60
DECEMBER2015
•
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
hemi culture
CruiseMarketWatch cites
an incredible average growth
of 6.5percent per year since
1990, from3.77million
passengers to aprojected
22.24million for 2015.
“Part of the rising
popularity is due to splashy
new ships that are debuting
with somany fun activities
onboard,” Brown says. With
15 ships slated to debut
in the next two years, her
theory carrieswater.
However, the risingnumber
of passengers is alsodue in
part toa, ahem, sea change
within the industry. Cruise
lineshave traditionally tried
tomaximizepassengers’ time
onboard the ship,with fewer
overnight stays and limited
shoreexcursions—until now.
“Cruise lines are creating
increasinglyexperiential tours
when inport andare staying
at destinations longer togive
passengersmore timeon land,”
Brownexplains. “Now, you can
explore theworldby shipas a
traveler, notmerelya tourist.”
Here, a guide towhat
awaits travelers in2016.
Amere 90 nautical miles fromKey
West,Cuba nonetheless feels worlds
away for most Americans. Travel-
embargoed since 1963,Cuba doesn’t
have Frappuccinos or Big Macs,
which is precisely why experts pre-
dict that thawingdiplomatic relations
should touch off awave ofAmerican
tourists. One company counting
on traffic is Fathom, a brand new
voluntourism-focused cruise line
under theCarnival umbrella,which is
expected to complete itsfirstMiami-
to-Havana itinerary inMay—making
it the first American cruise ship to
harbor in theCuban capital inmore
than50years.Over thecourseof their
stay,guestswill have the opportunity
to exploreHavana’s vibrant culture,
white sand beaches, andUNESCO
World Heritage–recognized his-
torical center. However, certain
caveats apply: Guests are expected
to spend eight hours a day involved
in a pursuit dedicated to increas-
ing cultural, artistic, or religious
understanding.Does researching the
history of themojito count?
Havana, Cuba
TheFathomAdonia
new ports
2015
cruise special
INDUSTRYFIRSTS
FIRSTSNOWGROTTO
>
VIKINGSTAR
Part of theNordic spaaboardViking’s first ocean ship, theone-of-a-kind snowgrotto features indoor flurries,whichare said to
aid circulation. It’sa (literally) coolway to finally liveout your Frozen fantasies.
ITINERARY:
ROUNDTRIPFROMMIAMI
STEVEALLEN/GETTY IMAGES (GLACIER); LISETTEPOOLE/THENEWYORK TIMES/REDUX (HAVANA)
