Port Samaná prepares for first cruise arrival on November 24

The Port Samaná cruise terminal in the Dominican Republic is scheduled to begin operations on November 24. The project, a public-private partnership between the Dominican state and Grupo ITM, aims to boost tourism and economic development in the region.

Alejandro Campos, Executive Director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), reported that visitor projections for the terminal have increased. Expectations for 2028 have risen by 35% due to high interest from cruise lines. The terminal aims to host approximately 230,000 visitors in 2027, 540,000 in 2028, and reach one million annual visitors by 2030.

In the final week of October, the Dominican Republic received 56,330 passengers across 15 cruises at various terminals, including Cabo Rojo, Taíno Bay, Amber Cove, and La Romana. Apordom officials stated that these operational volumes support the national goal of exceeding three million cruise passengers by 2026.