New cruise terminal in Puerto Plata will be operational in 2020

[habi]

Everybody likes to mention lack of infrastructure, and justifiably so, but what about the new road work around Amber Cove? And new road work going to Luperon?

Amber Cove is at least partially responsible for those new roads. And everybody benefits.

No down side to a new cruise port.

As I remember the deal was that the road from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata has to be finished when the port/Carnival starts to operate... so i think the right wording would be the ongoing road work!:squareeye:squareeye:squareeye

And that in mind, maybe the 2020 opening of the Taino Bay may be just a little ambitious...:laugh:

@windeguy, no relation to the construction company!

 

[tee]

The Puerto Plata area has never looked so good and the main reason for this is Amber Cove. Having an additional cruise ship port will help to continue the face lift that Puerto Plata has received. Just this weekend we were in Puerto Plata looking at the Christmas display in the central park, then the Pink Street and then the Umbrella Street. There 18 of us and all of us had a fantastic time. I might add that not one person was harassed but a vendor and nobody felt threatened. We felt very safe and it was an absolute pleasure. Not long ago you would not have felt the same way wandering around Puerto Plata at night. Cruise ships do have an economic effect on the local area. We all know that the 'taxes' are not allocated 100% correctly but this is the same in most countries. I can attest to the impact the cruise line industry can make as I worked on cruise ships for 5 years back in the 90's and have seen new ports thrive such as Playa del Carmen near Cancun, Mexico. When we first started going there Playa del Carmen was nothing more that a small market/fishing town. Nothing but dirt roads and the only activity was a few local restaurants in the square by the water front. Cruise ship passengers were brought over by boats from the island of Cozumel so that they could go on tours to places like Tulum and Chichin Itza. As the amount of passengers grew, so did Playa del Carmen. At that time there was no paved highway to Cancun, just a dirt road...but that soon changed. Over the period of a few years the town exploded, foreign investors came in, started building infrastructure, then came the all inclusive hotels and 10 years later Playa del Carmen soon became one of the most important tourist destinations on the east coast of Mexico. And you think that the taxes were allocated properly in Mexico? For sure not but Playa del Carmen continued to thrive. The same can happen here in Puerto Plata and adding the new cruise ship terminal will get us closer to achieving this. If they continue with the Puerto Plata face lift then we will have an absolutely beautiful city.

 

[ctrob]

Well said tee. I can't remember the last time I was in Puerto Plata at night, but I have felt that the city and surrounding area was changing for the better. There is loads of stuff going on. And improvements being made.

They want the North Coast to thrive. And I think they're on the right track.

 

[windeguy]

Friends of mine visited the DR on a cruise ship a few years ago and as a result vowed that it was one place in the world they would never visit again. Apparently they were hassled to death as soon as they arrived. When they heard I was coming to live here they were horrified. Unfortunately it seems that the very short cruise line visits are not always as well managed as they should be and give a bad impression.

Two friends of mine visited the DR a few years back and we went to meet them. They had nothing objectionable to say about the DR. They might even come and visit now that they are both retired.

 

[windeguy]

etolw, It was posted on another thread about cruise ships that each passenger pays a $10 entry fee and a $30 departure fee to the DR government. If the much lower fees you posted replace that total of $40, then I was incorrect for reposting that information. If that $40 still applies, it is what I was referring to as a main motivator for the government to build such cruise ship ports. Perhaps what you posted is all that there is to be made per passenger by the government.

 

[etolw]

FEE PER PASSENGER IS ONLY DOLLAR AND A HALF

etolw, It was posted on another thread about cruise ships that each passenger pays a $10 entry fee and a $30 departure fee to the DR government. If the much lower fees you posted replace that total of $40, then I was incorrect for reposting that information. If that $40 still applies, it is what I was referring to as a main motivator for the government to build such cruise ship ports. Perhaps what you posted is all that there is to be made per passenger by the government.

FEE PER PASSENGER IS ONLY DOLLAR AND A HALF

Due to its low tax rate, the Dominican Republic constitutes a very competitive market for large international shipping companies. Another source for this information in the link above.

