The Dominican Republic’s cruise tourism sector recorded strong activity between October 12 and 15, when the ports of Puerto Plata and Pedernales received 11 cruise ships carrying 45,627 passengers, according to Dominican Port Authority data.
Puerto Plata accounted for most of the arrivals, with Amber Cove receiving six ships and 27,707 passengers, while Taíno Bay welcomed four ships carrying 13,628 passengers. Combined, the two Puerto Plata terminals received 41,335 passengers, or 90.6% of the total.
In Pedernales, Cabo Rojo received one cruise ship with 4,292 passengers, highlighting the continued growth of cruise activity in the emerging tourist destination.
Dominican Port Authority Executive Director Alejandro Campos said cruise arrivals provide an opportunity to generate income for small and medium-sized businesses and expand the economic benefits of tourism to local communities.
Based on an estimated average expenditure of US$100 per passenger, the Port Authority projects that the 45,627 cruise passengers could generate approximately US$4.56 million for the economies of the destinations they visited.
Among the ships that called at Amber Cove were Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Vista, Carnival Magic, Caribbean Princess, and Regal Princess. Taíno Bay received Norwegian Luna, Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity Beyond, and Resilient Lady, while Freedom of the Seas docked at Cabo Rojo in Pedernales.