Carnival ship docks in Dominican Republic ending 20-year lull

Puerto Plata, DominicanRepublic.- The port of Amber Cove received at 4:am Tuesday the cruise shipCarnival Victory, the first to dock at Puerto Plata in more than 20 years,bringing 2,754 passengers and 1,100 crew, according to the local Tourism Ministryoffice.

The visitors began todescend from the ship at 8:05am when they can opt for Carnival Corporation´soffers of tours on 4-wheels, Puerto Plata´s historic center, Ocean World WaterPark, among others prior to their departure slated for 4pm.

Puerto Plata willtreat the visitors to the Tourism Ministry´s typical music show with a merengueorchestra, folk dancers and singers, a reception for Carnival executives, diariolibre.comreports, quoting Juan Pablo Gonzalez, of Puerto Plata´s Chamber of Commerce andcoordinator of the tourism project "Puerto Plata, cruise ship city."

According to CentralBank figures 239 ships with 302,198 passengers docked in Dominican Republic´sfive cruise ports from January to August: 131 ships with 58,885 passengers atSanto Domingo; 105 with 31,651 travelers at Don Diego (ferry); 26 with 27,234at Sans Souci; 82 with 204, 120 visitors at La Romana and 26 with 39,193tourists at Samaná.