The Dominican Republic welcomed 151,096 cruise passengers in September 2026, a 54.7% increase year-on-year. Amber Cove and Taíno Bay accounted for more than 86% of arrivals, while total cruise traffic for the first nine months of the year surpassed 2 million passengers.
Cruise passenger arrivals in the Dominican Republic rose sharply in September 2026, reaching 151,096 visitors compared with 97,700 in the same month last year, according to figures presented by Tourism Minister David Collado on October 7.
The increase contrasts with the more moderate growth recorded over the January–September period, when the country’s cruise ports received 2,097,253 passengers, up 4% from 2025.
September Cruise Arrivals Rise 54.7%
September’s performance represented an increase of 53,396 cruise passengers compared with September 2025. Arrivals were also 35.2% above September 2024, when the country welcomed 111,735 passengers. Compared with September 2019, when 49,921 cruise passengers were recorded, the latest monthly total was 202.7% higher.
The September increase was substantially stronger than the 4% growth registered over the first nine months of 2026. This difference highlights the contrast between the latest monthly performance and the broader year-to-date trend.
For port operators, the national figures also reveal significant differences in traffic distribution, with most September cruise arrivals concentrated at two terminals in the Puerto Plata area.
Puerto Plata Accounts for Most Cruise Arrivals
Amber Cove was the Dominican Republic’s busiest cruise terminal in September, receiving 85,113 passengers across 20 reported operations. The terminal accounted for approximately 56% of national cruise arrivals, with passenger traffic increasing 71% compared with September 2025 and 23% compared with September 2024. Taíno Bay, also located in Puerto Plata, welcomed 45,620 passengers across 13 operations. Its September traffic increased 26% year-on-year and 37% compared with the same month in 2024.
Together, Amber Cove and Taíno Bay handled 130,733 cruise passengers, representing approximately 86.5% of all cruise arrivals recorded nationally during September.
Elsewhere, Cabo Rojo, in the southwestern province of Pedernales, accounted for approximately 12% of September cruise arrivals. The terminal registered four operations, with passenger traffic increasing 84% compared with the same month last year.
Santo Domingo received 1,964 cruise passengers during the month, representing an annual increase of 25%.
These figures underline the concentration of cruise activity in Puerto Plata, while also showing different growth rates across the country’s cruise terminals.
Port Activity Extends into October
More recent operational figures from the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) provide an additional indication of cruise activity during October.
Between October 12 and 15, Amber Cove, Taíno Bay and Cabo Rojo collectively received 11 cruise ships carrying 45,627 passengers. Amber Cove handled six vessels with 27,707 passengers, while Taíno Bay received four vessels carrying 13,628 passengers. The two Puerto Plata terminals therefore accounted for 41,335 passengers, or 90.6% of the total recorded during the four-day period. Cabo Rojo received one vessel carrying 4,292 passengers.
These figures cover a specific four-day operational period rather than the full month of October, but they provide a recent snapshot of traffic distribution across the three terminals.
The latest results add a statistical dimension to the Dominican Republic’s evolving cruise port network, previously examined by LATITUDE15 in The Multi-Port Logic Behind Dominican Cruise Growth.
While September recorded strong year-on-year growth, the 4% increase over the first nine months provides a broader measure of the country’s cruise traffic performance in 2026.
FAQ
How many cruise passengers visited the Dominican Republic in September 2026?
The country received 151,096 cruise passengers, representing a 54.7% increase compared with September 2025.
Which Dominican cruise terminals received the most passengers?
Amber Cove led with 85,113 passengers, followed by Taíno Bay with 45,620. Together, the two Puerto Plata terminals accounted for approximately 86.5% of September’s national cruise arrivals.
How many cruise passengers arrived during the first nine months of 2026?
Dominican cruise ports welcomed 2,097,253 passengers between January and September 2026, an increase of 4% compared with the same period in 2025.
