Amber Cove: An Inside Look at the Caribbean's Newest Cruise Port

Amber Cover will welcome its first ship on October 6 in the form of the Carnival Victory.

AMBER COVE, Dominican Republic – As part of our recent coverage of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), Travel Agent had the privilege of touring the grounds of what will soon be the Caribbean's newest cruise port.

Amber Cove, a new destination located in the heart of the Dominican Republic's North Coast, known as the Amber Coast, just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata, will welcome its first cruise ship when the Carnival Victory arrives on October 6. Ground broke about 15 months ago.

The visit by Carnival Victory is the first of 37 calls by eight different Carnival ships that will take place between October and April 2016, accounting for more than 100,000 guests during this period. In fact, Travel Agent was told the port will be attracting roughly 8,000 cruise passengers a day. 

Amber Cove will be a featured port on select sailings of Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Victory from MiamiCarnival Conquest from Fort LauderdaleCarnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor from Port Canaveral, FL, and Carnival Fantasy from Charleston, SC. 

Designed to serve as the gateway to one of the world's most beautiful cruising regions, Amber Cove features dramatic architectural elements that echo the area's storied Colonial past. 

The port's cobblestone plazas will be lined with a wide variety of retail offerings, including themed restaurants and bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs, recreational amenities, and a transportation center for access to land and sea adventures. Travel Agent was told the total investment is around $90 million, $38 million of which was used for the pier and the other maritime portions of the project.

The facility will offer two berths that can accommodate up to two large post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously. 

Amber Cove will offer a wide array of landside experiences, including beaches, water sports and special culinary, cultural and adventure options. Nearby Ocean World, which is one of the region's largest marine adventure parks, will offer guests many great ways to experience and interact with a variety of marine animals.

Dozens of shore excursions will be available, from cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies that traverse the rugged countryside and horseback riding on the beach to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters and swimming in a pristine natural river pool.

Clients can also travel via speedboat to Paradise Island, one of the Caribbean's top spots for snorkeling and scuba diving, or visit rural coffee plantations and sample traditional Dominican cuisine, rum and seasonal fruit. Or for the ultimate luxury experience, guests can reserve their own private beachside bungalow with the services of a personal chef, bartender and staff.

Visit www.carnival.com and keep following www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates on this story. Follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.