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11 Best Shore Excursions in Puerto Plata for Cruise Ship Visitors

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Puerto Plata is a favorite stop for numerous cruise companies. And it is no secret why that is. Puerto Plata, located on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic, has beautiful coastlines, luscious green landscapes, and very friendly and welcoming residents. If you have booked a Caribbean cruise, you may find yourself lucky to discover that Puerto Plata is one of the ports of call on your vacation. You’ll need to decide from the many shore excursions in Puerto Plata which one you’d like to choose from. This can be a hard decision as there are many wonderful options available. 

With its idyllic palm-fringed beaches, cultural heritage, and many activities, Puerto Plata is an excellent port of call to visit. If you are wondering what to do while in port, you will discover that there are so many things to see and do in Puerto Plata. You will have no problem filling your day with adventure while exploring Puerto Plata and its rich cultural history. 

Table of Contents

• 1 Should You Book Your Excursion On Your Own or Through Your Cruise Ship?
• 2.1 If You Arrive at Amber Cove Cruise Port
• 2.2 If You Arrive at Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s Cruise Port
• 3 The Best Shore Excursions in Puerto Plata
• 4 Puerto Plata City Tour
• 5 Puerto Plata Aerial Tramway El Teleferico
• 6 Amber Cove and Taino Bay 2-Person Buggy Tour
• 7 The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
• 8 Waterfalls and Buggys Cruise Ship Shore Excursion
• 9 Zip Line and Waterfall Tour Combo with Lunch
• 10 Monkey Land Excursion
• 11.1 Amber Club Beach Getaway
• 11.2 Iberostar Costa Dorada
• 11.3 Fricolandia Private Beach Club
• 12 Catamaran Snorkeling Tours
• 13 The Cruise Ports in Puerto Plata
• 14 Staying in Port
• 15 Things to Do at Amber Cove Cruise Port in Puerto Plata
• 16 Things to Do at Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s Cruise Port
• 17 Puerto Plata Shore Excursions Recap
• 18 Popular & Related Posts

Should You Book Your Excursion On Your Own or Through Your Cruise Ship?

This is a question that many people ask. There are benefits to both scenarios that you should take into consideration when deciding how to book your shore excursions in Puerto Plata. First and most importantly, if you book your shore excursion through your cruise line, they guarantee that you will not be left behind if there is a delay while you are on your shore excursion. This is important because getting left behind in a port has serious implications and costs, such as needing a passport to fly to the next port, the cost of getting to the next port, and finding a place to stay overnight. The drawback to booking an excursion through your cruise line is the cost. Most shore excursions are pricey, and the costs will increase quickly if you purchase excursions for the whole family. 

The benefit of booking excursions on your own is that you will be paying a reduced price for the same excursion you can book through the cruise line. Also, local tour operators are well aware of the needs of their customers, especially cruise ship passengers. They know that you must return to your ship by a designated time and make sure that you are back in time. One of the drawbacks of booking your own shore excursion is that sometimes shore excursions are specifically tailored for the cruise line. You might not be able to find the exact shore excursion that your cruise ship offers.

Getting to Puerto Plata From the Cruise Ports in Puerto Plata

The shore excursions offered to cruise passengers in Puerto Plata are tailored specifically for cruise passengers. This means that most shore excursion tour operators offer pickup options from either cruise port. While this added benefit is worked in with most excursions, there might be the off chance that you will need to find your own way into town from your cruise port. Do not worry; getting to town is very easy from the Amber Cove cruise port , and especially Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s cruise port .

If You Arrive at Amber Cove Cruise Port

If you arrive in Puerto Plata via Amber Cove, you will need to get a ride into town since Amber Cove cruise port is 8 miles away. Taxis are available in Amber Cove to take you into town or to other destinations around the area. The cost of taxi services is set by the taxi union and posted in the taxi waiting area right outside the cruise port. The cost for a ride into town is $30.00 per vehicle for a maximum of 5 passengers. The price for additional passengers is $4.00 per passenger.  

If You Arrive at Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s Cruise Port

If you arrive in Puerto Plata via Taino Bay Cruise Port , you are in luck, as Taino Bay is located near the heart of the city. You should not have any problem connecting with your shore excursion company near the cruise port. And, since you are very near the center of town, you can explore Puerto Plata on foot or walk along the boardwalk known as the Malecon. You can also take a taxi to various points of interest around Puerto Plata.

The Best Shore Excursions in Puerto Plata

If you go beyond the cruise port, you will find that there are many exciting things to do in Puerto Plata and the surrounding area. It can be challenging to decide which shore excursion to book. Here are a few of the best excursions in Puerto Plata to help you decide.

Puerto Plata City Tour

The Puerto Plata City Tour is one of the most popular shore excursions in Puerto Plata. During the Puerto Plata City Tour, you will learn about Puerto Plata’s history and culture. On this city tour, you will visit sites such as the Independence Plaza, the town square in the center of town, Macorix House of Rum, and the popular Umbrella Street and Paseo de Dona Blanca, which is also known as Pink Street. You will also visit the Fortaleza San Felipe, which was a fort used to protect the city of Puerto Plata against pirates. You will also stop by an Amber Museum, a Cigar factory, and a Chocolate Factory. 

This tour offers pick-up from both Amber Cove and Taino Bay, so you do not have to worry about finding transportation for your tour. You will also find a similar tour offered by your cruise line.

Puerto Plata Aerial Tramway El Teleferico

A great excursion to go on to start exploring Puerto Plata and get a perfect bird’s-eye view of Puerto Plata and the surrounding area is the Aerial Tramway, a  popular attraction in Puerto Plata . The aerial tramway, known as the Teleferico, is a cable car ride that takes you up to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres. Mount Isabel de Torres is a 793 meter high mountain located to the south of the town of Puerto Plata. As you ascend the mountain, you see that this in one of the  best places to see panoramic views  of the beautiful town of Puerto Plata and the lush tropical landscape of the mountainside.

The aerial tramway ends at the top of Mount Isabel De Torres which is a national park in the Dominican Republic. At the top, you will find a gift shop, a restaurant, and a miniature replica of the statue of Christ the Redeemer from Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. At the time of this writing, this excursion was not offered by most cruise lines. If you decide to ride the aerial tramway you will need to take a taxi to the tramway.

Amber Cove and Taino Bay 2-Person Buggy Tour

This is a rugged half-day dune buggy tour through the Puerto Plata Province, where you will have an exhilarating off-road experience. You will also stop at Playa Dorada, a popular and beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic, where you will be able to stop and go for a swim. There are different varieties of off-road buggy experiences to choose from. Your cruise ship will also offer a similar tour. This tour also offers pick-up at both Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports.

The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

The Waterfalls of Damajagua is by far one of the more popular shore excursions in Puerto Plata. While there are 27 waterfalls in Damajagua, you will likely only see seven or twelve. This tour is an adventure tour that involves hiking through the forest until you reach the waterfalls. At the waterfall, you will enjoy the water and the natural slides down the waterfall. Lunch is generally included with this tour. You will find a variety of different tours of the waterfalls. This tour also offers pick-up from Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports. You will also find similar waterfall tours offered by the cruise line. 

