Dominican Republic Opens Newly Renovated Cruise Port Facilities In La Romana

Last Updated 12 months ago

The Dominican Republic has skyrocketed in popularity over the past 2 years, and with it, the country is investing in tourism facilities to ensure it can handle the increase in visitor demand. The most recent investments to open are majorly enlarged and renovated cruise port facilities in the popular cruising destination of La Romana on the southern coast of the country.

According to Luis Emilio Rodríguez, the acting Director of the La Romana Cruise Port, this expansion will give the city the needed capacity to welcome an increased number of visitors on larger cruise ships.

During the port’s opening ceremony, he applauded the first large ship to dock at the new station, exclaiming, “Today we feel proud, happy, and honored to inaugurate these facilities, welcoming together with all of you, Odyssey of the Seas, one of the largest and most modern ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, a company that we recognize for having chosen our port of La Romana as one of their ports of call during their voyages in the Caribbean routes.”

This increased capacity will also have positive implications on the economy in the city of La Romana by creating over 100 brand-new jobs. When discussing the cruise port’s impact on the economy, President Luis Abinader notes that the port is helping them to work towards the goal of stability.

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“The Dominican Republic is advancing along the path of social development and growth, and this can only be achieved with the revitalization of the economy, state support for sectors as important as the port and tourism, as well as investment protection and commitment inalienable with the socioeconomic development of the Dominican people.”

The most important improvements to the La Romana Cruise Port are technical in nature to allow for larger cruise ships to dock. The investment added fenders and moorings to the docking station to increase the capacity of dock compression. Additionally, beams and additional piles were added to improve the rigidity of the dock and ensure that it can handle a larger ship’s lateral thrust when entering and leaving the port.

Aside from technical improvements to the dock, the newly renovated La Romana cruise port aims to leave an impact on every tourist that visits there. The enormous renovations in the port doubles leisure areas for tourists and significantly increases options for activities such as shopping.

Along with relaxation and shopping, the new La Romana cruise port offers a swimming pool and a variety of options for dining around the world and inventive cocktails made with local craft spirits. Finally, the port aims to be a place that showcases the authenticity of the community of La Romana. The port will have dedicated areas where local artists and vendors can sell homemade and local goods for tourists that want to experience the real culture of the city.

The city hopes that these significant improvements will make La Romana a must-stop destination for all cruise ships passing through the Caribbean. “With an investment that exceeds 15 million dollars, we managed to provide the maritime port with the necessary conditions to dock Oasis Class cruise ships. With this investment, we are sure that the port of La Romana is much more attractive for cruise lines to choose us as the mandatory visit on their southern Caribbean routes.”

Want to learn more about further growth happening in La Romana? Check out our story on Hilton’s brand new Hilton Garden Inn opening in 2023 and read about The Casa De Campo Resort, which is undergoing a massive renovation that will add 64 rooms along with a massive spa complex to the property.