Carnival’s Fathom Sets Course for Cuba

 Carnival Corporation’s newest brand, Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel, 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 what has been described as part learning, part sharing, and all immersion into the Cuban culture and full connection with the Cuban people.

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

“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.

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.”

Fathom travelers will sail aboard the 710-passenger MV Adonia where they may take part in special onboard programming including a wide variety of activities covering history, customs and culture, to casual fun personal enrichment activities and conversational Spanish lessons among others.

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.

“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,” the company said.