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