I’m addicted to cruising.  I’ve been on two whole cruises in my lifetime and I could easily do it monthly for the rest of time.  One of those cruises was a 3-day that was over before I thought it truly began.  At the end of May, we sailed on our first 7-day Fathom cruise to the Dominican Republic on the Adonia.  It wasn’t a typical cruise that had us packing our formal wear or ordering up beverage packages.  It was a trip that we would do again if we were asked today to sail tomorrow!  Our hearts grew and our minds were expanded. Our memories, still strong in our mind, have us recalling two very special 10 year olds eager to learn, and making chocolate in a woman’s cooperative. We remember the tremendous heat and humidity all the while planting seedlings high in the mountains of the rainforest.

Fathom is the newest brand in the Carnival Corporation family, a sister brand to P&O Cruises, it’s focus is to travel with a purpose and travel deeper into the community and deeper into yourself.  When in port in the Dominican Republic, travelers work side by side with local residents in existing programs that focus on improving the lives of children, families and communities.  Fathom is a different kind of cruise that combines the love of travel with the desire to make a difference in the world. When we heard about this opportunity we thought, “we HAVE to do this!”  We’ve traveled for ourselves, we’ve vacationed in the best resorts, we’ve spoiled our children in theme parks…we were ready to use our time and effort to give back.  Just weeks before we sailed, the Adonia took it’s inaugural voyage so we followed stories and listened intently to tips and tricks once our adventure began.  Here is all the info you need on why a Fathom cruise to the Dominican Republic should be on your bucket list.

The Adonia is a 704 passenger ship!  Yes, you read that right.  When we boarded, we heard there was about half capacity on our sailing and we could hardly believe it.  Immediately we could tell this was going to be a different experience than our 3000-person cruise to Mexico.  Just before we left the Port of Miami we had already crossed paths with the same people on the outer decks and in the elevators.  You can easily get acquainted with your fellow travelers and staff in a genuine way and know these are the people who share your commitment to deeper, more meaningful travel. Conversely, many times we’d be atop the Sky Deck and look around and see no one, like we had the ship to ourselves.  A smaller ship also means you find your way around sooner.  We made note which levels to find the restaurants, the Library, the rooms for our meetings, the Explorers Desk, etc. and made our way easier.

Soundings daily newsletter.   This may be standard across all cruise lines, types, and sizes, but this was even more pertinent to us on this cruise.  I carried the newsletter around with my phone/camera like another appendage each day, it was our best friend.  Arriving the evening before in your room mailbox (or sometimes in your room on the bed/desk), the Soundings had basic information like dining times for the restaurants/bars, movie and entertainment news and schedules daily.  More importantly we were assigned a cohort group number at check-in and throughout our week we were to meet with our team for workshops and training sessions preparing for our work on the ground.  Some workshops are repeated during the day and on alternating days, but main cohort meetings are once a day.  Often you can join another group if you miss your cohort session, but to respect your leaders time and effort, making your sessions are vital to the overall success of your experience.  Some of the entertainment activities (especially Wine & Paint night) require you sign up ahead of time, and some activities fill up within minutes.  I thank the Soundings newsletter for keeping up to date on our required and optional activities daily so we could make the best of our experience!

Porthole cabins.  Our first cruise spoiled us with a balcony cabin, falling asleep with the door open and warm sea air filling our room was delightful.  Those cabins exist on the Adonia, as well as suites and the most affordable interior rooms.  We were assigned a great outside cabin, B007 that was super spacious and had a 4ft diameter porthole with amazing unobstructed views.  I only missed the balcony for a minute.  Our king bed was comfortable and I loved that we had both a desk and a couch in the room to work and relax on.  We were stocked with coffee and tea plus a hot pot to boil water daily and the room was tended to twice a day by our friendly steward Naz.  The bathroom was plenty spacious for us and the shower always had great water pressure and enough hot water for comfort.  Fair CosmEthics are eco-friendly toiletries provided, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and a shower cap, replenished upon request.  We were at the forward of the ship and I’d heard that we’d feel lots of motion, but honestly only one evening when the weather was windy and wavy did I even notice movement in my cabin just as we were going off to bed.  I slept with sea bands that night and I was fine.

