Start the new year with plans to give back to the community with Crystal Cruises‘ You Care. We Care voluntourism excursions. The cruise line has unveiled a number of experiences for its 2019 ocean cruises which invite both guests and crew members to give their time and energy to dozens of worthwhile causes around the world.
Voluntourism adventures for 2019
The experiences will be offered on many Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings for 2019, as well as selected Crystal Esprit itineraries in the West Indies. The You Care. We Care program was initially launched in 2011 and has since garnered great interest from cruisers looking to connect with destinations on a deeper level.
Voluntourism adventures announced so far include:
- Assisting at the San Francisco Food Bank, Clatsop Community Action Food Bank in Astoria, Oregon and Mustard Seed Food Bank in Victoria, British Columbia
- Playing games, reading, dancing and participating in an array of other activities with the elderly and children at the Granitos de Paz Foundation in Cartagena, Colombia
- Helping to feed the elderly at Mercy Kitchen in Belize
- Assisting with cleaning and caring for the animals at the Samui Animal Shelter in Koh Samui, Thailand
- Getting an up-close look at the wildlife at Territory Wildlife Park and joining the conservation team in maintaining the park’s botanical gardens in Darwin, Australia
- Participating in tree planting conservation efforts to shelter the yellow-eyed penguins of Dunedin, New Zealand
- Assisting with gardening and other household duties at Domus Christi Home for the Elderly in Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Assisting with meal preparation or recreational activities at Smile of a Child in Cornith, Greece
- Helping prepare food and create ceramic artwork with the disabled at the Pio Monte della Misericordia in Sorrento, Italy
- Learning about the conservation of marine life and participating in the theoretical rescue of a dolphin at the Rehabilitation Center of Prat de Llobregat in Barcelona, Spain
- Assisting with the work at the Gallinas & Focas home for the mentally challenged, tending gardens and olive groves in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Assisting with grounds-keeping at the historic Mount Stewart House & Gardens in Belfast, U.K.
- Planting trees at the Heidmork Natural Reserve in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Visiting the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in St. Peter Port, U.K.
John Stoll, Crystal Cruise’s Vice President of Land Programs said:
“We feel privileged to offer our ‘You Care. We Care’ program. It is near and dear to the hearts of the Crystal Family and our guests by providing experiences that not only enrich the communities and organizations we visit, but also enables travelers to connect with destinations throughout the world in ways that are intimate and meaningful to them. Whatever philanthropic activities speak to guests’ interests – whether its environmental and wildlife conservation or interacting with local citizens – Crystal is proud to offer opportunities for them to contribute.”
The contributions from passengers and crew members is only of time and care, with no financial obligations required. Crystal Cruises provides financial and other resources annually to many of the charities visiting during the voluntourism experiences.
Additionally, through its cruise donation program, Crystal supports organizations around the globe with their fundraising efforts. Some of the organizations that the company has supported in 2018 include the Susan G. Komen Foundation; The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; PAWS Humane Society of Broward County; Miami City Ballet; American Heart Association; Coast Guard Foundation; Special Olympics of Florida; Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra; TOKI Rapa Nui School of Music & Arts (Easter Island); Baptist Health; and Camillus House.
The cruise line recommends passengers to pre-reserve them in advance if you are interested.
Does this sound like something you would like to be involved in when sailing with Crystal Cruises? Which voluntourism experience would you most likely choose? Let us know in the comments below!