Carnival Corporation inaugurates Caribbean’s first new cruise destination in nearly ten years
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Amber Cove, the Caribbean’s first new cruise destination in nearly ten years, opened with a call from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Victory on 6 October.
Developed as part of a joint project between Carnival Corporation & plc and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, the US$85 million Amber Cove facility is the largest cruise industry investment in the Dominican Republic to date. The facility will provide around 400 direct and indirect employment opportunities
Amber Cove has two berths that can accommodate up to two large post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously, recreational amenities and a transportation centre. The destination reflects the region’s colonial past and features cobblestone plazas with themed restaurants, bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs.
Guests can choose from at least 30 different shore excursions including cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies, water sports, horseback riding on the beach, snorkelling and swimming in a natural river pool. They can also travel via speedboat to Paradise Island, one of the Caribbean’s top snorkelling and scuba diving spots, or visit rural coffee plantations to sample traditional Dominican cuisine, rum and seasonal fruit. In addition, guests can reserve a private beachside bungalow with a personal chef, bartender and staff, or visit Ocean World, one of the region’s largest marine adventure parks. The nearby historic town of Puerto Plata, named by Christopher Columbus when he discovered the island in 1492, will also be within easy reach.
Carnival Victory’s visit signalled the return of regular cruise calls to the Dominican Republic’s north coast in nearly 30 years. The port is already scheduled to welcome calls from 23 ships across eight of Carnival Corporation’s ten cruise brands and around 350,000 guests in the first year of operation.
Some of the ships scheduled to visit over the next six months include Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, P&O Cruises’ Azura, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAvita, Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa, Holland America Line’s Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Fantasy, Splendor, Valor, Sunshine, Conquest and Breeze.