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Fathom Announces Intended Ports of Call, 7-Day Itinerary to Cuba

Carnival Corporation's new social impact brand plans to visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba Typical Fathom itineraries will feature visits to arts, educational, cultural and historic sites, local musical performances, dinners in private home restaurants and more

September 30, 2015 7:40 AM EDT

SEATTLE, Wash., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel and Carnival Corporation's (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) 10th and newest brand, today announced that it intends to visit three ports of call in Cuba -- Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. It also unveiled the intended 7-day itinerary that Fathom travelers will experience featuring an authentic Cuban cultural immersion – part learning, part sharing, and all immersion into the Cuban culture and full connection with the Cuban people.

Launched in June 2015, Fathom made history in July in receiving U.S. approval to sail from the U.S. to Cuba, and it is working to finalize Cuban approval. Currently Fathom is accepting reservations for its inaugural voyage to Cuba beginning in May 2016.

Today's announcement gives travelers preliminary information about the three ports Fathom intends to visit, along with insight into the proposed itinerary for the 7-day journey and the experiences that will take place in Cuba – which will focus on supporting cultural exchange and economic development for the Cuban people and include a variety of artistic, educational and humanitarian activities.

Below is a sample itinerary for a 7-day journey from Miami to Cuba:

 

DAY 1 - Havana

DAY 2 – Havana

ACTIVITY

Old City Walking Tour

ACTIVITY

Rural Cuba

SOCIAL IMPACT

Economic development and micro-enterprise.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Supports micro-entrepreneurs.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Walk led by a preservationist expert.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Visit Las terrazas, a self-sustaining community and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

ACTIVITY

Afro-Cuban Community Meeting

ACTIVITY

Old Havana Booksellers

SOCIAL IMPACT

Connect with artist entrepreneurs and support the after-school community.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Supports local entrepreneurs.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Visit Muraleando, a neighborhood brought back to life and turned into a living work of art.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Meet with independent Cuban booksellers at market.

ACTIVITY

Journalistic Perspective

ACTIVITY

Casa Fuster and Fusterlandia

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages Cubans to share their stories with the world. 

SOCIAL IMPACT

Supports the arts.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Attend a special Q&A session with a well-known author from Cuba

SPECIAL FEATURES

Meet a famous contemporary Cuban artist

ACTIVITY

Hemingway

ACTIVITY

Interact with Cuban Professionals

SOCIAL IMPACT

Envisions new micro-enterprise opportunities for the Cuban people.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages economic activity.

SPECIAL FEATURES

See the fishing village of Cojimar, the setting for Ernest Hemingway's book The Old Man and the Sea.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Engage in a specially arranged highly interactive Q&A session.

 

DAY 1 – Havana (continued)

DAY 2 – Havana (continued)

ACTIVITY

Alamar: Planned Soviet-Style Community.

ACTIVITY

Organic Farm: Visit an Organoponico (Urban Organic Farm and Agriculture + Micro-Enterprise)

SOCIAL IMPACT

Understand the Cuban housing infrastructure and identifies opportunities for improvement.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages independent economic activity.

SPECIAL FEATURES

District of Alamar is a 1970s social housing project of Soviet-style concrete.

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

DAY 4 - Cienfuegos  / Trinidad

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Discussion Series: Cuban History

ACTIVITY

Elementary School Visit

Discussion Series:  Famous Cubans throughout history

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages independent economic activity.

Discussion Series: What is a Change Maker? Unleashing the gifts and talents in every human being. 

SPECIAL FEATURES

Interact with children at a primary school, while taking part in their lessons.  

Discussion Series: Why so many Cuban doctors throughout the world?

ACTIVITY

UNESCO World Heritage Site

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages economic development and micro-enterprise.

Discussion Series: Cuban Culture, Music and Food Entertainment: Cuban Music & Dance

SPECIAL FEATURES

Admire the colonial architecture of Cienfuegos.

Cuban Book Club:  Discussion regarding popular Cuban literature and stories

ACTIVITY

A Cappella Today

SOCIAL IMPACT

Support after-school community development programs.

Entertainment: Buena Vista Social Club

SPECIAL FEATURES

Enjoy a choral performance and discussion with Choir of Cienfuegos.

Activity:  Change Maker Program - Unleashing the Change Maker within you!

ACTIVITY

The Entrepreneurs of Modern Cuba

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages independent economic activity.

Activity:  From Aid to Enterprise (Poverty Cure, Humanitarian)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Enjoy lunch held in privately owned restaurants or private homes.

Film Series: Social Impact Film Series [FILMS TO TBD]

Film Series: Cuban Documentary Films [FILMS TO TBD]

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

DAY 6 - Cultural Immersion at Sea

ACTIVITY

Spanish & French & Afro-Cuban Heritage

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Discussion Series: Cuban Economy 2015 and Beyond

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages economic development and micro-enterprise through a focus on the local entrepreneurs and business leadership community.

