By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Home to Morne Trois Pitons National Park, tropical rainforests, natural hot springs, black sand beaches and vibrant communities of friendly locals, the mountainous island nation of Dominica is a popular port of call on many Caribbean itineraries.
The island has three cruise ports, including one in the capital Roseau; Woodbridge Bay Deep Water Harbour, which is a 10-minute walk from the capital; and Cabrits in Portsmouth, an hour’s drive north of Roseau.
In 2015-2016, cruise ships visited 163 times, bringing a total of 273,447 passengers to Dominica’s shores. This season, the island is likely to welcome more than 288,000 cruise guests and 169 calls, a 5.5% and 3.7% increase, respectively. This will include nine inaugural calls from TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Odyssey, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam and Oosterdam, Star Clipper Cruises’ Star Flyer, and Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica.
“Our cruise season usually ends in April, but this year we’re also expecting seven calls from Carnival Cruise Line between May and August, which will bring more than 10,000 extra passengers to Dominica,” says Benoit Bardouille, chairman of Discover Dominica Authority and CEO of Dominica Air & Seaport Authority.
Dominica’s 2017-2018 cruise season is also set to be busy. “To date, we are scheduled to handle 260 calls, including 10 maiden visits,” comments Bardouille. “However, we’re optimistic that the many meetings we held with cruise lines at networking events in 2016, and those we’ll organise in 2017, will yield additional bookings.”
To ensure the island continues to attract high volumes of cruise traffic, the Discover Dominica Authority plans to continue diversifying its onshore activities programmes and develop experiences suited to every individual.
“There’s already so much to see and do on ‘Nature Island’, but we’re constantly looking to make visits more enjoyable for cruise guests,” comments Bardouille. “Cruise tourists can head to the island’s cascading waterfalls, walk through tropical rainforests, bask on the beaches, sample the authentic cuisine on a culinary tour, go diving or snorkelling on the reefs, try river tubing and kayaking on one of 365 rivers, or take a whale watching trip (87% sighting rate).”
All of the available shore excursions allow cruise guests to enjoy an authentic Dominican experience, says Bardouille.
“Our tour guides and taxi drivers are all trained and certified, and we constantly monitor and review our cruise offerings to ensure visitors will be safe and happy during their time on the island,” he enthuses. “Whether they’re a first-time or regular visitor, Dominica offers an awe-inspiring experience that is like no other in the Caribbean, or elsewhere in the world.”