PHOTO: Havana will be one of three stops in Cuba for Fathom. (Photo by David Cogswell)
Carnival Corporation's latest venture, Fathom, will call not once, but three different times in Cuba when it sets sail on its inaugural voyage to the Caribbean destination in May 2016, the cruise line announced Wednesday.
The seven-day itinerary will feature stops in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.
To provide potential passengers with a better idea of what they can expect next spring, the new social impact travel brand revealed a sample itinerary showcasing the type of activities guests will be able to engage in at each port of call.
For example, during two days in Cuba's capital city, Havana, travelers may attend an Afro-Cuban community meeting to connect with local entrepreneurs and visit an urban organic farm to help encourage self-sufficiency and independent economic activity.
"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," Fathom president Tara Russell said in a statement.
Back on board the ship, guests can expect to participate in various discussions and film series designed to educate travelers on Cuban history and culture, among other things.
At the next port of call, Cienfuegos for example, guests might visit a local elementary school and interact with children before heading over to a UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore the region's colonial architecture.
After a final interactive call in the island nation's second-largest city, Santiago de Cuba, passengers will return to sea for additional discussions and activities before ultimately concluding their journey.
Prior to its debut in Cuba, Fathom will sail to the Dominican Republic beginning in April 2016. Those seven-day cruises will also see guests engage with local leaders and help to improve communities in the surrounding area.
Next year's cruises to Cuba will start at $1,800 per person, not including Cuban visas, taxes, fees or port expenses, while sailing to the Dominican Republic will begin at $974 per person, minus taxes, fees and port expenses.
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