Fathom Adonia
Editor's note: Fathom has ceased operations and is no longer in business.
Adonia is a whole different kind of cruise experience. It's the first ship to sail under the Fathom brand (owned by Carnival), and while the ship itself isn't new, the concept of a "social impact" cruise is groundbreaking. The 704-passenger, recently refurbished ship sails out of Miami to the Dominican Republic and Cuba and, instead of beach days and snorkeling trips, excursions focus on volunteer opportunities, community outreach, and people-to-people tours.
It also attracts a new breed of cruiser. From active older couples to young and eager families, the enthusiasm and excitement is not for parties and booze, but for making a difference and engaging with other cultures. Most conversations on board revolve around social impact activities and interactions with the locals while in port. The staff, some who have backgrounds as Peace Corp. volunteers or are doing dissertations on topics like international economies, share guests' enthusiasm.
What We Love
Ocean Grill: The ship’s specialty restaurant offers twists on Dominican dishes, including pineapple with avocado and traditional mofongo transformed into little beef pâté balls with a cilantro reduction and a garlic consommé drizzle. The restaurant, which has a charge, is open for lunch ($15) and dinner ($25).
The Glass House: The chicest space on the ship can be found on Deck 10 aft. Guests can enjoy wine pairings and hors d'oeuvres, or in the afternoons on sea days, learn to make tropical cocktails from the ship's excellent bar staff at a for-a-fee class.
Curiosity Boxes: This scavenger hunt spans across the ship, and passengers are encouraged to hunt for these little boxes that contain useful information about the Dominican Republic and Cuba, as well as common Spanish phrases and instructions to popular dances.