{Disclaimer: Charleston Moms Blog has partnered with Fathom to bring you this post, but all of the opinions are ours!}
Whenever my family plans a vacation, we often spend a long time discussing where we actually want to visit and what we want to do in our time away. Some family members want nothing more than to sit on a beach, piña colada or Corona in hand, watching the waves for the duration of vacation. However, some of the younger members of family yearn for a more active trip, trying out different activities everyday. Me? I like a combination of the two aforementioned vacations, but I also like to experience something unique about the places to which I travel. I want to learn about the history of a place and experience it as a local rather than as a visiting tourist.
Not to mention, we all would love to do something on our vacation that could make the world a better place, right?
Planning a vacation that is relaxing, fun and exciting, educational and enlightening, and helps to positively impact others is nearly impossible. Wouldn’t it be great if there were an all-inclusive, pre-planned vacation that would make everyone in the family happy?
How to plan a vacation for those who just want to relax…
those who seek adventure…
and those who love history and immersing themselves in new cultures?
I’m excited to announce that there is a new vacation option worth considering if your family is anything like mine. Fathom, a part of the long-standing and well-respected Carnival Corporation family, is a unique kind of cruise that combines a fun and relaxing travel experience and the opportunity to make a difference in the world.
How is Fathom different from your average cruise?
Beginning this spring, Fathom will launch separate round-trip, seven-day voyages from Miami to two of the Caribbean’s most desired destinations: the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Fathom has created long-term relationships with these countries in order to foster person-to-person connections allowing travelers to work alongside residents of these countries to tackle community needs. Travelers will have the optional opportunity to work side by side with local residents in existing programs that focus on improving the lives of children, families, and communities.
How specifically will I be able to impact the countries visited?
What about the rest of the vacation?
Travelers have the opportunity to impact the education, environment, and economy of the countries visited for up to three days, but the rest of the trip is dedicated to enjoying whatever you and the members of your family (with all of their different opinions on vacation) want to do! (You can always take a break from the scheduled “impact activities” to simply relax and do whatever else you want to do too…there are no obligations.)
Your family will enjoy the Dominican Republic’s many scenic beauties throughout the trip, such as the rugged, mystical terrain, fertile valleys, breathtaking turquoise waters, enchanting waterfalls, and tropical rain forests. These natural attractions can be enjoyed through planned or independent, spontaneous hikes, zipline adventures, or scuba diving and snorkeling excursions.
For the history nerds like me, there are tours of various sites at Puerto Plata (like the San Felipe Fortress, Cathedral San Felipe, and Plaza Independencia) and the historical town of La Isabela with its nearby ruins. While you’re out and about soaking up the history and culture, you could also stop by the Brugal rum factory…because what is a tropical vacation without rum?
Lastly, for the person who just wants to do a whole lot of nothing on vacation (no shame in that!), there are breathtaking beaches and an on-board pool, spa, and library where you can relax the hours away.