The Carnival Corporation is advertising opportunities for cruise passengers to make a social impact with their visit to the Dominican Republic starting next year. Carnival has launched the Fathom cruise brand that will offer social impact travel to ?meet the real hunger in the world for purpose,? announced the company. During the seven-day trips from Miami to the Dominican Republic, on board the Adonia, the up to 700 passengers won?t spend time playing games and shows usually featured on traditional cruises. Instead, they will learn about Dominican culture to prepare them for their contributions to the community once at the destination. The ship with volunteers will make a maiden voyage to Amber Cove in Puerto Plata in April 2016. Prices for the Dominican Republic cruise start at US$1,540 per person for an exterior cabin with a window. The new Carnival Corporation port opens in October 2015.
To develop the voluntourism program, Carnival has worked closely with its partner nonprofit organizations, including Entrena and the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral, and local leaders in the Dominican Republic to ensure cruise volunteers are addressing genuine needs – education, the environment and economic development.
Carnival says it will train participants on the ship prior to arrival. Volunteer programs include helping locals improve their English skills, building and delivering water filters, cultivating cacao plants and producing organic fertilizer at a nursery that produces artisan chocolates in partnership with a women’s cooperative.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/carnival-offer-volunteer-cruises-dominican-republic-article-1.2246866
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/05/carnival-social-impact-cruise_n_7521214.html
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/06/04/3835861_boisean-heads-cruise-lines-new.html?rh=1