Crystal Cruises Expands You Care, We Care Voluntourism Program

Crystal Cruises is expanding its 2014 You Care, We Care voluntourism program, continuing its commitment to give back to its global cruise destinations.

Via three new complimentary shore-side aid opportunities, guests and crew aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity can help animals, the environment, and orphans in the Channel Islands, Iceland, and Ghana:

• Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, St. Peter Port, Channel Islands -- Support operations, whether it be mucking out the horse stalls or simply walking rescue dogs. (Available with August 1, 17 and 31cruises).

• Heidmork Nature Reserve, Reykjavic, Iceland -- With guidance from a local forestologist, aid conservation efforts by planting trees to protect the volcanic land from erosion. (Available with June 1, 6 and 13 cruises).

• Father’s Home Care Ministries, Takoradi, Ghana -- Help construct a building or clean the playground at a home and guidance center for vulnerable, neglected and disadvantaged children. (Available with a March 28 cruise).

“You Care, We Care harnesses our guests and crew’s spirit of generosity and connects them with people and lands in more intimate and unusual ways,” said John Stoll, vice president of land programs. “New volunteer excursions allow our Crystal family to extend continued goodwill to new places, while revisiting organizations multiple times during a season or over years helps us build even stronger bonds with those communities.”

Via dozens of You Care, We Care excursions, Crystal volunteers will be providing assistance to more than 15 communities in 2014, aiding:

- Animal rescue organizations in Barcelona and Bergen
- Park conservation efforts in Honolulu and near Belfast
- Disadvantaged youths in/near Boston, Singapore, Sihanoukville, and Durban, South Africa
- Disabled and underprivileged adults in Halifax, Livorno, Tallinn, and Valencia.

Crystal’s You Care, We Care program was launched in 2011, with at least one volunteer excursion planned for every cruise. Crystal covers all logistical arrangements and costs for participation.