Fathom
Editor's note: Fathom has ceased operations and is no longer in business.
Launched by Carnival Corporation in April 2016, Fathom is a totally new concept: Caribbean cruises that focus more on getting to know the local community than days at the beach.
The line’s sole ship, the 704-passenger Adonia, made history in May 2016 when it was the first passenger ship to cruise from the U.S. to Cuba in 40 years. The ship cruises out of Miami year-round, alternating between sailings to the Dominican Republic for volunteer tourism and sailings to Cuba for cultural immersion.
Adonia previously sailed as part of the U.K.-based line P&O, and while it was refit when it joined the line, the focus on these cruises is much more on the enrichment than on the ship itself, or even the onboard activities. Adonia does not have a lot of bells and whistles — you won’t find a casino or stage productions, and there is just one pool and a small spa — but it’s also the only ship that has an onboard storytelling booth and workshops on curiosity and social innovation.
And while the travel restrictions to Cuba have eased in the last year, U.S. citizens still need to visit the island via a “people-to-people” exchange program — you can’t just go and, say, stretch out on the beach the way many Europeans do there. Fathom’s itineraries and excursions satisfy the requirement and make it easy to get around the island. The activities come on board as well, with Latin dance lessons and concerts by local musicians at the pool during sea days and in the evenings.
What We Love
Making a Difference: In the Dominican Republic, passengers can choose from a variety of activities designed to help out in the local community, from delivering clean-water filters to families in remote villages to pouring concrete floors in private homes. Some of the projects are hard work, but they also offer a feeling of accomplishment.
Cultural Exchanges: Fathom's trips to Cuba focus on educational interactions with the Cuban people, including artists and community leaders. From walking tours to meals at traditional paladares (family-owned restaurants), passengers are encouraged to learn about Cuba and get to know the locals.
Best Known For
Workshops: Sea days are spent attending lectures and workshops put together by the Impact Guides (Fathom’s version of cruise directors), many of whom have backgrounds with organizations like the Peace Corps. Their enthusiasm gives these sailings an air of summer camp, which seems to appeal more to the volunteer-focused crowd on Dominican Republic sailings than on trips to Cuba. For example, on our Cuba cruise, a storytelling workshop cleared out before it was even over, while the cocktail-making class was enthusiastically attended.