Waterfalls and Buggys Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

This excursion is a great choice if you would like to combine the waterfalls and buggy excursion. This is a half-day tour with lunch included. You will hike to the waterfall, where you will enjoy the water and the natural slides. After your visit to the waterfall, you will enjoy an all-terrain buggy ride. This tour offers pick-up from Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports. You will find a similar tour offered by your cruise line. 

Zip Line and Waterfall Tour Combo with Lunch

If you would like an exhilarating adventure, you can combine the waterfall hike with a zip line adventure. You will enjoy the cool water and going down the natural slides of the waterfall. You will also enjoy ziplining over the waterfalls. This tour includes lunch and pick-up from Amber Cove and Taino Bay. You will also find a similar excursion offered by your cruise line.  

Monkey Land Excursion

Monkey Land is a popular shore excursion in Puerto Plata that takes you into the jungle, where you will listen to the wildlife while looking for the popular squirrel monkeys found in the Dominican Republic. You will be given a plate of fruit to feed the monkeys. The monkeys will visit you, hoping to get a bite of the fruit. The monkeys are friendly and loveable. However, you will be trained on how to interact with the monkeys to avoid any problems as they are wild animals. Many cruise lines offer this tour. 

The Monkeyland Puerto Plata Tour is similar to the one offered by the cruise. There is also a similar tour, the Monkey Jungle with Zipline tour, which combines an exciting zipline with a visit to Monkey Jungle. Before booking these tours, you will need to confirm that they offer pick-up and drop-off to your cruise port.

You will also find many other excursions to choose from here.

Beach Resort Getaways

A great way to spend the day is at a beach resort, relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the beach or pool. Beach resort getaways are a popular option. Many are offered as shore excursions in Puerto Plata. These are a few popular choices.

Amber Club Beach Getaway

A day at Amber Club Beach Resort might be what you are looking for. Your cruise line offers a variety of all-inclusive and a la carte options, such as the Amber Beach Club Getaway. You can choose an all-inclusive option at this resort or pay for drinks and meals as you order them. Various cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America , offer this getaway.

Iberostar Costa Dorada

This is an all-inclusive beach escape with air-conditioned transportation to the Iberostar Costa Dorada Resort. You can enjoy their swimming pool and beautiful beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas are included for the day, as are unlimited drinks and snacks. Lunch at the main restaurant is also included. Some cruise lines offer this resort escape, or you can contact the resort to purchase a day pass. 

Fricolandia Private Beach Club

You can spend your day at Fricolandia Private Beach Club, enjoying the picturesque shoreline. To reach the crystal clear waters of the ocean, you will need to go down a wooden staircase. You can choose to enjoy their refreshing cliffside swimming pools instead of walking down to the beach. Lunch and drinks are included in this tour. This beach getaway is offered by several cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line , Norwegian Cruise Lines , and Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line. You can also purchase this excursion on your own.

Other Beach Clubs you can purchase on your own are Ocean Breeze Beach Club and Taino Bay Beach Club. Before buying a day pass, you should confirm any transportation needs with the tour operator or resort, or you can easily take a taxi if necessary. 

Catamaran Snorkeling Tours

If you are looking for a refreshing tour where you will enjoy swimming in the ocean, then I recommend a catamaran snorkeling tour. While you will find independent tour operators offering catamaran snorkeling tours, I recommend taking this tour through your cruise line only, and I do stress “only” if it is offered by your cruise ship. Independent tours tend to run 6 hours or more, and you will risk returning to your ship after the all-aboard time if you do this tour on your own. 

The Cruise Ports in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata has two cruise ports, Amber Cove and Taino Bay. The port you will stop at will depend on the cruise line you are traveling with. 

Amber Cove Cruise Port was developed by Carnival and is primarily used by Carnival Cruise ships, although other cruise lines occasionally visit. The port has two berthing positions and can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers. It is located about 8 miles up the coast from the main town of Puerto Plata. 

Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s cruise port, is located near the heart of Puerto Plata and is within walking distance of the town of Puerto Plata. Taino Bay Cruise Port has three berthing positions and can accommodate up to 14,000 passengers. The port is used by cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and MSC.

Staying in Port

Both Amber Cove and Taino Bay have many activities. You can stay in port and have a full day enjoying the many activities offered at each cruise port.

Things to Do at Amber Cove Cruise Port in Puerto Plata

Amber Cove is a great port of call. It was developed by Carnival for its cruisers and it does not disappoint. If you choose to stay in port at Amber Cove, there are a variety of activities to keep you busy. 

If you like shopping, you are in luck. There are many shops to explore at Amber Cove. You will find items such as local artisan products, cigars, and the popular Mamajuana cocktail. And as in many other ports of call, there is also a Diamonds International store where you can find incredible jewelry to purchase.

Amber Cove has a large pool area where you can spend the day swimming or sunbathing. There is also a small splash pad for the kids. If you are more daring, you can ride the zipline across the Amber Cove pool area. 

Other activities at Amber Cove include snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Equipment for these activities is available to rent. If you are looking for a quiet day, you can rent a cabana for your port day.

There are several restaurants and bars in port where you can enjoy lunch and a refreshing cocktail. This option would be an additional cost. You can also head back to the cruise ship for lunch. Going back to the cruise ship is easy as there is no tender at Amber Cove. Read our blog to discover more about the many things to do at Amber Cove Cruise Port.

Things to Do at Taino Bay, Puerto Plata’s Cruise Port

The Dominican Republic developed Taino Bay Cruise Port to accommodate cruise lines other than Carnival. If you decide to stay in port, you can enjoy a variety of activities at Taino Bay. 

Taino Bay has an incredible shopping area where you can find many artisan products and souvenirs to take home. As in many other ports, you will find Diamonds International, where you can find beautiful pieces of jewelry to purchase. 

Taino Bay has a wonderful pool area where you can relax and enjoy sunbathing or swimming the day away. There is a beach area specifically for sunbathing where you will have a great view of your cruise ship. Unfortunately, there is no beach at Taino Bay. You can float down the lazy river if you want a more leisurely water experience. Inner tubes are available without charge.

If you are interested in learning about the local spider monkeys, Monkey Island is a great place to visit. At Monkey Island, you will spend 30 minutes interacting with curious spider monkeys. Read our blog to discover more about the many things to do at Taino Bay Cruise Port.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions Recap

There are many shore excursions to choose from. Whether you choose to venture out and explore the town, spend a day relaxing at a beach resort, or spend the day enjoying the activities in port, we are sure you will have an incredible time during your port day in Puerto Plata. Happy Cruising!

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10 Best Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: Puerto Plata Cruise Port Tours

Posted on Published: March 9, 2023  - Last updated: March 13, 2024

Categories Blog , Caribbean , Cruise , Dominican Republic , Resources , Reviews , Tours

Here are the best Puerto Plata shore excursions for your next trip to the Dominican Republic. If you’re visiting the Dominican Republic from a cruise ship, you may be searching for the most amazing Puerto Plata cruise port tours. If your ship is docking at the Amber Cove cruise port or the Taino Bay port, we’ve got you covered!

