Taking the Kids -- to Cuba on the first U.S. cruise ship to sail here in more than 50 years
HAVANA, Cuba -- Talk about bragging rights!
Tyson Russell, 10, his younger sister Lucy, 8, and a gaggle of cousins were the first American kids to step off an American ship in Cuba in more than 50 years.
"Cool," Tyson said.
"No one I know has been here," added his cousin Jacob Russell, 12. "It's exciting!"
It's all the more exciting because hundreds of Cubans lined the shore cheering and waving as the 700-passenger Adonia sailed in to Havana harbor. The passengers waved back and then were greeted on shore with high-fives and hugs. "I didn't expect that," Noah Russell, 15, said. "It made me feel really good."
That was true for all of the passengers aboard Adonia, the first ship in a new Carnival brand called Fathom, which is devoted to immersive and impactful travel. There were 16 Cuban-born Americans on board, some returning for the first time, some who work for Carnival Corporation, all hoping to see homes they left as young children. Cuba just last week agreed to permit Cuban-born Americans to travel here by boat. "This is the best thing we can do to break down barriers, to bring people together," said Carnival Corporation president and CEO Arnold Donald, who was onboard for the historic arrival.
For Tara Russell, Tyson and Lucy's mom, the fact that her children, mom, extended family, including her niece and nephews, can share this experience is the best Mother's Day gift of her life. "I'm living my dream this week," she said. Russell is the president of Fathom, who's spearheading a new cruise concept focusing on voluntourism in the Dominican Republic and also immersive experiences to Cuba. The hope is to encourage younger, non-cruisers -- especially families -- on board for a different kind of vacation experience.
I've learned firsthand that encouraging kids to be global citizens, to be comfortable outside their own comfort zones, helps them navigate unfamiliar and difficult turf in their lives as they grow up.
That Russell's kids and husband were able to join her on the inaugural Dominican and Cuban cruises and see how fully engaged they have been in the programming she has worked so hard to develop, not only underscores what she is trying to accomplish with Fathom, but personally "is such a gift," she said. "Crazy good!"
Certainly the Cuba programming is a work in progress. As required by the United States, Americans traveling to Cuba must participate in eight hours of approved "people-to-people" experiences daily (that doesn't leave much time for Cuba's beautiful beaches). Some P-to-P programs are excellent, others need work.
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