First arrivals scheduled for November and December, reinforcing the country’s growing role in the Caribbean cruise market

Disney Cruise Line is set to begin operations in the Dominican Republic with confirmed arrivals to Puerto Plata between November and December, marking an important milestone for the country’s cruise industry and further reinforcing its reputation as a trusted destination for the world’s leading cruise operators.

According to Jean Luis Rodríguez, Executive Director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), this achievement reflects years of coordinated planning and strategic positioning aimed at strengthening the nation’s port infrastructure and international competitiveness within the cruise sector.

The progress comes as the result of an ongoing effort that included high-level meetings, international trade participation, and continuous negotiations across key industry platforms such as Seatrade Cruise Global and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), as well as bilateral engagements with major cruise lines and port operators.

“From our first participation in Seatrade 2021, when we held exploratory meetings with major cruise lines, we committed to creating the port, operational, and security conditions required by a line like Disney. Today, that vision is beginning to materialize”

Jean Luis Rodríguez, Executive Director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom)
Building Confidence Through Infrastructure and Port Readiness

In close coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Port Authority has implemented a structured and long-term strategy focused on the key factors required to attract cruise operators that specialize in family and leisure travel, a segment where global brands like Disney demand the highest standards.

These efforts have centered on three fundamental areas:

  • Port infrastructure upgrades
  • Enhanced operational standards
  • Strengthening the overall passenger experience across terminals

Together, these improvements have elevated the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness and reinforced its positioning as a reliable, safe, and well-prepared cruise destination within the Caribbean.

“The arrival of Disney Cruise Line is a sign of confidence in our ports, in the safety of the destination, and in the institutional capacity of the State to meet international standards,” the official stated, adding that the achievement was the result of “consistency, planning, and presence in the sector’s negotiation spaces.”

Rodríguez emphasized that this milestone is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s presence within the global cruise industry. The long-term plan focuses on attracting new routes, diversifying destinations beyond traditional ports, and ensuring that Dominican terminals remain competitive, secure, and operationally efficient by international standards.

This approach positions cruise tourism not only as a source of visitor growth, but also as a catalyst for regional development, supporting local economies, generating employment, and expanding opportunities for communities connected to the country’s port cities.

“We will continue working with the same vision and responsibility, convinced that each new arrival is an opportunity to generate development, employment, and national pride”

Jean Luis Rodríguez

Source: www.diariolibre.com