Cruisers Beware: This New Dominican Port Just Not Ready for Prime Time

With the peak of spring cruise season upon us and summer vacation coming, lots of Georgia families are considering cruise vacations. And if you're from Georgia, what's the downside? Ports are within driving distances, fares are reasonable, and there's a wide variety of cruise line and itenerary options availalbe for Georgia vacationers.

Promising a Caribbean paradise, the new port of Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic isn't ready for prime time.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

If you're a Georgia resident considering a cruise, don't be surprised if you see a new port on your itenerary. The Dominican Republic is investing mightily in a new port called Cabo Rojo, in the Pedernales.

But if you see it on a 2024 cruise itenerary, you should know that the port is in early stages of development and the basic infrastructure isn't in place yet. Thus, if you're a traveler from Georgia considering you Caribbean stops, you might want to rethink a cruise with Cajo Rojo, DR, on your itenerary.

We were the second ship to call at this new Dominican port, docking aboard Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam on April 8.

Our summary on Cabo Rojo . . . Give it a year. While everyone is trying REALLY hard to make our call a successful visit, but it's clear the port just isn't ready yet. Read on for the details.

A "tourist-only" port, Cabo Rojo is an under-construction shopping and entertainment center.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Approaching the dock, the first thing you see isn't a Caribbean paradise, but rather a massive construction site. Equipment and fences line the small peninsula, separating the "open-to-visitors" areas from the construction areas. Further on shore, huge hotel construction sites are visible, speaking to the uture of the area.

But in spring 2024, the shops aren't open. The small beach at the port is not open. The tour operators are limited, as is capacity on their activities. And little of the connecting infrastructure is ready.

Clearly behind schedule based on posted placards, most of the shopping in the shopping and entertainment port isn't opened yet.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Workers and officials were friendly and tried hard, with good efforts with free swag, free drinks and a massive fireworks show. But as a working "tourist-only port," there's a long way to go.

The best way to think of Cabo Rojo is to compare it to a new version Amber Cove, another new Dominican Republic port. And if you like these types of "fantasy" ports -- basically small entertainment and shopping districts on the waterfront with no connection to actual towns -- then Cabo Rojo eventually will be a good choice.

A large pool and soaking area was opened and welcomed visitors. Port officials declared drinks were free, and Holland America refunded fees.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Today, Holland America has lots of dissatisfied cruisers on Nieuw Amsterdam who signed on for a stop in Turks and Caicos and, instead, were dumped on an unfinished port. The ship's cruise director "pumped up" the port during his dpreview port talks -- and obviously had not been onshore at the port. Little of his brochure talk matched up with reality.

To their credit, port officials and Holland America did their best to make it a fun stop. Drinks were free throughout the port on our visit. High-energy DJs and dancers did their best to entertain. At departure, a huge fireworks show bade us farewell. And back on board, Holland America refunded our port fees and costs for the stop.

Only 15 miles from the Haitian border, security was heavy and apparent on land and at sea.Photo byDeanLand /OurTravelCafe.com

One final note: Security at the port -- both on land and in the nearby sea -- was heavy and visible. On land, uniformed security guards, local police and army personnel strolled the port. A Dominican Coast Guard vessel patrolled the nearby waters from our arrival through departure. And we spotted several drones overhead, likely with cameras watching the shoreline. This is because the port is very near the Haitian border, an there's nervousness about spill-over.

In 2025, Cabo Rojo should be a good stop. But for now, if you select a cruise with this port, go with low expectations and you won't be disappointed.

Or, stay on the ship and enjoy the spa specials.

Whatever you do, if your ship stops at Cabo Rojoy, relax and enjoy; you're on vacation.