The north coast of the Dominican Republic is absolutely stunning. There are beautiful natural wonders by land and by sea, as well as postcard perfect coastlines. This region is also known as the Amber Coast due to the region’s large natural amber deposits. Since the Amber Cove cruise port opened in 2015, a second cruise port, Taíno Bay opened in 2021.

This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Should I book my tours independently or through the cruise ship?

When you’re booking your tour on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, you may wonder if it’s necessary to book your shore excursions through the cruise line. Please note that you may have to book a couple of these excursions through the cruise ship, and they may not be available with all cruise lines. I’ll provide details about booking some of these tours independently if they aren’t available through the cruise ship.

Many of the Puerto Plata shore excursions can be booked independently from the cruise ship. I find that the cruise ships always charge a premium price and you can find much better deals if you book the tours independently. These tour companies are well aware of the fact that the cruise ship will leave without you if you do not make it back to the Puerto Plata cruise port on time.

Don’t worry, they’ll get you back on time! It’s always a good idea to remind your tour operator that you will need to be back to the ship by a certain time, too. So, without further ado, here are the best shore excursions in Puerto Plata and beyond.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

27 Waterfalls of Damajagua (or 27 Charcos, as the locals call them) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Plata. Much like the name suggests, this natural wonder consists of 27 waterfalls and there are naturally formed rock slides between them.

Most visitors only experience 12 waterfalls in one visit due to time restraints and the effort it takes to cross all of the waterfalls in a single day. Your tour guide provides you with a helmet and a life jacket for your safety. You’ll embark on an uphill hike to the top of the 12th waterfall, a moderate hike taking about 40 minutes. It takes 70 minutes to hike to the top of the 27th waterfall.

Once you reach the top of the waterfall, it’s time for the really fun part. Slide across the rocky ledges down each waterfall and into the natural swimming pools below. For the larger drops, you can experience a thrill of a lifetime or take an alternate route down if you don’t feel comfortable with the drops. The Damajagua Waterfalls is one of the top Puerto Plata shore excursions for lovers of the great outdoors. Book your tour here.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: City Highlights Tour

Sometimes when you visit a new place, you want to see the most popular attractions and highlights all in one day. Out of all the Puerto Plata shore excursions, I recommend booking a city highlights tour to get an overall sense of the city. This is a fantastic choice for first time visitors to Puerto Plata.

You’ll travel between the attractions in a private air-conditioned vehicle and you’ll also avoid the crowds this way, too. In a half day tour, you’re able to cover so much ground on this tour of Puerto Plata with your local guide.

Some attractions you’ll see include the Macorix House of Rum, Independence Square (Puerto Plata Central Park), the San Felipe Fortress, Umbrella Street, Fifi Jewelry Amber Museum, Del Oro Chocolate Factory, and Catedral San Felipe (The Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle).

Your tour guide, Edwin, provides you with an amazing introduction to this vibrant Dominican city. One past customer raved, “Edwin is a wonderful, kind, funny, knowledgeable, and respectful guide.” Book your tour here.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: Visit a Beautiful Beach

One of the top reasons to visit the Dominican Republic is to experience the beautiful beaches. I suggest visiting my blog post about the 20 best beaches in Dominican Republic and choosing one near Puerto Plata. Some of the best beaches near Puerto Plata include Playa Dorada (it’s the closest), Sosua Beach, Encuentro Beach and Cabarete Beach.

You can easily take a taxi to any of these beaches, making sure to arrange a pickup time to return back to the cruise ship. For an even easier option, choose one of the Puerto Plata shore excursions that takes you to a beach. This tour to Playa Dorada (Golden Beach) includes a short city tour, a half day at the beach with a complimentary lounger, and transportation to and from the cruise port. White sand beaches, turquoise water, what more could you ask for?

If you’re looking for a beach excursion in Puerto Plata, this one is the most convenient and delivers exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t mind arranging your own transportation, I also suggest taking a look a little farther down this article to the section on booking a day pass to a resort. However, for the simplest option, book your Playa Dorada tour here.

RePapel, Artisanal Paper with Purpose

RePapel is a small cooperative in a low income community of Puerto Plata and 100% of the workforce are women. These women are local artisans committed to working with natural and recycled products, as well as reducing overall waste.

RePapel allows these women to be self-employed. Before working at RePapel, the women often worked as nannies away from their homes and their families. By working at this co-op, they are able to follow their passions creating handmade products, and spend time with their own families at home after work.

By volunteering at RePapel, we offered extra hands and assistance creating paper products and handmade crafts. We were able to increase the amount of products made, interact with the ladies in English (helping their English skills), and purchase products from their shop. We helped make paper and also jewelry made from paper.

I’ve never met a group of women quite like this one. These are the happiest women I’ve ever met! They are always singing, dancing, and clapping. They only knew us for minutes, yet made us feel welcomed like a part of their family. Even though we spent a small amount of time together, we were hugging each other like we were old friends.

You can book this experience through select cruise ships’ Puerto Plata shore excursions ( Princess , Holland America Line ) . If you aren’t visiting Puerto Plata on a cruise, you may be able to arrange a visit to RePapel. Inquire through their Facebook page or by email (I’m not sure if anyone will reply, but it’s worth a shot!).

Chocal, Hands On Chocolate Experience With Women’s Co-Op

Chocal is a cacao cooperative where you can assist the workers with their chocolate production. This company successfully grows cacao plants and produces chocolate bars for sale all over the Dominican Republic.

The company had to take out a sizeable loan for proper equipment, and cannot afford to hire any more workers at this time. As the women have even gained help from their own children at the cooperative, they’re in need of extra hands to help make more chocolate bars.

Once the organization sells enough chocolate to pay back the loan, they’ll be able to hire more workers that they desperately need. In the meantime, volunteers assist in the various steps of making chocolate.

We sorted cacao beans and cacao nibs; both steps must be done by hand and can be a time consuming job. We also helped create packaging for the cacao balls, and poured chocolate into molds. At the end, we were able to purchase chocolate from their shop as souvenirs for loved ones back home (or to eat on the bus ride back to the ship!).

You can book this experience through select cruise ships’ Puerto Plata shore excursions ( Princess , Holland America Line ). If you aren’t visiting Puerto Plata on a cruise, you may be able to book your visit independently. Check out the Chocal website for contact information.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: Snorkeling Tour

Want the best of Puerto Plata’s beaches and underwater adventures all in one? This snorkeling tour in Puerto Plata takes you to two snorkeling sites in Sosua Bay on a half day tour. It’s one of the best Puerto Plata shore excursions to view underwater sea life.

You’ll drive to Sosua Bay to experience its crystal clear waters and 1km long sandy beach. The tour company provides all equipment (mask, fins, etc.). You’ll take a boat ride to the first snorkel spot, Three Rocks, and then back to Sosua bay for the second coral reef.

