Cunard ship called at Carnival Corporation's newest Caribbean cruise port destination
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 made her inaugural visit to Amber Cove in the Dominica Republic on 22 November.
Arriving after a call in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Queen Mary 2 was welcomed by local officials including Julio Almonte, Vice Minister of Tourism; Coronel Jose Isaia Santana Morillio, director of National Police; and General Richard Vasquez, commander of the Air Force. Port officials and dignitaries marked the call by exchanging decorative plaques with the ship’s captain, Kevin Oprey, during an onboard ceremony.
“It is an honour to bring Cunard guests to Amber Cove, and to join Carnival Corporation's major cruise brands in making regular visits to the Puerto Plata,” said Captain Kevin Oprey, master of Queen Mary 2. “We thank the kind people of Dominican Republic for such a warm and hospitable welcome, and we look forward to further time Queen Mary 2 will be spending here in January as part of her World Voyage.”
Amber Cove, the Caribbean’s first new cruise destination in nearly ten years, was officially inaugurated by owner Carnival Corporation & plc on 2 November. Developed as part of a joint project between Carnival Corporation and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, the US$85 million facility is the largest cruise industry investment in the Dominican Republic to date.
Amber Cove has two berths that can accommodate up to two large post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously and a 25-acre landside development with recreational amenities and a transportation centre. The destination reflects the region’s colonial past and features cobblestone plazas with themed restaurants, bars, a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs, a zip line and complimentary pool area with a swim-up bar, children’s splash pad and water slides. In addition, guests can reserve a private beachside bungalow with a personal chef, bartender and staff.
“On behalf of the president of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and the city of Puerto Plata, we wish to thank Cunard for the arrival of Queen Mary 2,” said Julio Almonte, Vice Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic. “We are very happy and honoured to have this important ship visiting our destination.”