MSC Cruise Lines contracted to Samana

The article is in Spanish, so here is a translation into English:

Holy Caribepreferente com Sunday. -The company Bay Cruise Services wants to convert the region of Saman?, (Dominican Republic), in a destiny in which they can dock to ten cruisers of a compatible way, with some 2.000 visitors each one, that is to say until would be able to have to 20.000 tourists in a same day.
To be able to carry out this project, the business already has signed an agreement with the line of Italian cruisers MSC Cruises, with which they have studied to cause to arrive in the season of December from the 2006 to May of the 2007 some 50 cruisers, what would symbolize some 100.000 passengers.
For the season 2007-2008, Bay Cruise Services already has planned the arrival of 80 ships to the bay of Saman?, what would signify a growth of 160.000 passengers for season.
Besides it believes that each passenger spend in the stores, restaurants and caf?s among others of Saman? some 100 dollars, what would represent a consumption of 16 million dollars each year in the region. [To return]


-------------------

As such, there will be one Royal Caribbean cruise ship calling on Samana as a port of call, and MSC cruises. It is not clear to me as to how many cruise ships will actually be in the bay of Samana any given day. One? Is there only one ship owned by MSC which will be stopping in Samana?

Usually cruise ships organize shore excursions. I would anticipate trips for such things as whale watching in the winter, and trips to the waterfalls. Does anyone have any specifics regarding any deals being cut with locals who would be contracting with the cruiselines for such shore excursions? Anything outside of Samana, but still on the Samana peninsula? Any excursions to the beaches near Las Terrenas?

If you read the brochure, this cruise line has designated the Cayo Levantado as the private paradise beach stop. This is typical of Caribbean cruises to have a stop at a private beach for a day of beach activities. On shore they will have facilities to provide all the food and drink and water sports. The majority of the passengers will tender to shore for a few hours on the beach and then return to the ship. There will be some that may go on excursions, but the majority are happy to simply enjoy the beach and buffet. Don't count on this being an increase to tourism in the area. MSC Cruisesusa : MSC Cruises - Vacation Packages, Travel Destinations, Caribbean Cruises