The Caribbean ports affected by the 2017 hurricanes are back up and running, but Princess Cruises and social impact company Fathom are still offering an opportunity for passengers to give back to the communities in need.
In spring 2018, two Princess cruise ships will host a group of Fathom travelers who will volunteer in select ports of call, through supply drop-offs, community rebuilding and other relief efforts.
The inaugural Fathom group cruise is already sold out and will kick off onboard Crown Princess on January 20th.
“I’ve always believed there is an appetite among travelers to combine their passion for adventure with their desire for meaning, purpose and deep connection,” Tara Russell, Fathom president & Carnival Corporation global impact lead, said in a Princess statement.
The new cruises include Regal Princess on March 18th and Caribbean Princess on May 26th: both of which will sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale and call at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Princess’ private island in the Bahamas, Princess Cays.
The cruise line have ensured that the sailing is a more personalized experience with the Fathom group ranging from just 100 to 200 people.
The volunteer activities available in each port include:
-St. Thomas: a donation drop of more than 2,000 items for young families working with and supporting the St. Thomas Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health and St. Thomas Boys & Girls Club, with help from Baby Zone NYC and Aerostream in Miami.
-St. Maarten: assistance in efforts needed by the tourism association, including the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and The National Institute of Arts.
Russell continued: “Now more than ever, our friends in the Caribbean need us to show up to support kids and families as they return to school and build normalcy in their daily lives. These cruises offer guests a transformative opportunity to make an impact in these communities.”
Cruisers who have booked with the Fathom group will be receiving onboard credits, details on exclusive shore excursions, and invitations to Fathom onboard programming, networking and cocktail events.
Princess were not the only cruise line to have lent a helping hand to hurricane-stricken Caribbean islands as MSC dedicated a 4,000 square foot building that would serve as a school in Virgin Gorda.
After all 15 schools were destroyed in the British Virgin Islands, the new pre-fabricated building will allow children to focus on the future and continue their education.
What do you think of Princess’ generosity with the Caribbean islands still recovering from the 2017 hurricanes? Are you pleased to hear the cruise lines are still reaching out to the communities in need? Leave us your comments…
MSC Donates Emergency Supplies To Island Still In Post-Hurricane Recovery This donation, with the help of the government of the British Virgin Island, is just one of many ways the family-owned cruise line is helping…
