Dominican Republic Cruises

Introduction to Dominican Republic Cruises

The Dominican Republic is a popular cruise destination, especially in the winter season which is most people's preferred time to visit the Caribbean. Ports in the Dominican Republic that can be used as part of a cruise company’s itinerary include Cayo Levantado, Samana, Isla Catalina and Roseau.

Cruises stopping in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a popular holiday location and there are a number of cruise companies who include the country on their itineraries. Cruise companies include:

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Offers the option of a 10 night cruise starting in Fort Lauderdale and passing through Grand Turk, Cayo Levantado, Tortola, Gustavia, Virgin Gorda, San Juan and Princess Cays, before coming back to Fort Lauderdale. Prices for this cruise start at $4,499.
• Seabourn Cruises – Offers an 11 day cruise starting in Fort Lauderdale and passing through Grand Turk, Samana, Marigot, St John, Prickly Pear Island and San Juan before returning to Fort Lauderdale. Prices for this cruise start from $3,999. This company also offers a 14 day cruise starting in Fort Lauderdale and passing through San Juan, Baseterre, Bequia, Mayreau, Bridgetown, Grand Anse, Gustavia, Cruz Bay and Isla Catalina before going back to Fort Lauderdale. Prices for this cruise start from $5,299.

Planning a Cruise to the Dominican Republic

Before planning anything you need to establish what you want from your cruise. Determine how much money you are willing to spend on your vacation and then decide the cruise class you prefer, based on that. Other factors included are the activities and the people the cruise is targeted to. There are cruises for families, for singles, for seniors and then there are themed cruises which focus their on-board and on-shore activities on certain subjects.

After deciding on the cruise, you need to establish your cabin preference. Obviously, inside cabins are less expensive than cabins with ocean-view, but there are also other factors that you can take into consideration. For example, if you're looking for a peaceful cruise, don't go for cabins anywhere near the pool, casinos, stairways or public rooms in general – you might also want to avoid the engine room as a nearby location. Also, if there's a chance that you or someone in your family may experience motion sickness, try to request a cabin on a lower deck, near the middle of the ship.

Since the Dominican Republic and the surrounding areas are warm locations, pack accordingly. To make sure than sunstroke will not be an issue, it's recommended that you bring with you hats and sunglasses. Some cruises may not allow beach clothes, so check out the cruise dress code before deciding on clothes – the elegant casual style is usually preferred, but some cruises also organize formal dinners.

Since you're only probably going to have a day to spend in the Dominican Republic, try to plan your sightseeing tour in advance, based on you or your family's preference. If you stop in Santo Domingo and prefer to spend your day on the beach, Boca Chico is the place for you. For architecture and history lovers, Alcazar de Colon and Castle Don Diego are ideal sightseeing locations. The Arawak Gallery is available for art lovers and plenty of shops can be found in all cruising ports.