By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation plans to expand the Fathom brand’s Dominican Republic social impact experiences to its other cruise line brands sailing to Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
This November, two social impact excursions will be available to guests sailing regularly to Amber Cove on six Carnival Corporation brands – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises UK.
“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,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. “Our travellers repeatedly tell us the activities and alongside interaction with the local Dominican people is very fulfilling, rekindling their hope and passion and inspiring a whole new perspective on life.”
Guests will be able to help produce chocolate in the ‘Hands-On Chocolate Experience’ at Chocal, a small organic-chocolate factory run by a group of local women in Altamira.
Travellers can also help visiting artisans at RePapel, a co-op recycling micro-business in the village of El Javillar. They will be able to work alongside local women to repurpose natural, recycled paper into new products for sale. At the end of their experience, travellers may purchase keepsake products.
“The social impact experiences create enduring positive impact in the lives of children, families and communities, significantly affecting bright futures,” said Russell. “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 is also working with its sister brands to explore additional opportunities to bring social impact excursions and related onboard activities to a wider audience of travellers across the globe. New opportunities for travellers to engage in the Fathom experience will be shared in coming months.
Owned and operated by Carnival Corporation, Amber Cove was opened in November 2015, marking the first time the Puerto Plata region had received regular cruise ship calls in 30 years. The facility features two cruise berths and a 25-acre landside development.