Activities.  Like I mentioned earlier, the ship is smaller and there are less people.  I’m overwhelmed in big crowds, lines, and noise and this ship spoils you with a lot of space, a lot of quiet, and a slower pace. Don’t get me wrong though, there are still plenty of things to do!  If you’re looking for health and fitness activities, Embody Spa and Gym offer the facials, massages, salon services, and fitness class that you seek at an additional cost. Some meditation and yoga classes are offered complimentary throughout the day, so the best thing is to check your Soundings newsletters for times, some you need to sign up ahead of time for.  The Sun Deck has a running/walking track that was used often and has the best views.  Entertainment starts as soon as we set sail from Miami with the Craze Band performing the latest musics plus classics by the pool (Crystal pool and two hot tubs are on the Lido Deck). This band is so versatile, they break off into solo performers at the piano, duos with a Latin flair, trios with a Jazz beat, and my favorite was when they played backup to guests singing “bandioke!”  Yes, it’s the only band on the ship, but they are really talented!  As this is a very family-friendly cruise (children ages 8-up) there are tons of games/activities available daily.  The Library (you’ll love the mural on the ceiling!) offers board games on a check-out basis, take them to your room, sit out on the deck, or remain in the library to enjoy.  Scavenger hunts, domino throwdown, life-size Jenga, cultural trivia, book club, and movie nights (Casablanca, Star Wars) are just some of the things to do with the whole family.  Adults can enjoy the super popular Wine and Paint evenings, cocktail class, or any of the 7 bars on the ship (one which is Raffles coffee bar).  Wine and Paint was on my radar from the get-go.  Those travel bloggers who attended before me filled me in on getting to the Explorer’s Desk early to sign up because they have limited spots.  What was great is that the staff recognized the popularity and offered the class a second time to allow for the need.  The canvas, paint, and instruction are included for the fun evening, you pay for your wine, cocktail, or drink of choice.  My favorite part is the “gallery walk” at the end of the session, it’s so neat to see everyone’s interpretation of the same artwork!  Our favorite bar was The Glass House.  A wine bar with great flight options was a spot we visited more than once.  Our first visit we chose the Robust Reds flight that included bold wines from Australia, Spain, and Argentina.  For about $15/person we enjoyed our drinks with a side of empenadas, nuts, and chips with an endless sea view.  Our waiter only had us to attend to so we engaged him in wonderful conversation as we learned about his life and family in the Philippines. Something we promise to do together next time (because there WILL BE a next time) is take dance lessons!  My daughters dance jazz, tap, ballet, and modern, if my husband and I came home to show them the dances of the DR and Cuba like Salsa an Rumba, they would be SO impressed! By the way, there isn’t a big showroom on board or a casino.  You may be realizing that this is a different style cruise and believe me they won’t be missed.

Wi-fi is available on the ship, I purchased two 250 minute packages at $62.50 each.  The connection in the room and in all the spots on the ship were pretty consistent.  You must login in AND OUT each session.  Don’t forget to log out because your minutes will continue to run!

Programs/Way of Thinking.  Along with the activities, you’re also encouraged to participate with your impact guides/cohort groups, impact education, impact activity training, and personal enrichment programs while sailing with Fathom.  First and foremost, this is a social impact cruise and the goal is to make a difference in the socio-economic, health, and educational structure of the Dominican Republic.  Core programming helps you connect to where you’re headed by educating passengers to culture, history, social norms, and customs.  Workshops allow you to get the most out of your experience in the DR and ultimately your life, help guide you through the storytelling process, and teach you how everyone can be a maker of change.  If this sounds deep, it is.  You’re “traveling deep,” deep into yourself, deep into the world, deep into another way of thinking.  When you leave the ship you’ll understand, it’s hard to put into words, but after your impact activities you’ll feel it.  My husband and I signed up for the same impact activities so we took the same workshops.  I loved that while we felt comfortable together, the classes gave us time apart and to meet and work with others to get outside our comfort zone a little at a time.  We looked forward most to working in the classroom with young children so we refreshed our Spanish as well as our tutoring skills with our guides.  Even though I grew up speaking Spanish and took 8 collective years in high school and college, if I don’t use it every day I struggle.  We were going to be working with 9-12 year olds, as easy as that may sound, communicating with them is crucial.  Just knowing basic Spanish phrases and learning how to build trust and empowering their English is important.  Just an hour a two per day, these should not be missed!