After snorkeling, a sun chair awaits you on Sosua Beach where you can relax or swim in the sunshine. There are also many shops and restaurants on Sosua Beach that you’re welcome to check out. Book your snorkeling tour here.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: ATV Tour

Craving excitement? This is one of the top small group Puerto Plata shore excursions for adventure seekers! This ATV Adventure Tour incorporates a half day visit to Country World Adventure Park where you’ll explore the Dominican countryside in a rugged quad one or two-seater.

You’ll get off-road access in a rugged ATV for solo passengers or pairs. Other amenities at Country World Adventure Park (and included with your tour) are an on-site swimming pool, a pool zip line, and tropical botanical garden. Water and coffee/tea is also included.

Even if you’ve never ridden an ATV before, the staff and tour guides will make you feel comfortable and help you learn how to ride them. One reviewer states, “This experience was not only the best excursion I’ve ever been on, it was the highlight of our entire trip!”. Book your tour here.

Resort Day Passes in Puerto Plata

When you’re looking to take it easy, booking a resort day pass is one of the best Puerto Plata shore excursions you can take. The main attraction is relaxing! Essentially, you’ll book a day pass to a beautiful all-inclusive resort and enjoy all the amenities while you’re there. Here are some of the best resort day passes in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Sunscape Puerto Plata Resort & Spa

The Sunscape Resort & Spa is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort on a stunning beach in Puerto Plata. There are many activities to enjoy along with delicious food and drink. When you book a daycation to the Sunscape Resort & Spa, you’ll enjoy three pools, access to the beach area, tennis courts, beach volleyball, pool games, complimentary wifi, an all-inclusive buffet, two snack bars and five open bars. Book your day pass here.

Iberostar Costa Dorada

A day pass to the Iberostar Costa Dorada is an entire day in paradise! This is an all-inclusive, family-friendly resort on an award-winning beach. It’s just 10 minutes away from the Puerto Plata city center. With your all inclusive day pass, enjoy three outdoor pools, a fitness room, tennis courts, basketball courts, and unlimited cuisine from restaurants and bars. There’s complimentary wifi, beach access, and the option to upgrade to have a room at the hotel for the day. Book your day pass here.

Viva Wyndham V Heavens

Spend the day at the beautiful Viva Wyndham V Heavens all-inclusive beachfront resort. Enjoy the white sand beach and turquoise waters along with a fun array of activities and entertainment. There’s an outdoor pool with loungers, an endless amount of food and drinks from on-site restaurants and bars, non-motorized water sports, a fitness center, and complimentary wifi. Book your day pass here.

Spend the Day in Amber Cove

If your cruise ship is docking at the Amber Cove cruise port, you may choose to spend the day there. Amber Cove has fantastic amenities if you’re looking for a swimming pool day or water activities day. Amber Cove cruise port is a great place to walk around and explore. There are palm trees, fountains, man-made waterfalls, and flowers all around. Go shopping or enjoy a coffee tasting at a cute cafe.

At the Amber Cove Aqua Zone, there’s a huge swimming pool with two water slides. There’s also a relaxing lazy river where you can float for hours in the sunshine. The pool has over 1000 loungers all around it, so you won’t have any issues finding a place to take it easy.

While the swimming pool, lazy river and waterslides are free, there are more paid activities that you can do at the Amber Cove Aqua Zone. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, aqua bikes, and other sporting equipment for some exercise in the water for an additional charge at the Amber Cove Aqua Zone.

There’s a 650 foot zip line that runs across the Aqua Zone of Amber Cove. We paid $20 per person to ride the zip line and we were able to ride it an unlimited amount of times all day. It’s one of the best ways to see the beautiful natural scenery from up above, combined with a thrilling ride. Check out our full blog post about Amber Cove to learn more details about everything you can see and do there.

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions: Eat, Drink and Be Merry Tour

Here’s an amazing city tour that offers a true taste of Dominican life. The Eat, Drink and Be Merry Tour , operated by Iguana Mama, provides details about Dominican history, culture, and folklore from knowledgeable local guides. This tour includes transportation to and from the cruise port, and all over the city of Puerto Plata.

You’ll make a couple of stops at famous Puerto Plata attractions, like the Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car to the top of Mt Isabel where you’ll enjoy panoramic views. You’ll also visit the Fortaleza San Felipe and time permitting, go inside the fort.

You will also experience the best Dominican food and drink. Learn the history of rum making on the island and sample 8 different kinds of rum. Have lunch at a beautiful courtyard cafe in a restored Victorian home. And lastly, learn to roll a cigar (and sample, if you wish), drink Mama Juana and it’s party time! Book your tour here.

What Not to Do in Puerto Plata: Swim With Dolphins

When you’re planning your Puerto Plata shore excursion, please, please, please do not swim with dolphins. At Ocean World Adventure Park, Ocean’s World Dolphin Encounter is a captive marine mammal park. I really wish that these kinds of parks no longer existed. Most people who want to swim with dolphins adore animals. But, please know that you are contributing to their suffering by supporting these places.

A British study out of the University of Newcastle found that “these programs are  highly stressful for dolphins  because they disrupt natural resting, feeding and social behavior.” Dolphins are very intelligent, highly sociable creatures. They live and travel in large groups called pods. Holding dolphins captive at aquatic parks is torturous as it separates them from their pods.

You might wonder how these dolphins are captured in the wild and come to live at marine theme parks. They are obtained by methods called “drive fisheries”. While the first purpose of drive fisheries is to slaughter toothed whales, another objective is to sell the most beautiful dolphins to aquariums and marine theme parks.

Out of the captured dolphins that are spared, only 53% of them survive the first three months of captivity. This is one of the most inhumane slaughters in the world. By visiting dolphinariums, you’re contributing to it. Read more about the  negative impacts of swimming with dolphins , and ethical choices for excursions that are fantastic alternatives.

More Blog Posts About Dominican Republic

Looking for more articles about the Dominican Republic and Dominican Republic shore excursions? If your cruise is docking at the Amber Cove cruise port, here are the best things to do in Amber Cove . You may not want to leave the port!

Love beach days? I’ve got a blog post about the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Trust me, these are some of the prettiest beaches in the world and the best places to visit for beach lovers. Here’s my guide to the 20 best beaches in the Dominican Republic .

More Caribbean Cruise Port Guides

Stopping at more ports of call along the way? Here are more of our Caribbean cruise guides:

• St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide: How to Spend a Day in St. Kitts
• Cockleshell Beach in St. Kitts (Shore Excursion)
• How to Explore the St. Thomas Cruise Port
• Things to Do in Barbados From a Cruise Ship
• Best Snorkeling in the Caribbean
• 30 Fun Things to Do in Bonaire
• Best Things to Do in Grenada in a Day
• Nassau, Bahamas Segway Tour (Shore Excursion)
• Best Things to Do in Martinique
• Riding Scooters in Grand Turk
• Best Things to Do in Guadeloupe
• Club Med Guadeloupe Day Pass (Shore Excursion)
• Things to Do in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

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Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

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What to Do in Puerto Plata on a Cruise (Big List + Tips & Things to Know)

Sitting on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata (translation: Silver Port) sits right in the middle between the tip of Cuba and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The area is steeped in history dating back literally to Christopher Columbus, who founded nearby La Isabela as the first European settlement in North America in 1493.

