Crystal Cruises has unveiled more than two dozen voluntourism experiences for its 2019 ocean voyages.
Offered on most Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings, as well as selected Crystal Esprit itineraries in the West Indies, the complimentary excursions invite guests to give their time and energy to worthwhile causes.
The new 2019 experiences are:
- 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 Corinth, 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 Centre 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 groundskeeping at the historic Mount Stewart House & Gardens in Belfast, UK;
- 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, UK.
“The experiences enable travellers to connect with destinations throughout the world in ways that are intimate and meaningful to them,” says John Stoll, Crystal’s vice president of land programmes.
Each programme selected is carefully vetted by Crystal. The criteria for selecting the activities involve identifying those at which participants can make an immediate positive impact. The organisations determine their greatest needs and then the Crystal team work closely with them on how they would like Crystal to be involved.
The contribution of guests and crew is that of time and care, with no financial obligations requested or required.
