Fathom has canceled two of its social-impact cruises to the
Dominican Republic and said its ship will instead sail to Cuba on Oct. 9 and
Nov. 6.
It is the first time Fathom has broken its pattern of
alternating weekly cruises between the two destinations.
Fathom attributed the move to strong demand for Cuba. The
line’s cruises there start at $1,599 while the same length of cruise to the
Dominican has been marketed as low as $199.
The Cuba cruises visit Havana and two other Cuban ports
where travelers have to do certain “people to people” activities, such as
attending cultural events. The Dominican cruises only go to Amber Cove,
Carnival Corp.’s new port in Puerto Plata, where guests do “social impact”
activities intended to help locals. Both sail roundtrip from Miami.
Guests booked on the Oct. 9 and Nov. 6 cruises to the
Dominican Republic can get a full refund, rebook on another Dominican cruise,
or transfer their booking to one of the Cuba voyages at no extra charge. In
that case, Fathom will cover the cost of a $75 visa, a spokeswoman said.