Today the area is a bustling city of approximately 150,000 that’s also become a popular cruise destination with multiple ports. If your cruise includes a stop in Puerto Plata, then you might be wondering what to do during your stay. We’ll cover lots of options of what to experience in Puerto Plata on your cruise, along with some helpful information about what to expect on your day in port.

Overview & What Puerto Plata Like?

Whereas many port cities in this area of the world can seem like they are there only to serve tourists, Puerto Plata is different. Tourism is a major part of the economy, but it’s also a real town.

As you would expect given the location along the coast, the beach plays a big role in the things to do and see. However, there is also history, natural scenery, and dramatic landscapes to enjoy (along with plenty of touristy things too!).

There are two different cruise ports in the area. If you are sailing on a Carnival Corporation line (Carnival, Princess, etc.), then you will dock at Amber Cove. This is a dedicated port area about six miles from the center of Puerto Plata. Built in the mid-2010s, this port is definitely touristy with manicured grounds, a pool/bar area for passengers, shops, and restaurants. You could theoretically spend the entire day here and be entertained.

The second port is the Taino Bay port, located right near the heart of the city. This port also offers the typical touristy shopping port area to passengers, but offers easy access to the sights of the city center as well.

As for the city itself, it offers up a very Latin feel. It’s bustling with tourists and locals going around the city by car, motorcycle, or walking. Buildings are built almost to the street and densely packed, as is common in older cities with Spanish influence, providing a lot to see in a small amount of space.

The surrounding areas are lush and mountainous, giving a natural beauty to the area. It’s also a chance to see the real Dominican Republic in that there are parts that are drop-dead beautiful combined with poorer areas that make you appreciate what you have at home.

That all combines to make Puerto Plata a unique place that offers an experience we found much more interesting than more “sanitized” cruise ports.

Getting Around Puerto Plata

If you plan to leave the port to explore, you have a few options for getting around.

Walking: If you dock at the port near the city center, then you can simply walk many places. For instance, from the port to Parque Central, the walk is just about 15 minutes. It’s another 10-15 minutes to spots like the beachfront and even less time to the famous Umbrella Street and Paseo de Dona Blanca (more on these spots below).

Taxi: If you don’t want to walk or you are docked at Amber Cove, then a taxi is an option. Just know that rates are expensive. A sign posted shows the fixed rates. A ride from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata is $35 each way for up to five passengers. That’s for a trip that’s only about six miles. Still, given Amber Cove’s setup, there really isn’t another option unless taking an excursion.

Shore Excursions: Booking a shore excursion to go out and explore the area? Then your transportation will be included in the trip. Given that the cost of a taxi is fairly high, it’s something that you should consider when pricing out things to do. Having a ride to and from the port included isn’t just convenient, it can save you money.

Things to Do in Puerto Plata on a Cruise

Below we cover a number of things to do while you are in port on your cruise.

Visiting Amber Cove

Sailing on Carnival (or a sister cruise line)? Then you’ll dock at Amber Cove ( see our guide to the port here ). The port area is built as a literal playground for passengers. On one side is a number of shops to explore, a photo opp in front of the ship, and restaurants. The other side includes a large pool area with loungers, a swim-up bar, zipline, waterslides, and a splash pad for small kids. There are also other amenities to rent, from a wi-fi day pass to kayaks to cabanas. In short, you can spend your entire day here in the shadow of the ship if you want.

Visiting Taino Bay

Sailing another cruise line like NCL, Royal Caribbean, MSC, or Virgin Voyages? Then you will dock at the Taino Bay port, right near the center of Puerto Plata. Like Amber Cove, it also provides a lot for passengers to enjoy without going far. There are shops, restaurants, and bars, along with a pool area and man-made beach (though no open water swimming) that offers views of the ship. If you’re wanting to stay close to the ship, this is an easy way to spend the day. Just know that the port area can get crowded.

Isabel de Torres (Cristo Redentor Statue)

Just south of Puerto Plata sits Isabel de Torres — a tree-covered mountain that overlooks the city and the sea. An excursion can take you here (or take the cable car, covered below). It’s a national park and features a walk through beautiful forest and manicured grounds. Here atop the mountain it can be breezy and 20 degrees cooler than at sea level, so be sure to dress a little warmer. But the payoff is the view of the city below and the chance to see Cristo Redentor — a statue of Christ with arms spread that watches over the port.

Umbrella Street

Located near Parque Central, if you’re wanting an “Instagram” spot, this is one of two must-sees. It’s a small cross street that’s closed to traffic and a metal frame structure has been built over it. There, dozens of colorful umbrellas are hung above the street creating a unique area that’s pedestrian-friendly, with small shops to explore, colorful umbrellas, and beautiful bougainvillea plants adding to the atmosphere.

Paseo de Dona Blanca

We mentioned one of two “must-sees” for the most photo-worthy sports. The first is Umbrella Street. The second is Paseo de Dona Blanca. It’s literally a half-block from Umbrella Street, and right near the center of town, making both spots popular to visit at once. What’s special about this alleyway is that it’s pink. We don’t mean a little pink. We mean from the roof of buildings down to the walkway, everything is painted a bright pink. It’s a short walk through the alley, but it’s a unique spot that you can’t miss.

Teleferico to Isabel de Torres (Cable Car)

We mentioned Isabel de Torres — the mountain that overlooks the city with stunning views. There are two ways up. First, you can drive up, or you can take a cable car (also known as the Teleferico). The entrance is about a mile from the cruise port in town. From here you can hop aboard the car for the ride to the top, providing stunning views as you do. Once there, you’ll be right at the Christ the Redeemer statue and can tour the mountain top before heading back down.

Ocean World

You can think of Ocean World as a Puerto Plata version of SeaWorld. It’s a popular spot to enjoy with families as there is lots for kids to do and it sits roughly in the middle between the two cruise ports in the area. You can purchase a day pass (or book an excursion through the cruise line) that gives you access to snorkeling, animal shows, beach, pool, and waterslides. In addition, there are other opportunities to do things like swim with dolphins, or shark and sea lion encounters for an extra cost.

Playa Neptuno

In Puerto Plata there are plenty of beaches — the entire city sits on the coast. But one of the neatest is Playa Neptuno. That’s because sitting off the coast is a small island about 1,000 feet from shore. There is an imposing statue of Neptune erected that looks back over the beach. Perhaps best of all, this beach area is much calmer and quieter than the busy port areas if you’re looking for a place to swim.

Fort San Felipe

We’ve mentioned the history in Puerto Plata, but unfortunately much has been lost to time. One spot that remains is Fortaleza San Felipe. It sits overlooking the Taino Bay cruise port, and when it was built in 1577, it served to protect the harbor from pirates. These days you can tour the fort or just explore the park that surrounds it, with views of the ships, the ocean, and lots of green space.

