Table Of Content
While the Dominican Republic is known for its pristine beaches, the Caribbean country has way more to offer travelers of all interests. During a cruise to the Dominican Republic, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in this tropical destination's rich cultural history and adventurous activities. While exploring the city’s vibrant streets, do not miss to indulge in local, typically Caribbean cuisine and fresh coconut. If you don’t want to book an excursion or leave the cruise port area, there’s still plenty to do right there.
Carnival Drives Demand for Amber Cove and Ensenada - Cruise Industry News
Carnival Drives Demand for Amber Cove and Ensenada.
Posted: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Highlights of Puerto Plata region
As your cruise ship pulls into Puerto Plata, you’ll immediately notice the region’s lush, mountainous landscape, with one mountain dominating the rest. To improve the port and boost trade through it, proposals are currently being considered to create natural embankments to allow more vessels to safely enter the port. Additionally, efforts are being made to connect the port to major cities and other ports through rail and road transportation. Also, know as the port of San Pedro de Macoris, this is the oldest port in the Dominican Republic.
Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line
Bavaro Adventure Park offers 110 acres of natural beauty and over 15 fun activities including zip lines, paintball, a bungee trampoline, flight simulators, and many others. This resort-style pool has a swim-up bar, waterslides, a lazy river and plenty of lounge chairs for kicking back and relaxing the day away. Whether you’re setting sail for the first time or a long-time cruising pro, everyone can agree that Amber Cove is a destination you have to see to believe! As one of the top Dominican Republic cruise ports, Amber Cove is your gateway to total island paradise. Here are 10 things you absolutely need to know about one of our favorite Caribbean cruise destinations.
Taíno Bay cruise port amenities
Obviously the pool area is a big draw at Amber Cove, and during the peak of the day (between around 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) it can get pretty crowded if you are in port with large ships. If you are the only ship docked, then it’s not as big a deal. But if there are multiple ships, then it’s smart to arrive early to stake out a prime spot. As well, going later in the afternoon also sees smaller crowds as many head back to the ship despite all aboard not usually being until the evening. When we visited, two of Carnival’s largest ships were in port, making it crowded. If you want a little more elbow room, then there are cabanas that you rent out.
Best Things to Do Near Samana Cruise Port
A New Cruise Port Is Opening in the Dominican Republic - Caribbean Journal
A New Cruise Port Is Opening in the Dominican Republic.
Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The twin slides spin around several times before dumping you into a dedicated splash pool. The entrance can be a little hidden, but it’s along the back of the port area and up a hill. You’ll be able to see the slides from the pool — just head over to figure out where to go.
There are a variety of shops, a place where you can sunbathe on the sand (there is no beach for swimming), large shallow pool, entertainment at the port including an aviary and Monkey Island. Be prepared to barter if shopping at kiosks along the beachfront resort area. In the bazaar-like Bi2JH2O Artisanal Shopping Plaza you’ll find paintings, wood carvings and coral jewelry. The Galerías at Puntacana Village is a popular outdoor retail spot, while the upscale Palma Real Shopping Village carries high-end international brands. Foodies will love the country's flavorful cuisine, while sunseekers will want to spend hours on the white sand beaches that decorate the coastline. Common Dominican Republic ports include Puerto Plata and La Romana.
The port got its name from the northern coastline, called the Amber Coast. It is called that due to its rich deposits of golden-yellow amber. There are plenty of excursions to choose from in Santo Domingo as well if you want a done-for-you tour that gets you the city’s highlights in a short amount of time. Santo Domingo Cruise Port is located in the capital city of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.
You can see a list of the charges in the “Price List” section above. You’d think that getting back and forth would be cheap, but think again. Taxi rates from the port to town are sky-high, costing $70 round trip according to the rates seen posted. With that in mind, it’s likely worth it to book an excursion instead if you want to go to town, which will include transportation.
This family paradise offers encounters with dolphins, sea lions, and sharks. As for the layout of the port area itself, it’s fairly easy to navigate. First, your ship will dock at the pier, and then it’s a short walk to Amber Cove. Once through, straight ahead will be the meeting points for booked shore excursions. To the left are a number of restaurants, shops, and the way to exit the port and grab a taxi. To the right is the “Aqua Zone” that’s complete with a huge pool, waterslide, cabanas, and much more (more on this below).
This restaurant and bar is located a 2 minute walk from Independence Park and has indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll find tasty, unique beverages, delicious local Dominican cuisine and friendly staff. Two restaurants in the Taino Bay cruise port are Sanmagu and Casa Palapa. There is also Cortaito, which is a pastry and coffee shop and a total of seven bars.
La Romana airport is 5 miles northeast of the cruise terminal and has daily direct flights to and from Miami. La Romana (a small port city with a population of around 130,400) is in the eponymous southern province of the Dominican Republic. The port city is on the southeast coast of the island, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The cruise port in La Romana is around 200 miles (340 km) west of San Juan and 421 miles (678 km) north of Aruba. Cruise passengers that prefer to explore ports on your own will find it straightforward to travel to most attractions close by Amber Cove. There are public buses, which can be complicated to navigate unless you are a fluent Spanish speaker but there are Taxis and Car Rental available.
Cruise ships either dock at the Sans Souci Zone or at the Don Diego Quay. Secondly, La Romana Town Cruise Terminal is situated along the south-eastern shores of the DR. It is close to famous resort towns Punta Cana and Cap Cana. Stunning destinations like Bayahibe and the tropical island Isla Saona are also close by. There are several small aviaries that are located throughout the Taino Bay port.
You’ll probably find a number of other excursions during your visit to Puerto Plata. Think about the type of experience you’d want to have and find a well-reviewed excursion that fits. If you aren’t sure, a guided city tour of Puerto Plata is always a good idea so you can get an overview of the area. Keep in mind that if you book an independent excursion not through the cruise line, it’s your responsibility to make sure you get back to the ship on time. If you book the excursion through your cruise line, they will be responsible for making sure you get back.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous to do, you can book a zipline tour or a horseback ride through the Dominican countryside here as well. Isla Saona is a natural paradise with plenty of pristine coral reefs, mangrove forests, diverse wildlife, and pristine beaches. You can sunbathe, swim, go snorkeling, or explore the island’s hidden coves and lagoons while you are there. Many cruises to La Romana usually come from Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao or other Caribbean gems. La Romana is also a famous starting point for Caribbean cruises because it is close to major airports.
Cruise passengers wondering what to do on a cruise to La Romana will find that some attractions are better to enjoy with cruise excursions. That's the case if you wish to explore the highlights of Santo Domingo, enjoy a beach break in Catalina Island, or kayak in the Chavón River. But there are experiences that cruise visitors can easily enjoy independently or on their own.
No comments:
Post a Comment