VOLUNTOURISM BOOST

Continuing its tremendously popular ‘ You Care, We Care.’ voluntourism adventures into the new year, Crystal Cruises is now unveiling more than two dozen voluntourism experiences for its 2019 ocean voyages. Offered on most Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings, the complimentary excursions invite both guests and crew members to give their time and energy to dozens of worthwhile causes around the world. “Whatever philanthropic activities speak to guests’ interests … Crystal is proud to offer opportunities for them to contribute,” states Karen Christensen, Crystal Cruises’ senior vice president and managing director of Australasia. The contribution of guests and crew is that of time and care, with no financial obligations requested. For the new year, Crystal guests and crew can contribute to communities around the world with voluntourism excursions including: assisting at the San Francisco Food Bank; helping to feed the elderly at Mercy Kitchen in Belize; assisting with cleaning duties and caring for the animals at the Samui Animal Shelter in Koh Samui, Thailand; joining with the conservation team in maintaining the botanical gardens in Darwin, Australia; participating in tree planting conservation efforts to help shelter the yellow- eyed penguins of Dunedin, New Zealand; and planting trees at the Heidmork Natural Reserve in Reykjavik, Iceland. crystalcruises.com