Dominican Republic, FCCA Partner to Boost Cruises

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism has signed a landmark agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) to accelerate cruise growth and strengthen the nation’s position as a leading Caribbean destination. The partnership elevates the Dominican Republic into an exclusive group of only five destinations worldwide holding a presidential-level relationship with the FCCA—the first country to join this circle in several years.

Tourism Minister David Collado called the agreement a pivotal moment for the nation’s cruise sector, noting that more than 2.6 million maritime passengers visited the Dominican Republic last year. Cruise arrivals have already surged by 177 percent in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2019, with additional growth expected through 2026 and beyond.

Key elements of the pact include direct engagement with senior cruise line executives to develop new itineraries, on-site technical evaluations to enhance the passenger experience at Dominican ports, and a national strategy to integrate Dominican talent into the cruise industry. A training program will prepare 1,250 strategic team members at ports in Santo Domingo, Pedernales, Samaná, La Romana, and Puerto Plata to improve service quality and operational efficiency.

For the 2025-26 winter season, operational agreements have already been formalized with Norwegian Cruise Line in La Romana and Costa Cruises at Sansouci Port in

Santo Domingo. Additionally, MSC Cruises is slated to launch year-round homeport service from La Romana beginning in November 2026, further cementing the Dominican Republic’s role as a premier hub for Caribbean cruising.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/cruise