Amber Museum

Jurassic Park fans may remember one of the opening scenes where a mine in the Dominican Republic finds a piece of amber with a mosquito trapped inside. That led to the cloning of dinosaurs and the invention of the park. These days, amber is a big part of Puerto Plata’s history and culture. You’ll find it for sale in many shops. If you want to know more, you can check out the Amber Museum , which includes a chance to see pieces with historic animals, plants, and insects encased inside.

Parque Central

In most Latin American cities, there is a central plaza that serves as the heart of the city. Puerto Plata fits that bill as well. Parque Central is an open square with seating, vendors, historic statues, and all lined by Spanish colonial architecture including a massive church. Have a seat and you can people watch to your heart’s content. It also serves as a great starting point for exploring the downtown area.

Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

Sure there is lots of history and culture in the area. But when you’re on a cruise, sometimes you just want to party a bit. In that case, look for shore excursions being offered by the cruise line for catamaran sailing with snorkeling. These trips will pick you up, take you on a catamaran ride to a snorkel spot. After a round of snorkeling, it’s back on the ship for lunch, open bar, and music. It’s a fun way to spend the day on the water having a great time.

All-Inclusive Beach Day

Another way to spend the day is with a shore excursion to one of the many all-inclusive resorts in the area. Check your cruise line’s listing of offers. They will likely have 2-3 different options that include time at a beach with food and drinks served. It can be an easy way to spend some time enjoying yourself without the crowds that you’ll find in the port areas.

Damajagua Waterfalls

One of the natural wonders of the area is Damajagua Waterfalls. If you’re wanting an adventure along with something that you can’t do anywhere else, this is it. Your cruise line will have an excursion to the area, which takes you into the forest. You’ll be given a helmet and life jacket, hike into the area where waterfalls and natural pools of water are found. From there, you can slide down the falls or jump off the small cliffs (there are also ladders available). It’s not ideal for small kids or older folks, but those looking for adventure will love it.

Puerto Plata Cruise Tips & Things to Know

If you’re visiting Puerto Plata on a cruise, here are some tips and things to know that can make your day run smoother.

Factor in Ride Costs on Shore Excursions

If you’re looking at an excursion and wondering if you can do it cheaper on your own… likely not. That’s because taxi prices in the area are ridiculously high. A ride from Amber Cove to the city center is only about 6-7 miles but costs $70 round trip. Keep that in mind when considering what you plan to do for the day.

Free Wi-fi in Port

If you’re in port, look around for shops or restaurants offering wi-fi services. As a perk to get you in the door, many offer up wi-fi access for no charge, giving you a chance to check email or get in touch back home for cheap.

Photo Opportunities Are Everywhere

If you want to get a picture in front of the ship, you’re in luck. Both ports offer lots of opportunities to get a souvenir shot. Amber Cove, for instance, features a massive sign that you can stand between, with the cruise ship over your shoulder.

An Easy Rule for Exchange Rates

The U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Puerto Plata, but many things are priced only in Dominican pesos. If you’re wondering about the exchange rate, it’s currently around 55 pesos to 1 dollar. While it’s not perfect, an easy rule of thumb is to just double the price in Dominican pesos and then put a decimal point two places in. So if something is priced at 350 pesos, double it to 700 and then put a decimal two spots in for $7.00. A t-shirt costing 1,300 pesos comes out to roughly $26.00 in U.S. dollars. It’s not perfect, but an easy way to ballpark costs.

Heading to Explore Town? Take Screenshots of a Map Before You Leave

One easy thing to do in port is simply walk around the downtown area, exploring on your own or seeing the sights like Paseo de Dona Blanco or the town square. If you decide to do this, it’s smart to take screenshots of the area on your mapping app for your phone. This way, even if you don’t have service you will have a map to refer to in order to get around town.

Try to Visit Umbrella Street Early

One of the most popular sights in the city is Umbrella Street, but if you’re going to visit, then it’s a good idea to try and go earlier in the day. Given its popularity, the place can fill up in the afternoon when everyone is out and about. An earlier visit should give you more time for pictures without having too many other people in the shot.

Public Beaches Are Everywhere

If you just want to hang on the beach, then there are a number of public beaches around. However, the port areas themselves don’t offer public beach access. You’ll have to go outside the port to hit the sand and surf. You can walk the avenue that runs along the coast until you find a spot you like. As well, many beaches have a number of restaurants and beach bars where you can also have a bite to eat in the shade.

Amber Cove Passengers Will Need a Ride Anywhere

While passengers in Taino Bay can simply walk into town, if you’re docked at Amber Cove (for Carnival ships), then no such luck. Here the walk from the ship to out of the port’s gate is roughly half a mile. And after that there isn’t anything else within walking distance. That means if you’re wanting to go explore, you’ll need to pay a taxi fare or book an excursion.

You Can Easily Spend All Day in Port Areas (But You’ll Miss Out)

Not feeling adventurous? Or maybe you just want to have a low-key day. In that case, you absolutely can have a full day without leaving the port area. Both Taino Bay and Amber Cove offer areas for passengers tp enjoy without ever leaving the port. This includes pools, shopping, and restaurants. To be sure, this isn’t the real Puerto Plata or Dominican Republic, and we think you’ll miss out on a lot by not getting out and exploring. But if you want it easy, it doesn’t get any easier.

Be Ready for Rain

In total, Puerto Plata gets about 60 inches of rain a year. The good news is that during the busy summer months of June-September, it’s fairly dry with only 2-3 inches of rain on average per month. But November through May see anywhere from 5 inches up to 9 inches (November and December) on average each month. In other words, if visiting in the winter, pack a rain jacket just in case.

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Note your point that taxes from Amber cove are ridiculously high. But if docking at Taino Bay, a) taxi to downtown ex Pink Alley – ?. b) taxi cost from port to cable car c) cable car round trip cost. d) Time to allocate for cable car trip up, a walk around, cable car trip back ? Thank you in advance

Unsure of those prices. However, the cable car is relatively close to Taino Bay — about a 20 minute walk.

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Explore Best of Puerto Plata with Cable Car

• Ascend 2,555 feet above sea level to reach the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres, which stands as Puerto Plata's most impressive geographic feature
• Capture a glimpse of a typical countryside house and take photographs of the Christ the Redeemer statue during your tour
• During your tour, catch a glimpse of a typical countryside house and take the opportunity to photograph the Christ the Redeemer statue
• Explore the beauty of Victorian architecture at Parque Independencia and savor some free time in the Victorian square
• Explore the Cathedral of Puerto Plata, a significant pilgrimage site in the Dominican Republic also take a guided stroll along "Umbrella Street" and pause for photos at Paseo de Doña Blanca, famously recognized as Pink Street

On this Puerto Plata shore excursion, you will ascend to 2,555 feet above sea-level to the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres.