Discussion Series: Cuban Culture, Music and Food

Discussion Series: Environmental Partner: Cuban Micro-Climates

SPECIAL FEATURES

Explore the culture known for rum, cigars, music and more.

Entertainment: Cuban Music & Dance

Activity: Change Maker Program

ACTIVITY

Economic Development Activity

Activity: Art + Activism - Social Impact Workshop

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages economic development.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Santiago is known for its provincial economy that relies on natural resources and its entrepreneurial residents.

Activity:  From Aid to Enterprise

Activity: Social Impact Scavenger Hunt

Activity: Cuban Marketplace

ACTIVITY

Elementary School Visit

Film Series:  Cuban Social Impact [FILMS TO TBD]

SOCIAL IMPACT

Encourages educational progress.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Interact with children at a primary school, while taking part in their lessons.

Reflection: How can I best serve and support the Cuban people?

Reflection:  How will I unleash the Change Maker within me back home?

ACTIVITY

The Entrepreneurs of Modern Cuba

Impact Commitment:  What commitment will I make to my onboard traveling community taking action for change?

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.

"Cuba is a magnetic, beautiful country with tremendous opportunity for the Cuban people and for Fathom travelers to immerse, learn, grow and flourish through educational and cultural exchange experiences that we will offer," said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. "Fathom travelers will have the chance to interact, one-on-one, with artists, musicians, small business owners, health workers and others to learn about all aspects of Cuban society and to connect and share insights and stories, leading to further progress for the Cuban people."

Russell added: "We believe there is tremendous pent up demand in the marketplace to visit this extraordinary country – particularly in the U.S. where travelers are eager to experience Cuba – so we wanted to share as much of the country as possible."

According to Russell, each of the three ports of call is unique and was selected to provide distinctly different Cuban experiences. For example:

  • Havana: Cuba's colorful capital is popular for its exciting collection of Spanish-influenced castles, cathedrals, mansions and museums, and may be best known for historic Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 900 landmarks. One of the most culturally rich urban centers in the world and once home to Ernest Hemingway, Havana features a lively music and entertainment scene, an eclectic mix of inspirational museums and art galleries, some of the world's best ballet schools and dance companies, and much more.
  • Cienfuegos: Considered an architectural jewel of French influence and known as "the Pearl of the South," this city is popular among diving enthusiasts for an undersea maze of coral columns along the coastline called Notre Dame. Among its many attractions, Cienfuegos boasts an imposing fortress – Castillo de Jagua – built to protect the city from attacks and widely recognized as one of Cuba's most important military structures.
  • Santiago de Cuba: Cuba's second-largest city, Santiago de Cuba is infused with a distinctly Caribbean spirit. The traditional site of two popular festivities – Carnaval and the Fiesta del Fuego – the city encompasses a diverse assortment of architectural influences, from the El Morro castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), to the Parque Céspedes in the bustling historic quarter, to the glorious Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba's most sacred pilgrimage site.

The Cuban itinerary provided has been designed in full compliance with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that allow licensed travel companies to transport travelers to Cuba to engage in activities that support the Cuban people and Fathom is working to finalize the details around the proposed itinerary with its partners.

Fathom travelers will sail aboard the 710-passenger MV Adonia where they may take part in robust onboard experiences customized to this unique travel encounter, including 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 include a wide variety of activities covering an array of interests, ranging from an orientation to the country's history, customs and culture, to casual fun 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.

Fathom Also Begins Sailing to Dominican Republic in April 2016

In addition, beginning in April 2016, Fathom will begin sailing Amber Cove, a new port in the Dominican Republic and the company's first social impact destination. In the Dominican Republic, Fathom will offer consumers authentic, meaningful impact travel experiences to work alongside locals as they tackle community needs. Fathom collaborated with diverse Dominican stakeholders including Dominican community leaders, Dominican officials and leaders of top local non-profits with deep roots in the country to identify activities that would have the greatest impact on people's lives and make lasting contributions to the community.

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. To reserve a spot on future sailings, travelers may call 1-855-9Fathom or through a travel professional. Learn more at www.Fathom.org

About Fathom  Fathom is a different kind of cruise that combines one's love of travel with the desire to make a difference in the world. It is a new category of travel, social impact travel. Part of the Carnival Corporation (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) family of now ten brands, Fathom offers consumers authentic, meaningful travel experiences to enrich the life of the traveler and work alongside locals as they tackle community needs. Fathom is unique in that it leverages Carnival Corporation's expertise and scale for a one-of-a-kind business model to create long-term collaboration with its partner countries, allowing for sustained social impact and lasting development. Fathom will serve the sizable and growing market of potential social impact travel consumers – approximately one million North Americans – in addition to global travelers already pursuing service-oriented travel experiences worldwide.

Sailing aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corporation's P&O Cruises (UK), Fathom will mobilize, educate and equip travelers on every trip allowing for thousands of impact activity days per week – and tens of thousands of travelers a year to communities of promise, providing unprecedented scale for impact.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fathom-announces-intended-ports-of-call-7-day-itinerary-to-cuba-300151361.html

SOURCE Fathom



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