Impact Activities and Excursion in Port. This is the meat and potatoes of the trip, this is what hooked us in.  So, on Tuesday of your seven day adventure you will reach port in Amber Cove near the city of Puerto Plata. It’s is on ground alongside locals and partner organizations (Entrena and IDDI) where you’ll put your training to good use.  Here you teach, but you also learn.  There are eight Impact Activities to choose from during your four days in port, up to 3 are included with your cruise cost.  What you want to do is when you book your trip, you’ll have access to a Journey Planner to schedule your activities.  Book as soon as you can because each one fills up fast.  Some activities are offered daily, others only certain days.  There are morning and afternoon sessions and you can do both if the timing is right, but it’s highly suggestion you do only one per day.  Some activities take longer and are more strenuous, take that into account as well.  Here are your options and a brief description:

• Student English Conversation and Learning–Engage in games, simple vocabulary lessons, and small-group conversations that provide much-needed confidence in English proficiency.  This happens in the classroom in a local school.  Ages are appoximately 9-12.
  Community English Conversation and Learning–These small group programs take place within community centers or local homes, and include one-on-one conversation, English instruction, food preparation, and meal sharing.
  Creative Arts, Music, and Sports–Of course the kids enjoy summer vacation as well, so if you’re traveling during those months this program replaces the classroom opportunity. The well-planned programs include videos, joint dramatic presentations by students and Fathom travelers, hands-on arts and crafts activities, and a full day devoted to sports and nutrition.
  Water Filter Production–In the Dominican Republic alone, more than three million people have no access to piped water. For a surcharge of $20 you can participat in the entire filter-making process: gathering and mixing the raw materials, working the clay, shaping and firing the filters, testing the quality of the finished product, and distributing the finished filters to needy families.
  Reforestation and Nursery–Protecting and extending natural resources is vital to the people of the DR. Two different work days are offered, I didn’t realize until we were assigned our tickets.  In one location you can be implementing the simple potting of tree seedlings and transporting plants, also assisting local Dominicans with establishing and managing tree nurseries.  The more strenuous efforts of cultivation and planting is also an option after an hour’s bus trip.
  Cacao and Women’s Chocolate Cooperative–Founded by a group of women who wanted to both work and not travel too far from their families, Chocal was born. As a Fathom traveler, you can participate in the complete production cycle: from planting and cultivating the organic cacao trees, to preparing the raw materials, to producing and packaging the final product for sale.
  Recycled Paper and Crafts Entrepreneurship Similar to the chocolate cooperative, your support and input into the recycling process will increase productivity and ultimately increase business and income.
  Concrete Floors in Community Homes This activity also has a $20 surcharge per person. In the homes of poorer communities, the common basic dirt floors are a genuine health risk. Homes chosen will be given a concrete floor and the process is a bit on the strenuous side. You will work alongside the homeowners and other members of the surrounding community, including children and teenagers, and there are other opportunities at each site that may be more suited for members of the group if the labor is too much.

Once you board the ship, it’s a good idea to visit the Explorer’s Desk as soon as it opens to double check that you have the right activities assigned for your trip. You can choose as many or as few impact activities into your schedule, remember it is NOT a requirement to do them.  Because of the hot and humid weather, each Impact Activity provides plenty of bottled water, some even include lunch, most information will be available in your Journey Planner. Stay tuned to my blog, I’ll be writing another article on just our impact activities soon!

