Carnival Corporation announced today that its new fathom brand has been granted permission to sail to Cuba with U.S. travelers. The cruise line plans to provide “cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges between American and Cuban citizens.” Final Cuban approval is still pending but expected in time for the 710-passenger MV Adonia to arrive at the island beginning in May 2016.
First fathom will exclusively spend the month of April 2016 heading roundtrip to the Dominican Republic from Miami, Florida on seven-day social impact sailings. Then beginning in May 2016, the Adonia will alternate between weeklong cruises to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, allowing the opportunity for travelers to book passage to a single destination or even back-to-back sailings to both.
Exact itineraries are still in the works, with 11 promising Cuban ports potentially available, and will be detailed at a later date. In the meantime, bookings to Cuba are open and start at $2,990 per person, according to fathom, “excluding taxes, port and other government and related fees, and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and certain on-the-ground cultural immersion activities.” fathom will work hand-in-hand with travelers to receive individual U.S. governmental approval prior to sailing.
“We are excited about receiving U.S. approval as the very important first step to ultimately take travelers to Cuba under the existing 12 criteria for authorized travel. We look forward to working with the Cuban authorities for their approval to help make the social, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between U.S. citizens and the people of Cuba a reality,” said Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We know there is strong demand from travelers who want to immerse themselves in Cuban culture, so this is a historic opportunity for us to enable more people to experience Cuban society. It is also an important opportunity for our new fathom brand to expand its positive influence in the world with this potential to add full-week immersion sailings to Cuba to its already planned full-week social-impact itineraries to the Dominican Republic beginning in the spring of 2016.”
As for sailings to the Dominican Republic, prices start at $1,540 per person, according to the cruise line, “which includes an exterior cabin with a view, all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three on-shore social impact activities and related supplies, taxes, fees, and port expenses. Prices will vary by season.” The MV Adonia currently sails under P&O Cruises and will be repurposed for travel to the Dominican Republic and Cuba for fathom.
Tara Russell, president of fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation, added: “We’re incredibly excited and humbled by this potential opportunity to help travelers experience the amazing beauty and culture of Cuba, while being able to provide educational and cultural exchange activities that will benefit both the traveler and the Cuban people. After establishing the Dominican Republic as our first partner destination, Cuba represents an important step for us to expand our ability to offer meaningful and enriching experiences to purpose-driven travelers. Our goal remains the same for both destinations – to enable travelers to immerse, learn, serve and flourish while making enduring, sustainable contributions on a scalable and systematic basis. We are looking forward to building what we intend to be a beautiful and lasting friendship with the Cuban people.”
For more information and to book sailings on the MV Adonia, visit fathom‘s website here.
HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: FATHOM