Astro Flyer Posted November 24, 2016 #1 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) While this is the Princess forum, there have been discussions about CCL's Fathom cruise line which is now ceasing operations although some of their social impact tours will still be available on other CCL (Carnival Corporation) cruise lines. "Fathom, the one-ship cruise line created by Carnival Corp. in 2015 to offer social-impact cruises, will become a shoreside-only experience in mid-2017, a Carnival spokesman said. The brand's only ship, the Adonia, will be returned to the P&O Cruises fleet in June 2017". It's failure isn't surprising to me because I've been skeptical about their marketing strategy since the beginning. The Dominican Republic "social impact cruises" (selling for as little as $199 for a 7-day cruise) were not successful but CCL plans to continue sailing to Cuba (starting at $1,800 for a 7-day cruise) as "people-to-people" cruises. However CCL has not designated which CCL cruise line will sail to Cuba...maybe a Princess Sun-class ship or the Pacific Princess could be options. Here's a link to additional information: http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fathom-cruises-going-away-but-brand-remains-for-excursions?cid=eltrdb Edited November 24, 2016 by Astro Flyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griller Posted November 24, 2016 #2 Share Posted November 24, 2016 The Carnival stockholders will feel relieved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted November 24, 2016 #3 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Since demand was high for the Cuba itinerary, I wonder why they just did not change the weeks with the Dominican itinerary to Cuba ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted November 24, 2016 #4 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Since demand was high for the Cuba itinerary, I wonder why they just did not change the weeks with the Dominican itinerary to Cuba ones. I suspect they see more demand than that small ship can satisfy and/or the cruisers interested in going to Cuba expect more onboard entertainment options than it has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griller Posted November 24, 2016 #5 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Since demand was high for the Cuba itinerary, I wonder why they just did not change the weeks with the Dominican itinerary to Cuba ones. Because then the Public Relations benefit of the DR cruises would be lost. I thought the benefit to the DR citizens was all rather questionable anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkystheLimit Posted November 24, 2016 #6 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I suspect they see more demand than that small ship can satisfy and/or the cruisers interested in going to Cuba expect more onboard entertainment options than it has. I am happy that we went in October. It was a wonderful trip and we thought the Adonia was the perfect ship for our itinerary to Cuba. We do not have to be entertained all the time so it worked for us. The Fathom staff works so hard and are truly dedicated to the ideas and purpose of the trip. Hopefully, Cuba cruises won't become just "junket" trips like those offered to the Bahamas. The culture and people have so much to offer it would be ashamed that people don't go to appreciate those things. Truthfully, I would not want to go on a larger ship. The infrastructure/security mindset is not there to support a massive influx of people. P&O is getting a ship back in it's fleet in much better visible shape than when it left. All of the soft goods have been upgraded or replaced. The Adonia is quite lovely now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted November 24, 2016 #7 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Because then the Public Relations benefit of the DR cruises would be lost.I thought the benefit to the DR citizens was all rather questionable anyway. I always thought that helping natives to make trinkets or chocolate to sell to tourists was not really the best way to demonstrate volunteerism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyancho Posted November 24, 2016 #8 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I always thought that helping natives to make trinkets or chocolate to sell to tourists was not really the best way to demonstrate volunteerism. Very patronizing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Woobstr112G Posted November 24, 2016 #9 Share Posted November 24, 2016 While this is the Princess forum, there have been discussions about CCL's Fathom cruise line which is now ceasing operations although some of their social impact tours will still be available on other CCL (Carnival Corporation) cruise lines. "Fathom, the one-ship cruise line created by Carnival Corp. in 2015 to offer social-impact cruises, will become a shoreside-only experience in mid-2017, a Carnival spokesman said. The brand's only ship, the Adonia, will be returned to the P&O Cruises fleet in June 2017". It's failure isn't surprising to me because I've been skeptical about their marketing strategy since the beginning. The Dominican Republic "social impact cruises" (selling for as little as $199 for a 7-day cruise) were not successful but CCL plans to continue sailing to Cuba (starting at $1,800 for a 7-day cruise) as "people-to-people" cruises. However CCL has not designated which CCL cruise line will sail to Cuba...maybe a Princess Sun-class ship or the Pacific Princess could be options. Here's a link to additional information: http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fathom-cruises-going-away-but-brand-remains-for-excursions?cid=eltrdb I never thought this would catch on and be successful..... Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griller Posted November 24, 2016 #10 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Very patronizing You know you are absolutely right, it is very patronizing to believe we can teach the natives of another country basic skills, they probably have more and better skills than we do in most respects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill B Posted November 24, 2016 #11 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I could never fathom the concept of social-impact cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamomo Posted November 24, 2016 #12 Share Posted November 24, 2016 You know you are absolutely right, it is very patronizing to believe we can teach the natives of another country basic skills, they probably have more and better skills than we do in most respects. Yes, I believe they already have skills appropriate to their country and culture. It's pretty presumptuous of us to decide which of our skills, fitting to our country, lifestyle, and culture, they need?? JMO, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendon Posted November 24, 2016 #13 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Sooo sad, I'm glad we went last August. We were looking forward to going again this spring, darn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare azbirdmom Posted November 24, 2016 #14 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) The Fathom experiences were added late to the excursion list for our recent Amber Cove stop on the Regal Princess. When I saw that I kind of figured that it might be a replacement for the Fathom cruises. Edited November 24, 2016 by azbirdmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike x ftc Posted November 24, 2016 #15 Share Posted November 24, 2016 P&O UK put this on their facebook page today - Good afternoon, as the Fathom experience has been expanded across many Carnival brands sailing to the Dominican Republic and beyond, we are pleased to let you know that we have Adonia, our well loved small ship, sailing a range of discovery itineraries from June 2017 I don't understand what has been expanded to other Carnival brands? I thought it was ceasing. I don't know who ever thought it was a good idea anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylandtk Posted November 24, 2016 #16 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I don't understand what has been expanded to other Carnival brands? I thought it was ceasing. I don't know who ever thought it was a good idea anyway...The "economic development impact activities" previously offered on the Fathom itinerary at Amber Cove have now been added as Shore Excursions on other Carnival Coporation brands that stop at this port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDC1 Posted November 24, 2016 #17 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) Keep in mind that the policy of opening up travel to Cuba might be subject to change with the new administration. I would expect that their stance in negotiation with the Cuban government to be more hard line than in the past and as such the improvements in access resulting from presidential orders, might be rescinded. Edited November 24, 2016 by RDC1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECCruise Posted November 24, 2016 #18 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I suspect they see more demand than that small ship can satisfy and/or the cruisers interested in going to Cuba expect more onboard entertainment options than it has. Even though we have spent 10 days on the ground in Cuba, if I were to visit there again on a ship, onboard entertainment would be my very last focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted November 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted November 24, 2016 While this is the Princess forum, there have been discussions about CCL's Fathom cruise line which is now ceasing operations although some of their social impact tours will still be available on other CCL (Carnival Corporation) cruise lines. "Fathom, the one-ship cruise line created by Carnival Corp. in 2015 to offer social-impact cruises, will become a shoreside-only experience in mid-2017, a Carnival spokesman said. The brand's only ship, the Adonia, will be returned to the P&O Cruises fleet in June 2017". It's failure isn't surprising to me because I've been skeptical about their marketing strategy since the beginning. The Dominican Republic "social impact cruises" (selling for as little as $199 for a 7-day cruise) were not successful but CCL plans to continue sailing to Cuba (starting at $1,800 for a 7-day cruise) as "people-to-people" cruises. However CCL has not designated which CCL cruise line will sail to Cuba...maybe a Princess Sun-class ship or the Pacific Princess could be options. Here's a link to additional information: http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fathom-cruises-going-away-but-brand-remains-for-excursions?cid=eltrdb Not surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpj39 Posted November 24, 2016 #20 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Cuba was never on my bucket list Probably not enough interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted November 25, 2016 #21 Share Posted November 25, 2016 I always thought that helping natives to make trinkets or chocolate to sell to tourists was not really the best way to demonstrate volunteerism. Very patronizing For example, description of the chocolate activity: "One local women’s cooperative is actively involved in the cultivation of organic chocolate (cacao) plants, an important source of income for the Puerto Plata region. 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." Seems to me that is just free labor for their commercial venture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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