The Dominican Republic welcomed over 56,000 cruise passengers during the last week of October, according to the Dominican Port Authority, known as Apordom. In total, 56,330 passengers arrived aboard 15 ships over a span of just seven days.
Cruise operations took place across four terminals, with Puerto Plata on the north coast handling the majority of the traffic, recording 11 of the total 15 ship calls. Other terminals, including Cabo Rojo and La Romana, contributed to the week’s totals.
In Puerto Plata, Amber Cove received six vessels, including the Caribbean Princess, Eurodam, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Celebration, representing a mix of cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line. Taíno Bay saw five ship visits, featuring ships like Celebrity Beyond, Scarlet Lady from Virgin Voyages, Allure of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Getaway.
Together, the two terminals in Puerto Plata accounted for nearly 75% of the cruise calls during this period, highlighting the region’s significance in the Dominican cruise tourism sector.
In addition to Puerto Plata, Cabo Rojo welcomed three ships—the Freedom of the Seas, Norwegian Viva, and MSC Poesia—bringing passengers from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises to the southwest coast. La Romana rounded out the week with the arrival of Mein Schiff 2 on October 30, which carried 2,634 passengers.
This influx of cruise visitors supports tourism activities across various regions of the country, benefiting excursion operators, transportation providers, and local businesses near the ports.
Looking ahead, Alejandro Campos, executive director of Apordom, indicated that the growth in cruise operations is aligned with the country’s projections for over three million cruise passengers by 2026. While current figures do not provide a direct year-over-year comparison, they illustrate a robust week for the Dominican cruise industry with 15 ship arrivals and significant passenger numbers.
