Social impact excursions pioneered by Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand in the Dominican Republic are to be extended to six other of the group’s cruise lines including P&O Cruises.
The shore trips include helping at a womens’ chocolate-making co-operative and at a craft-making business using recycled paper.
They will be offered to passengers calling at Carnival Corporation’s dedicated Amber Cove port on the north coast of the Caribbean island from this month.
Besides P&O Cruises, the lines involved are AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.
Fathom is also exploring additional opportunities globally and with sister brands to bring the Fathom on board and on shore “engaging, purposeful experiences” to a broader audience of travellers.
New and additional opportunities for passengers to engage in the Fathom experience will be shared in coming months, the company said.
Fathom president Tara Russell said: “The feedback from our travellers and our local Dominican partners who have participated in Fathom’s social impact experiences in the Dominican Republic has been overwhelmingly positive and mutually beneficial.
“Our travellers repeatedly tell us the activities and interaction with the local Dominican people is very fulfilling, rekindling their hope and passion and inspiring a whole new perspective on life.”
She added: “Additionally, the social impact experiences create enduring positive impact in the lives of children, families and communities, significantly affecting bright futures. It is exciting to now offer thousands of guests who sail with our family of brands to Amber Cove the opportunity to be part of Fathom’s social impact experience and broader story.”
Fathom started fortnightly sailings to the Dominican Republic in May from Miami using revamped P&O Cruises ship Adonia in addition to a Cuba itinerary.
Passengers have produced and installed 730 water filters for local families, constructed concrete floors for people in 40 homes, planted nearly 16,000 seedlings and plants, and have provided approximately 17,500 hours of English conversational language skills training to local students.