Mount Isabela is Puerto Plata's most impressive geographic feature towering above the city, which will delight you with panoramic views of Puerto Plata from its flat-topped peak. Once at the top, you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens, see a representation of a typical countryside house or "casa tipica," take photos of the Christ the Redeemer Statue (a smaller version of the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and enjoy the views of Puerto Plata and the Atlantic Ocean.

After your time at the summit, you will take the cable car ride down the mountain for amazing views and then meet your transportation for the drive through the city to Fort San Felipe, home to a historic Spanish fortress built in 1577 to protect the city of Puerto Plata from pirates and other enemies. Here at Puerto Plata's oldest surviving structure, you will enjoy a fully narrated tour around the grounds of the fort. It is located on a hill at the Puntilla Del Malecon, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; its strategic location protected the entrance to the city's seaport. The construction of the fort was commissioned by King Felipe II of Spain in 1564, and it was completed in 1577 by Don Rengifo de Angulo, the fort's mayor.

Stroll along "Umbrella Street" and stop for photos at Paseo de Dona Blanca known as, "Pink Street". Next, your journey takes you to Parque Independencia, where your guide will offer fascinating insights into the Victorian architecture and Puerto Plata's restoration era. You'll have the opportunity to explore the Cathedral and enjoy some free time in the Victorian square before returning to your cruise ship.

Please Note: The minimum age to participate is 10 years old. The order of tour may vary depending upon ship's arrival time. A van or bus descent from the Mt. Isabela summit may be substituted for the cable car in the event of cable car maintenance, high winds or poor weather conditions. Participants must be able to get in and out of the vehicle, stand, and walk completely unassisted. This tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible , and cannot accommodate guests with mobility issues, or those who have difficulty walking or standing.

• Celebrity Cruises

Shore excursions in Dominican republic

By Taclin01 , October 1, 2021 in Celebrity Cruises

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I have looked al over celebrity’s website and can’t find if we can only do a ship sponsored shore excursion. Does anyone know? It’s puerto plata port. Thanks! 

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Good question. The Healthy At Sea listing of ports for cruises out of the US doesn't include the Dominican Republic, an obvious oversight.

Perhaps no oversight.  

The list contains locations where a) some recommendation or restriction is currently in place, or b) where some recommendation or restriction was previously in place but has now been lifted or modified since the restart began.

Once a location makes the list due to some restriction, its current status remains on the list.  For example, although there are presently no restrictions in Cozumel, at one time, it was on the list as requiring ship tours.  So it stays on the list, modified to show on your own tours are now OK.

The DR isn't the only port of call that has never been on the list for either reason.

CruiseCrew123

Are ships even stopping there at the moment . They are on the Uk red list 

colliercruiser

FYI, I just received an email from Celebrity indicating our Nov 13 Summit cruise will not be stopping at Puerto Plata since that new cruise port is not yet completed.  We’re stopping in Cozumel instead.

22 minutes ago, colliercruiser said: FYI, I just received an email from Celebrity indicating our Nov 13 Summit cruise will not be stopping at Puerto Plata since that new cruise port is not yet completed.  We’re stopping in Cozumel instead.

Our November 6 Edge is substituting Nassau.

1 hour ago, CruiseCrew123 said: Are ships even stopping there at the moment . They are on the Uk red list 

Carnival has their own attraction there (called Amber Cove), and has at least one ship scheduled in port most days in October '21.  The cruise terminal in Puerto Plata (Taino Bay) will be completed in December, so no reason X ships can't dock there then, at least from a facilities perspective. 

No word yet that our cruise departing 12 November (Constellation) will bypass the D.R.   They could just be making port at Samana the way we used to do it.  Maybe just a capacity issue?

19 hours ago, colliercruiser said: FYI, I just received an email from Celebrity indicating our Nov 13 Summit cruise will not be stopping at Puerto Plata since that new cruise port is not yet completed.  We’re stopping in Cozumel instead.

We are on the Reflection Nov 13 cruise with Puerto Plata still showing as a stop.  No email yet, but won't be surprised if when I get one.  

Are you sure about that substitution? Cozumel isn't anywhere close to Puerto Plata, it is clear across the Gulf of Mexico. The web site still shows you going to the DR and not Mexico.

57 minutes ago, susiesan said: Are you sure about that substitution? Cozumel isn't anywhere close to Puerto Plata, it is clear across the Gulf of Mexico. The web site still shows you going to the DR and not Mexico.

I looked at the website also just to check and the cruise is still called Bahamas and DR but when you look at the itinerary it's Bahamas and Cozumel...

Mizzoupoodle123

We are on the Norweigan Escape and Christmas Day we are in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.  From what I have seen of the cruise terminal built it is going to have restaurants, shops PLUS a free water park and enormous pool.  So far, we plan on hanging out there and sort of doing our own thing.

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My issue is from a Covid perspective . Both Mexico and DR are on the Uk red list because of the high cases/low vaccine roll out , which would mean no one from the Uk would be able to sale without 10 days in a government quarantine hotel on return at cost of over £2400 😞

45 minutes ago, CruiseCrew123 said: My issue is from a Covid perspective . Both Mexico and DR are on the Uk red list because of the high cases/low vaccine roll out , which would mean no one from the Uk would be able to sale without 10 days in a government quarantine hotel on return at cost of over £2400 😞

In that case, I’d not leave the ship.  Norweigan told me when I called today that as of today passengers were free to explore any port on their own but it could change at any minute.  I’ve not heard of quarantining passengers here in the US after a cruise but it may have already happened.

3 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said: My issue is from a Covid perspective . Both Mexico and DR are on the Uk red list because of the high cases/low vaccine roll out , which would mean no one from the Uk would be able to sale without 10 days in a government quarantine hotel on return at cost of over £2400 😞

Too strange, @CruiseCrew123

Granted, we've got different thresholds for our color codes, but don't you see pretty much all of the Caribbean in red (our Level 4)?  Of interest, the D.R. is one of the FEW places in Light Orange (Level 2 ) anywhere near here on our maps.  All of North America and Europe, including the UK (sans Iceland/Greenland) are showing red (Level 4) here, but the D.R. is Light Orange ... supposedly safer than either of us!  Isn't data grand?  It's meaning always seems to be in the eye of the beholder - or the bureaucrats, in this case!

BTW, that Dark Orange (Level 3) in the lower left corner is the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.  Quintana Roo (where Cozumel is) is also at a Level 3.

9 hours ago, Mizzoupoodle123 said: In that case, I’d not leave the ship.  Norweigan told me when I called today that as of today passengers were free to explore any port on their own but it could change at any minute.  I’ve not heard of quarantining passengers here in the US after a cruise but it may have already happened.

