New Cruise Ship Port in Puerto Plata

[Conchman]

Yeah they moved the vendors off the beach and they built permanent store shops which are futher advanced then the photos above, about a two weeks ago I went there and they were starting to prepare the ground with earth movers flattening the ground near the old yacht club, also they are moving the boats from the club. Before that they had the test booring barge in the bay which they need soil samples from, to see if its rock or sand on the bottom in order to get an accurate quote for dredging. They claim they are on schedule but I would not be surprised if they are a couple months behind. However, Carnival has been known to built ports like this pretty quick, but then again the DR has toppled many corporate plans, so who knows, we will believe it when we see it!

 

[PICHARDO]

Yeah they moved the vendors off the beach and they built permanent store shops which are futher advanced then the photos above, about a two weeks ago I went there and they were starting to prepare the ground with earth movers flattening the ground near the old yacht club, also they are moving the boats from the club. Before that they had the test booring barge in the bay which they need soil samples from, to see if its rock or sand on the bottom in order to get an accurate quote for dredging. They claim they are on schedule but I would not be surprised if they are a couple months behind. However, Carnival has been known to built ports like this pretty quick, but then again the DR has toppled many corporate plans, so who knows, we will believe it when we see it!

They only got provided the environmental permits a short time ago, the work you notice is centered on relocating stuff away from the beach and as you said, the club. The actual work for the complex and port facilities is on schedule as it was clearly stated to be October, since plans get approved and the go ahead after the environmental permits are issued for projects like these.

Anyhow, this is gonna be a fast one given their track record...

The only thing that worries me a little is that the gov gave assurances to have the Santiago - Puerto Plata new road ready by then. Since Danilo said all has to wait until the new FY budget, I don't see how the private Toll company will do it all by themselves so quick and on the dime.

The road is a key component of the bus touring elements for the cruise company. They want to offer a variety of excursions and stuff to passengers. Like Jarabacoa, Santiago's Ron and Cigar factories, SD colonial zone and stuff, etc...

The key once again for all that, is the road...

Just like the new Coral to Punta Cana, the Santiago -Puerto Plata road will be the key to this grand plan success.

Did you know they expanded the project before it even began? It went up in size by 100% of area.

The land that was closest to it, they bought it all out, acres and acres by the lot...

 

[Conchman]

I didnt think that the road to Santiago would be that important to them, I dont think they will sell that many long excursions considering the ships are only in port for 8 hours. That road will be difficult to expand to 4 lanes, 3 lanes with 2 uphill in certain spots would make more sense, and be more economical with less time and money to finish. We will see. What are they planning on doing with the extra area they purchased?

 

[windeguy]

I didnt think that the road to Santiago would be that important to them, I dont think they will sell that many long excursions considering the ships are only in port for 8 hours. That road will be difficult to expand to 4 lanes, 3 lanes with 2 uphill in certain spots would make more sense, and be more economical with less time and money to finish. We will see. What are they planning on doing with the extra area they purchased?

Oh Hush UP! ( :laugh. Please let them think that road work is important so that they work on it sooner rather than later. You know they will just let the craters in the current road just enlarge if they have any plans to build a new road. :devious: Although I too see no reason why it would be important for people only spending 8 hours in port.

 

[PICHARDO]

I didnt think that the road to Santiago would be that important to them, I dont think they will sell that many long excursions considering the ships are only in port for 8 hours. That road will be difficult to expand to 4 lanes, 3 lanes with 2 uphill in certain spots would make more sense, and be more economical with less time and money to finish. We will see. What are they planning on doing with the extra area they purchased?

Ships coming to the Miamon port will not berth only for 8 hours, but extended schedules!

The Santiago - Puerto Plata road will be a four lane (two each way) type just like the others, with tolls placed on it.

The road will also be designed to be expanded to 6 lanes on a later stage!

The extra land is for a mega complex of their own on land... Big is putting it mild...

 

[HarpB]

Interesting comments on the ships and how they will operate. I have worked several years on cruise ships and the decisions where to go and how long to stay in the Caribbean are normally not based on distance of excursions from the ship but rather I time & distance to the next port and relative to the price of the ticket and the number of ports on an itnerary. They are also based on opening the Casino and Shops earlier (especially Carnival) and getting the booze flowing on the ship. Excursions account for about 5% of onobard revenue.

The relative postion of the port in North of the Dominican is more important with lower cost fuel use from a ship headed to the Caribbean. They could then stop in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel at a relatively low rate of speed each night 16 knots or so. Or they could use Puerta pLata as the first port then do a Casa de Campo, San Juan again with very limited fuel use and yes possibly a slightly longer port visit.

There are plenty of tours available in and around PP to meet the needs of a 3,500 guest ship. The interesting part will be where the 1100 crew go and add to the local economy, internet cafes, bars, groceries, phone chips, cards etc.

Anyway my two cents. It will be good for the area.

 

[Luperon]

Come back to this thread in four years and see how nothing was built. But there will be another set of pics with President Fernandez and vice president Felix at the ribbon cutting to commence the ground breaking.

One year later, three to go.

 

[PICHARDO]

One year later, three to go.

So...Are you implying nothing was done or is being done there?????

 

[Luperon]

So...Are you implying nothing was done or is being done there?????

One year later and its now one year off the original schedule. No? That is a huge delay. But I am still betting it gets finished before the Santiago bypass road.

 

[PICHARDO]

There is another thread that I had confused with this ione that asks if anything has been started as yet. DO you know and if so what? THanks.
Der Fish

????????

 

[Kyle]

how about english speaking tour guides ? that's where the money will be for the locals.

 

[champ]

Is there any news on the port going ahead,,any actual pics from the location

 

[Luperon]

All of the construction crews were diverted to the santiago bypass project.
or
It is being delayed so Fernandez can take credit for it and have more photo ops at his next election.
or
Pichardo will deny its wayyyy off schedule.

 

[Jumbo]

Still waiting for the cruise line to pay in full before construction starts!!!!!!!!!!!