The port in Amber Cove sits on 25 acres and is a new 85 million dollar development making it the biggest Caribbean port. Packed with bars, restaurants, shops and a huge pool area with water slides, it is offered free of charge to cruise passengers. A zip line, private cabanas over water and water sports will keep you busy if you don’t venture into the city. Rental cars, tours, and plenty of traditional excursion activities are available.  Tours of Puerto Plata’s top ten most iconic attractions, the historical town of La Isabela, or the historical city of Puerto Plata and Fort Felipe will immerse you in Domincan culture. The countryside zipline, snorkel by sail, and power snorkel will satisfy your adventurous side.  Or if you want to just relax oceanside for the afternoon, the Playa Dorada beach escape is for you. Prices for the excursions range from $39 to over $1000 for private cabanas.  We originally had 3 impact activities plus a sail, another passenger literally signed up for the English tutoring for all her assignments, and as a former teacher that sounds like something I may consider on my next trip. The choice is yours.

Food Three meals a day are included with your cruise.  There are four main areas to dine, the conservatory Buffet, Pacific Restaurant, Ocean Grill, and the Lido Cafe.  The buffet is basically open all day from 6:30am-midnight.  Here you’ll find indoor and outside dining with a cafeteria style buffet offering a variety of cuisines throughout the week.  Breakfast has standard cereal, fruit, granola, yogurt and hot dishes like eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, french toast, and oatmeal just about every day.  Lunch and dinner include salad fixings, lunch meats, cheeses, and a variety of chicken, beef, pork, and even goat.  Some days there would be Chinese food dishes like sweet and sour and chow mein, other days pasta, Indian, and even some tasty Mexican food. Pizza and calzones was offered daily noon-about 5pm and they different flavors were great for us.  I don’t recall a standard pepperoni though, but it was nice for us to get out of our comfort zone even in the food department.  Our kids may have balked.  The Conservatory was our standard breakfast and lunch spot.  The food was good, but not spectacular.  Coffee, water, tea, and a few juices are included, sodas and cocktails/beer/wine were at an additional cost.  The Lido Cafe was outside near the pool and offered hot dogs, burgers, salads, french fries, and fruit.  We ate most of our dinners at the Pacific Restaurant, this food in my opinion was fantastic!  Here we had the choice to dine alone as a couple or join a table of eight in order to mingle with the other guests.  We alternated with both and just loved the nights we chatted with our fellow passengers especially sharing stories after long Impact activity days!  You’re assigned a waiter and they were all so very friendly.  The menus were specific each night with appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and dessert.  Presentations were always beautiful and selections like jerked chicken, Alaskan snow crab tacos and dessert like creme de cacao chocolate pots were some of my favorites.Ocean Grill whose menu is created by Chef Emil Vega, emphasizes the flavors of Cuba and the Dominican Republic.  There is a $25 cover charge per person per meal and from what we heard is wonderful.  We opted to skip this choice, but would like to try it at least once our next trip.  Something to remember, you will be billed an automatic gratuities charge of $80.50 per person.  I’ve heard from other passengers that if you talk to reception you can waive that fee if you will be giving cash tips or adding them to your ship bills.

Take note:  room service is not available on this cruise.  On early mornings when I let my husband sleep a little longer I would walk to the Conservatory and grab a few bites and some juice and could bring it back to the room, some evenings we took our desserts to go.  You do have the option to leave a door hanger for breakfast delivery the next morning if you choose, there is a $5 tray charge for this amenity. Each dining location either had a staff member pumping hand sanitizer into your hands or a machine to use before and after each meal.  The ship was very conscientious about keeping you healthy with this protocol, notes and messages in your mailbox, as well as posting information in the public restrooms.  If at any time you need medical attention there is a medical center on board.Relax and Enjoy. I read an entire book on this cruise and it’s been years since I’ve done that!  In the end, the Fathom Cruise to the Dominican Republic was eye-opening, unique, wonderful, romantic, and a must-do experience. The people you meet in each and every activity, the children you interact with, the genuine hugs you receive, the smiles you see as they wave goodbye to you will be emblazoned in your heart forever.  Add it to your bucket list, because it’s one-of-a-kind adventure will impact your life and those you choose to enjoy it with I promise.

For more information on a Fathom cruise to the Dominican Republic or Cuba, visit Fathom.org, and you can get an additional $50-150 off by using my Insider’s Discount Code: Insider1509. Click here to register and claim your savings!

Our cruise was hosted, flight to Miami, taxes/gratuities, and 100% honest opinions were our own.