When I recently sailed to Cuba on Fathom’s Adonia cruise ship, I had the opportunity to learn about the new brand’s social impact cruise to the Dominican Republic.
Sailing round-trip out of Miami, the Adonia makes alternating 7-day cruises to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Some guests sail for two weeks to enjoy both unique experiences.
Many people considering a cruise want to know “what’s the day-to-day experience like?” One of the best way to get a feel for that is to review daily programs from a recent cruise. Here are some of the daily programs from the May 22, 2016 Fathom 7-day cruise to the Dominican Republic.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 1 – (front)
A new, single-ship cruise brand from Carnival Corporation, Fathom is the brain child of Tara Russell. Fathom is described as “impact travel; travel with purpose.”
Whether you sail on the Adonia to Cuba or the Dominican Republic, cruise regulars will notice a few things are different with the Fathom experience. Rather than cruise staff, on Fathom you will find Impact Guides who lead guests through a wide range of activities – from tapping your curiosity to improving listening and empathy skills to practicing Spanish language skills.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 1 – (back)
In other aspects, the Adonia is like other cruises – with a gym, spa, shopping, dance lessons and a variety of dining options, from outdoor barbecues to fine-dining in a specialty restaurant.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 2 – (front)
Day 2 on the Dominican Republic (D.R.) cruise is a day at sea, with a range of activities to get fellow travelers engaged in their adventure. Take a look at all of the offerings available, from 6:30 am meditation to late night dancing with the Craze Band.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 2 – (morning schedule)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 2 – (afternoon & evening schedule)
Day 2 prepares guests for the noon-time arrival in the D.R. on Tuesday, and the start of the social impact activities.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 3 – (front)
The Adonia docks at Amber Cove in the Puerto Plata province on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, from Tuesday around noon until Friday at noon. This schedule gives guests 4 days to experience their choice of Fathom social impact activities, while also having the option to enjoy some of the more typical Caribbean beach and sun thrills, from zip-lining to deep sea fishing to power snorkeling, to shopping in Amber Cove.
Guests can choose to participate in a different social impact activity each day (or not.) Some of the options include:
- Building Concrete Floors in Community Homes
- Working with Cacao at a Women’s Chocolate Cooperative
- Helping Students Practice English Conversation
- Planting trees in a Reforestation Project
- Producing Water Filters for Family Homes
All activities are appropriate for children and teenagers aged 8 and older.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 3 – (morning schedule)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 3 – (afternoon & evening schedule)
In the evening, there is entertainment, movies and dancing on the ship.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 4 – (front)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 4- (morning schedule)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 4 – (afternoon & evening schedule)
This evening’s entertainment on the Adonia included performances by Red Light, a local Dominican Republic band.
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 5 – (front)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 5- (morning schedule)
D.R. Cruise Program, Day 5 – (afternoon & evening schedule)
Day 6 begins in Amber Cove with similar activities similar to Day 5, one last chance to participate in another life-changing experience. Everyone re-boards the Adonia at 12:30 p.m., when the ship starts its journey back to Miami.
The last day and a half at sea is the perfect opportunity to relax, take some of the impact classes offered on board (check out the class descriptions in the programs above), and reflect on the experiences one had while working to change lives in the Dominican Republic.
The Fathom Adonia sails every other week from Miami to the Dominican Republic. Special inaugural pricing is available on sailings through November 20, 2016, starting from $499 per person, not including taxes and port fees. If you are interested in this cruise, or cruising to Cuba, this agency can book your adventure and provide all of the necessary details.
Have you sailed on the Adonia? What was your favorite part of the experience?
Check out these posts about my Fathom cruise to Cuba:
- Cementerio de Cristobal Colon, Havana, Cuba
- A Look Around the Adonia Cruise Ship from Fathom
- Reflecting on My Visit to Cuba: People to People Interactions Were the Best
- Adding Cuba to My Travelers’ Century Club List of 325 Destinations
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