The Dominican Republic and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) formalized a Presidential Strategic Partnership Agreement, reinforcing the country’s growing leadership in Caribbean cruise tourism. The agreement was signed in Santo Domingo with the participation of President Luis Abinader, the president of FCCA Adam Ceserano and Tourism Minister David Collado. Adam Ceserano oversees all aspects of FCCA operations, membership benefits, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and event production.
Running through December 2026, the agreement aims to increase cruise passenger arrivals and investment while creating a national strategy to employ Dominican talent in the cruise industry. It also is intended to facilitate private meetings with cruise executives to develop local services, products and sourcing opportunities.
Adam Ceserano, president of FCCA, in the presence of President Luis Abinader said the signing of country’s designation as a FCCA regional strategic presidential partner enhances the country’s role in the cruise industry. “This partnership reflects the Dominican Republic’s strong momentum in cruise tourism,” said Ceserano, praising the country’s commitment to long-term growth and global competitiveness.
“This partnership goes far beyond cruise calls,” said Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA. “It’s about creating long-term opportunities for the people of the Dominican Republic. Together, we’re identifying actionable ways to improve the guest experience, increase economic benefits, and support infrastructure development that will position the country as a regional leader.”
The collaboration includes plans for improving the quality and consistency of shore excursions, integrating more locally made products and cultural experiences into the cruise offering, enhancing workforce training, and addressing key port and operational improvements.
In turn, Dominican Tourism Minister David Collado told journalists: “Cruise ship tourism is in its best moment and the sector will get even better in years to come.”
Cruise ship tourism is key for Dominican Republic visitor numbers. Tourism Minister David Collado has forecast 2025 will end with a new record of 12 million visitors, up from 11 million in 2024.
The Dominican Republic has seen record-breaking growth in cruise tourism, with passenger arrivals skyrocketing from 1.5 million in 2023 to over 2.6 million in 2024.
The Abinader administration has backed the opening of privately managed cruise ship ports that have opened up new areas to mass tourism, including Pedernales (Cabo Rojo Port in 2025), Taino Bay (Puerto Plata in 2021). Amber Cove had already opened in Puerto Plata in 2015.
Coming soon are ports in San Pedro de Macoris (pending approval of the Puerto Rican government), two ports are under construction in Samana, one in the city and another on the south side of the peninsula (Arroyo Barril) and Manzanillo (Montecristi), all expected to be operational in 2026.
So far this year, more than two million tourists have docked at Dominican ports, a 7% growth over the previous year.
The numbers of visitors arriving to the operating cruise ship terminals are:
Amber Cove in Puerto Plata (738,136 visitors), Taino Bay in Puerto Plata city (719,701), La Romana (206,150 visitors), Catalina Island – La Romana (20,204), Cabo Rojo (60,957), Samana (44,242), Santo Domingo (30,570).
Taino Bay in the city center of Puerto Plata has been one of the success stories. Dominican Port Authority director Jean Luis Rodriguez recently highlighted how the port received 350,000 passengers in its first year, moving to half a million in the second year, and 780,000 in its third year. This year, the number of arrivals is expected to reach one million.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 23 Member Lines operating nearly 200 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on cruise operations, tourism development, ports, tour operations, safety, security and other cruise industry issues.
By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA seeks to build cooperative relationships with its partner destinations and to develop productive bilateral partnerships with every sector.
The FCCA works with governments, ports and all private/public sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
Member lines are:
AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line Ltd, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Margaritaville At Sea, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, TUI Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Windstar Cruises.
Read more:
Caribbean Tourism Authority
Travel Agent Central
Marine Link
Listin Diario
12 August 2025