO TBD]
Reflection: How can I best serve and support the Cuban people?
Reflection:  How will I unleash the Change Maker within me back home?
Impact Commitment:  What commitment will I make to my onboard traveling community taking action for change?

Fathom travelers will sail aboard the 710-passenger MV Adonia, which includes specialized retail focused on empowering purpose-driven businesses and entrepreneurs and culturally and geographically relevant music and film options, as well as Cuban inspired menu options.

Special onboard programming will range from an orientation to the country's history, customs and culture, to personal enrichment activities, to conversational Spanish lessons, to guided sessions with the Fathom team to share insights, ideas, and opportunities about the future of cultural exchange travel to Cuba.

Beginning in April 2016, Fathom will also begin sailing to Amber Cove, a new port in the Dominican Republic

Prices for the seven-day trips to the Dominican Republic start at $974 per person, excluding taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three on-shore social impact activities and related supplies. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $300 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 150 days prior to departure.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and on-the-ground cultural immersion activities. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $600 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 150 days prior to departure. 

Visit www.fathom.org