Fathom to offer conversational Spanish classes

 

Fathom cruises will include conversational Spanish classes for passengers to learn a handful of useful phrases before their arrival in Cuba or the Dominican Republic.

The social impact cruise brand said the Spanish, for those who don’t know it already, will help guests work alongside and engage with locals, which will heighten the satisfaction of the cruise.

Fathom said it will also offer dance lessons that feature some of the popular dances, such as merengue in the Dominican Republic and the salsa in Cuba.

A cinema series will showcase films made in and about the two countries.

Stores on the 704-passenger Adonia will offer a “one-of-a-kind” collection of merchandise from “purpose-driven businesses that empower local entrepreneurs around the globe,” Fathom said.

The Adonia will keep its Ocean Grill restaurant and Glass House bar, but Ocean Grill will offer an experience “that extends beyond the flavor-rich foods to help travelers further immerse and understand the cultures they will encounter,” Fathom said.

Fathom, a Carnival Corp. brand, begins cruises next April.

Amber Cove welcomes first ship

The Carnival Victory in Amber Cove on Tuesday.

The arrival of the Carnival Victory opened the new port of Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. It is the first of many Carnival Corp. ships that will dock at the $85 million facility.

Amber Cove is expected to revive cruise tourism on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, which has been dormant for 30 years.

The port includes a pier capable of simultaneously docking two of the cruise company’s largest vessels. It has a shopping village, bars and restaurants, a pool, ziplines, rental cabanas and a large excursion-staging area.

Carnival Corp. has said that Amber Cove will be included on stops from eight of its 10 cruise lines, although at least half of the passengers are expected to come from Carnival Cruise Line.

Amber Cove will serve as a base of operations for the Fathom social-impact brand when it begins sailing to the Dominican Republic next April.

Fathom and Signature sign preferred-supplier deal

Fathom, Carnival Corp.’s social-impact cruise brand, has inked a preferred-supplier agreement with Signature Travel Network.

The deal will allow Fathom to leverage Signature’s cooperative travel network of 205 travel agency members.

Signature President Alex Sharpe said no other company provides what Fathom offers. “We believe Fathom will be a tremendous asset to our portfolio,” he said.

Fathom signed a similar deal with Ensemble Travel Group in August.

Fathom recently retained veteran Carnival Corp. executive Maurice Zarmati to help develop sales support tools. The cruise line expects to begin weekly cruises to the Dominican Republic next April.