Category Archives: Cruises

Voluntourism: Giving Back While You Travel

Today’s travelers are choosing vacations that offer just a little bit more- more experiences, more service, more wine and food, more postcard memories.  But there is a growing trend that the more fulfillment they are looking for is found by giving back to others. Volunteering to help others is not new, but doing it while on vacation is somewhat. It is a great way to help out a country or people in need and maybe leave the place a little better than when you arrived. It is also a great way to get to know the people and what their day to day lives are like. And it is a fantastic experience for families to bond, learn, and share with others.

The opportunities to volunteer are endless.  There are many schools, orphanages, and shelters that can use help in South Africa. You can even help just by taking a safari with Micato Safaris who sends a child to school for each safari they sell. Greaves Tours can take you to visit a school for blind children in Mumbai. Crystal Cruises program ” You Care. We Care” offers free volunteer shore excursions at many ports such as rescuing marine animals in Spain and planting trees in Iceland. Shoretrips GIVE program allows you to help at ports while sailing on any cruise line. You can read to preschoolers in Antigua or Aruba, feed the hungry in Barbados or St. Lucia, and help with animals in Mexico or St. Thomas. These are just a few of the chances you have to help.

The next time you plan a vacation, think about giving a little of your time and service to help others.

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Valentine Cruise to Benefit The American Heart Association

Princess Cruises is offering a special sailing February 10-15, 2014 that will benefit The American Heart Association. The Ruby Princess sails February 10, 2014 out of Fort Lauderdale and includes the ports of Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The cruise will feature unique activities centered around heart healthy living with cooking demonstrations from a celebrity chef and information on heart disease and stress. There will also be special Valentine Day programming that includes a renewal of vows ceremony. To support the American Heart Association all you have to do is take the cruise. A tax-deductible portion of every cruise fare, up to $300 per person, will be matched by Princess Cruises and donated on your behalf.  Princess offers the perfect Valentine’s Day gift and a chance to help others at the same time!

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