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For a
company that prefers not to be in cruise port development, Carnival Corp. is
sure spending a lot to build the Amber Cove project in the Dominican Republic's
Puerto Plata region.
The Miami-based cruise ship company is
spending $85 million to develop this purpose-built cruise ship facility on the
country’s northern coast, in partnership with Rannik family of Grupo B&R, a
Dominican-based port development firm.
The port is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first
year and provide approximately 430 local jobs. Amber Cove is named for this
region’s rich minerals reserves, highlighted by generous amounts of amber.
The price tag is “more than we have ever invested in anywhere in the world,”
said Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination
development for Carnival Corporation.
That’s quite a statement for a company like Carnival, which through its five
cruise brands has operations in virtually every part of the world. Israel said
Carnival ships operate from 128 global cruise ports. But his rhetoric reflects
his company’s desire to continue its passenger growth through new itinerary
options in the crucial Caribbean region.
Earlier this month, Israel and David Candib, Carnival’s vice president of
development and operations, global port and destination development group,
joined Francisco Javier, the Dominican Republic’s tourism director, escorted
journalists on a tour of the Amber Cove site, which is scheduled to open in
October.
The officials led our group through a spacious port complex set in a broad cove
ringed by lush green mountains. The facility features a long pier with two
berths that can accommodate the largest ships. They pointed out upcoming
facilities that will include a waterfront welcome center; a recreational area
with a pool, water park and green spaces; waterfront cabanas; a hilltop bar and
observation point; retail outlets selling Dominican crafts and souvenirs; plus
multiple food and beverage options. |
