“If you build it, they will come.”
This is the model adopted by the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) in celebrating the founding of the Dominican Republic. New “Tourist Port” Cabo Rojo on the island’s remote southern coast.
The port will welcome its last cruise ships of the year in 2024, with a total of five cruise ships calling in the first year.
royal caribbean ocean adventure Arriving on October 16, 2024, Holland America’s european dam no.Called on November 20, 2024, is helping cruise ship passengers put this new destination on the map.
Cabo Rojo in Pedernales begins receiving cruise ships to the port in early 2024, starting with 2,394 passengers from Norwegian Cruise Line norwegian pearl and KLM 2,106 passengers in January. new amsterdam April.
arrival ocean adventure and european dam no. Cabo Rojo is expected to add 3,114 and 2,250 passengers respectively. ocean adventure It is expected to return before the end of the year on December 11th.
Although the port is still under development, five cruise calls in 2024 mark a successful start to the new destination. The port authority’s call volume has steadily increased as the port continues to be built into new destinations.
Carnival Corporation, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Cunard Cruises, plans to operate from 2025 to March 2026 During this period, 13 cruise ships docked at the port.
Sharon Mei, manager of nearby private destination Amber Cove, said cruise operators were testing the new port.
“They’re sending one. If it’s done well, they’ll add (cruises) based on the facilities.” he said.“Issues of water, transportation, tour guides…the organization is very delicate.”
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean also plan to add flights to Cabo Rojo. NCL will bring more guests on board norwegian gems Starting January 7, 2025, Royal Caribbean will return in May 2025 ocean adventure.
Ambitious developing cruise destination
Cabo Rojo is Developed at a cost of US$126 million. In January 2024, it completed a 656-foot-long pier and a berth to accommodate multiple vessels and began welcoming cruise ship passengers to the area, which features beaches and local shopping.
However, early reviews from passengers Cruise ship honeycomb panels Indicates that the port is not ready yet. One guest said, “Give it a year. While everyone is working extremely hard to make our visit a success, it is clear that the port is not ready yet.”
“The best way to think about Cabo Roho is to compare it to the new version of Amber Bay.” The guest continued.
Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, owned by the Carnival Corporation, gives you a preview of what’s possible in Cabo Rojo. The port, more than 160 miles from Punta Rojo, saw 80,184 passengers and 23,801 crew members pass through between January and August 2024, a 13% increase from the same period last year.
Also read: Amber Bay, Dominican Republic – Everything you need to know
More than half of the visitors are Americans, and popular excursions include visits to Damajagua’s 27 waterfalls, Playa Dorada and city tours of the historic centre.
“We offer a different standard of service to American passengers,” May said. “They are cruise ship passengers who like to get out: almost more than 50% go on excursions and 8% take taxis.”
Long-term plans for Cabo Rojo to become a tourism hub include the construction of nine resorts, a water park and an international airport.