I live on the North Coast, own property there and have seen the decline in tourists since I arrived first time in 1998.

I really hope for and would appreciate the rise of the NC as a tourist destination. Hate to see all the failed and closed hotels/bars/restaurants that has plagued the NC the latest decade.

Hope the government money spent on cruise tourism are well spent money.

 

[windeguy]

At only $1.50 per cruiser, the money is still significant because of the total number of cruisers, but not monumental.

I do not see a return to the previous levels of tourism on the north coast. I do see a few more expats living here over time.

 

[DR Solar]

At only $1.50 per cruiser, the money is still significant because of the total number of cruisers, but not monumental.

I do not see a return to the previous levels of tourism on the north coast. I do see a few more expats living here over time.

I don't see the tourist either. In fact, I think I'm seeing a new low.

However, we have had a few inquiries about people wanting to visit and have one coming next week. Our neighbor is also getting some new interest from couples and families. We and others stopped renting some time ago due to the not so desirable single guy(S) renters that only wanted to party hard.... very hard and did more damage then was worth.

None of us know why this little up-tick in interest.

Neighbor and us are doing some painting, repairs and some new furniture. Trying to be positive with all the improvements/changes in the Sosua area. Maybe it's working?

 

[windeguy]

There is still a trickle of tourist interest. I would no read anything into it as an uptick.

 

[ctrob]

There is still a trickle of tourist interest. I would no read anything into it as an uptick.

Same here, seeing slightly increased interest with vacation rentals.

I am thinking it was slow due to the bad press this last summer, and High Season finally seeing some normal traffic. So in other words, normal for right now. It just appears to be an uptick.

That's my take anywho.

 

[bubba]

I 1st came to the north coast as a cruise passenger

etolw is correct regarding any direct effects on local economies, as has been all too apparent to the vendors in Puerto Plata not on the cruise lines "approved" lists. The government does collect rather hefty total amounts in taxes per head when you add up the large total number of cruise passengers per year, so they enjoy nicer Jeepetas than before.

Perhaps a percentage of cruisers will return as airline passengers for a visit. Some might become snowbirds and expat residents. At least there is some potential positive upside after a time for the local area.

When I 1st came in 1990 as a passenger from a small cruise line we landed on the commercial dock, I went to Sosua beach and liked what I seen and have been coming by air since then.

 

[windeguy]

Road work still not done between Amber Cove and Puerto Plata

Just took the main highway from Cabarete through Puerto Plata and into Santiago. Only two sections with bad pavement remain. They still need lines painted and reflectors along the entire length.

At least much of the road has been paved at least with a first layer of asphalt. Level, it is not, which is a reflection on the quality of the work that is lacking. Still, way better than before.

There is still one section along the way that was always bad, could be finished in a couple of days, but they are working on at a snails pace.

Ironically, the worst section is between Amber Cove and Puerto Plata.

 

[Conchman]

Just took the main highway from Cabarete through Puerto Plata and into Santiago. Only two sections with bad pavement remain. They still need lines painted and reflectors along the entire length.

At least much of the road has been paved at least with a first layer of asphalt. Level, it is not, which is a reflection on the quality of the work that is lacking. Still, way better than before.

There is still one section along the way that was always bad, could be finished in a couple of days, but they are working on at a snails pace.

Ironically, the worst section is between Amber Cove and Puerto Plata.

Yes they are working on the overpass at Cofresi entrance (Lifestyle/Ocean World). They are actually moving quite quick now, the overpass is almost finished, but they change the temporary entrances almost on a daily basis, adding to a lot of confusion. I suppose its not easy to build an overpass in the middle of traffic......

 

[DR Solar]

We take this road once a year, sometimes twice and for almost 20 years past has been the dreaded drive. The difference from Nov. 2018 (when we felt that the work would NEVER be completed) and Nov.2019 was an unexpected almost pleasant trip and we see that it's almost done.

Now... if only they could clean up the road going thru POP.... get the parked and stopping cars and trucks off the right lane and let the traffic flow.