MIAMI, Dec. 22, 2016
/PRNewswire/ -- Fathom, one of Carnival
Corporation's (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) 10 global cruise
brands, announced it has received Cuba approval to
add stops to Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in
Cuba, on six of its upcoming cruises
to the Dominican Republic.
Travelers will enjoy two distinct experiences during one
journey. They can immerse themselves in the arts, history, culture
and everyday lives of Cuban people while in
Santiago de Cuba, as well as participate in social impact
experiences to make a meaningful difference in the Dominican Republic.
These seven-day
voyages start at $599 and will take place
during the weeks of February 26,
March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, and May 7.
"We are delighted for our travelers to have the chance to visit
such a unique and breathtaking Cuban city during such a historic
time," said Tara Russell, president
of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. "Both
Santiago de Cuba and the Dominican
Republic are magnificent, lush and full of beauty. While in
Santiago de Cuba, travelers can dive
deep into its rich and colorful history. The city served as the
capital of the Spanish colony of Cuba from 1522 to 1589, and the
watchtowers and cannons used in the Spanish-American War still
protect and guard this port city."
Added Russell: "Then, we will sail to the Dominican Republic and experience a place we
love so dearly, all during one trip. Our travelers are hungry for
ways to travel deep, connect richly and enter into the heart of our
local partner community in the Dominican, as we explore meaningful
people-to-people experiences that are tied to the local culture for
them to playfully engage during unique life-changing
adventures."
This unique journey includes a full day exploring
Santiago de Cuba. Travelers will
enjoy discovering the sights unique to the eastern side of the
island. As Cuba's second largest city, it is home to the
popular festivals of Carnaval and the Fiesta del Fuego, as well as
to many of the country's most famed musicians and artists and some
of its most-visited historic sites. Travelers can tour the
UNESCO World Heritage site of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro
Castle, explore well-known areas such as San Juan
Hill, Antonio Maceo Revolution Square, and the Plaza de Marte and
enjoy lunch in a local Paladar.
One popular shore excursion available for purchase is a
visit to Cuba's most revered Catholic shrines, Our Lady of
Charity El Cobre Church. There, travelers learn the story of the
boys who claimed to see the Blessed Virgin Mary and
then spread the word of special favors being granted
through the intercession of Our Lady of Charity.
After arriving in the early evening in the Dominican, travelers
will have one and a half days to address the areas of economic,
educational and environmental opportunities by participating
alongside locals in meaningful activities like planting trees,
helping a women's cooperative produce artisan chocolates and
building water filters for Dominican homes. Their playful and
engaging impact adventure will create new possibilities, while
finding meaning, hope, grounded perspective and new ways to engage
within communities and enrich their daily lives back home.
The new itinerary includes:
- Sunday – Depart from Port
Miami at 4:30 p.m. ET
- Monday – At sea
- Tuesday – In Santiago de Cuba from 9 a.m. ET to 6
p.m. ET
- Wednesday – Arrive in the Dominican Republic at 7
p.m. ET
- Thursday – In the Dominican
Republic
- Friday – Depart the Dominican
Republic at 1 p.m. ET
- Saturday – At sea
- Sunday – Arrive in Port
Miami at 7:30 a.m. ET
Onboard the intimate, premium and well-appointed Adonia,
travelers are accommodated with amenities of a modern hotel and
convenience of unpacking their suitcases just once, with dining,
localized entertainment and specially designed programs about Cuba
and the Dominican Republic.
Prices for seven-day itineraries to the Dominican Republic and
Santiago de Cuba start at $599, excluding taxes, fees, port expenses and
gratuities, Cuban visa, and include all meals on the ship and
lunch in Santiago de Cuba, lunch during Dominican Republic impact
activities, onboard experiences
and select on-the-ground activities. The
required Cuban travel visa is $75 per person and gratuities are estimated at
$80.50 per person. 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 90 days prior
to
departure.
To reserve a spot on future sailings, travelers may call Fathom
toll-free at 1-855-932-8466 or work with a travel
professional. Learn more at www.Fathom.org.
About Fathom Travel
Fathom pioneered a new category
of travel designed to give travelers meaningful, engaging
experiences that take people deep into the heart of a destination,
inviting rich human connections between travelers and local
people. Fathom currently offers uniquely different round-trip
voyages from Miami into the heart
of two of the Caribbean's most
desired destinations – the Dominican
Republic and Cuba – where travelers may explore the places
and discover its people in unconventional ways and for longer
amounts of time.
What sets Fathom apart is the deep human connections, along with
the rich and playful onboard and onshore journey, that was created
for travelers who want to engage deeply and experience new places
in purposeful ways. Lighthearted localized and personal
enrichment onboard activities are available for travelers of all
ages, and prepare and inform them about the communities they will
visit. Travelers will also find new ways to discover themselves
through onboard activities such as "storytelling and curiosity
workshops." On the ground, Fathom helps travelers disconnect
from the usual, and connect with new people and places to explore
the world in unexpected ways. For example, in the Dominican Republic travelers may spend time
alongside locals participating in activities that support and
amplify existing programs that matter to the local communities,
including planting trees, making chocolate and creating water
filters. In Cuba, travelers get an up-close and personal look at
the rich fabric of Cuban society as they enjoy people to people
connections with local artists, musicians, business owners and
families in the cities of Havana,
Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.
Late in 2016, Fathom began expanding and evolving to better
serve the broader audience of travelers that sail with Carnival
Corporation annually. Beginning in November 2016, the Fathom experiences on the
ground in the Dominican Republic
were made available as experiential excursions in the Dominican Republic aboard six other Carnival
Corporation brands that call on Amber
Cove, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa
Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises
UK. Additionally, Fathom experiences will soon be offered
onboard its sister brands, and in new and exciting ways in other
parts of the world.
For more information about Fathom or to book a voyage, contact
your Travel Professional, call Fathom toll-free
at 1-855-932-8466 or
visit www.Fathom.org.
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SOURCE Fathom