Unfortunately the UK Government class docking as visiting . They are red because of their lack of geosequencing rather than cases 

6 hours ago, canderson said: Too strange, @CruiseCrew123   Granted, we've got different thresholds for our color codes, but don't you see pretty much all of the Caribbean in red (our Level 4)?  Of interest, the D.R. is one of the FEW places in Light Orange (Level 2 ) anywhere near here on our maps.  All of North America and Europe, including the UK (sans Iceland/Greenland) are showing red (Level 4) here, but the D.R. is Light Orange ... supposedly safer than either of us!  Isn't data grand?  It's meaning always seems to be in the eye of the beholder - or the bureaucrats, in this case!   BTW, that Dark Orange (Level 3) in the lower left corner is the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.  Quintana Roo (where Cozumel is) is also at a Level 3.    

The only uk ‘red’ countries are DR and Mexico . Will keep fingers crossed as booked this cruise nearly 2 years ago 

5 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said: Unfortunately the UK Government class docking as visiting . They are red because of their lack of geosequencing rather than cases 

You may need to switch to a different ship and itinerary then if you have to quarantine when you get back to the UK.

6 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said: Unfortunately the UK Government class docking as visiting . They are red because of their lack of geosequencing rather than cases 

Just curious ... what the heck does "geosequencing" mean in this context???

5 hours ago, canderson said: Just curious ... what the heck does "geosequencing" mean in this context???

It’s the testing for new variants - apparently 

Genome sequencing, perhaps?  Geosequencing sounds more like what I do before a geocaching run!

Of interest - the D.R. port call on 11/19 was just dropped from our 11/12 Constellation itinerary - replaced with At Sea day for now.  Not sure why yet.  No explanation.

Will be interesting to see if Reflection's 11/13 scheduled stop there continues to hold.

10 minutes ago, canderson said: Of interest - the D.R. port call on 11/19 was just dropped from our 11/12 Constellation itinerary - replaced with At Sea day for now.  Not sure why yet.  No explanation.   Will be interesting to see if Reflection's 11/13 scheduled stop there continues to hold.  

New cruise port in DR won’t be finished til the end of the year. Our stop (Millenium 11/15) was replaced with Nassau. Got the email this morning. 

2 minutes ago, XLVIII said: New cruise port in DR won’t be finished til the end of the year. Our stop (Millenium 11/15) was replaced with Nassau. Got the email this morning. 

I thought Samana was still available until they get the new port up and running at the end of the year?

If Celebrity knew they wouldn't be stopping until the new port was opened, they could have modified itineraries long ago.  Everyone knew the new port wouldn't be open by 11/19.  Typical late notification, I guess.  Too bad.  One of the excursions that interested us most on this cruise was in the D.R.

1 hour ago, canderson said: Of interest - the D.R. port call on 11/19 was just dropped from our 11/12 Constellation itinerary - replaced with At Sea day for now.  Not sure why yet.  No explanation.   Will be interesting to see if Reflection's 11/13 scheduled stop there continues to hold.  

I’m on the Reflection 11/13 and have a X shore excursion booked. So far it hasn’t been canceled and no notification of itinerary change. Won’t surprise me if it is though. 

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Is your cruise or flight changing? How Hurricane Beryl is disrupting Caribbean travel

Several major cruise companies were forced to change current itineraries due to Hurricane Beryl.

Here is a rundown:

Royal Caribbean

Miami-based Royal Caribbean Group made the following changes to its itineraries:

▪ Celebrity Beyond’s June 29 sailing will swap Kralendijk, Bonaire with Oranjestad, Aruba, on July 2 and move Kralendijk, Bonaire to July 4.

▪ Icon of the Seas’ June 29 sailing will now visit Cozumel, Mexico, and Costa Maya, Mexico, instead of Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

▪ Grandeur of the Seas’ July 1 sailing will now visit Yucatan (Progresso), Mexico on Day 4 and Cozumel, Mexico, on Day 3.

▪ Wonder of the Seas’ June 30 sailing will now have a Sea Day on Day 5 instead of visiting Roatan, Honduras, and will enjoy a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on Day 6, instead of visiting Costa Maya, Mexico.

▪ Harmony of the Seas’ June 30 sailing will now visit Cozumel, Mexico on Day 3 and Costa Maya, Mexico on Day 4, instead of Roatan, Honduras.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement that “we are closely monitoring the progression of Hurricane Beryl and are making adjustments to some of our Caribbean sailings for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew.” It said it would notify guests and travel advisors directly of any further changes.

MORE: Jamaica braces for Hurricane Beryl, slightly weaker but still a dangerous Cat 4

Norwegian Cruise Line said it changed the itineraries for two ships, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Breakaway, and sent a letter to guests.

▪ To its Norwegian Jade guests, Norwegian wrote in a Jun. 30, 2024 letter that it canceled calls to Falmouth, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. It replaced them with San Juan, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The ship is scheduled to return to Cape Canaveral on July 6.

▪ For passengers on the Breakaway , the carrier said in a June 30 letter that it had chosen to take an alternative, safer route to circumvent the path of Beryl. “Despite our best efforts, and with the weather disturbances out of control, we have canceled our calls to Roatan Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.” The ship was scheduled to reach Roatan Bay Islands at 10 a.m. July 2 but was redirected to Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic. Other changes were going to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The ship is scheduled to return to PortMiami on July 7.

Norwegian also said that shore excursions booked through NCL for those destinations were automatically canceled and guests can expect that a “full monetary refund of the fare paid will be issued to your onboard account.’

As of 3 p.m. July 2, Carnival had changed the following itineraries:

▪ Carnival Horizon will add a visit to Nassau, The Bahamas on Friday, July 5 instead of visiting Cozumel, Mexico on Thursday, July 4. The ship’s visit to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands on Wednesday, July 3 is canceled.

▪ Carnival Liberty is visiting Cozumel on Tuesday, July 2 instead of Friday, July 5.

MSC Cruises said it has not yet made any itinerary changes.

“At this time, we don’t foresee any itinerary changes for our U.S. vessels due to Hurricane Beryl if the storm maintains its projected path,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Miami International Airport

At Miami International Airport as of 5:30 .p.m Tuesday, Hurricane Beryl led to seven canceled flights: two arrivals from San Juan and Barbados and five departures to Santo Domingo, Barbados and San Juan, according to Greg Chin, communications director at the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

Still its overall percentage of on-time arrivals on July 2 was 86% and on-time departures was 78%, both well above its average.

It’s an improvement from Monday when seven arrivals and six departures were canceled. Affected islands were St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Barbados.

American Airlines issued a travel alert on Tuesday saying it would waive change fees for customers traveling through Cancun, Cozumel, Merida, and Tulum, Mexico. That’s if they are able to travel by July 10 and can make changes by July 5.

American Airlines operations in St. Vincent remain suspended due to airport closures. But the carrier has restarted operations in Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada, according to a statement sent by airline spokesperson Gianna Urgo.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

At FLL, the hurricane’s impact was less clear. JetBlue had one flight from Santo Domingo and one from Montego Bay, and both arrived at FLL during the day. There were arrivals still scheduled from Kingston at 9:17 p.m. and Montego Bay at 9:27 p.m. Airport officials advised travelers to call their airlines for the latest information.

Meanwhile, one departure left to Montego Bay. But another one scheduled at 9:30pm was canceled.

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