Cruises to Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

1,019 Reviews
Amber Cove (Photo:Cruise Criitc)

About Cruising to Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Amber Cove is an $85 million port in the Dominican Republic developed for cruise passengers by Carnival Corporation. Originally developed with the intention to use the port for volunteering opportunities on the now-defunct Carnival brand fathom, cruisers from various Carnival Corp. cruise lines can still join fathom shore excursions like a tour of a women's cooperative making chocolate, or a recycled paper and crafts entrepreneurship.

When Amber Cove opened in 2015, it was the first time since the 1980s that a cruise ship stopped at what is known as the Amber Coast, so called for its abundance of the translucent, burnt-orange stone. Located along the Bay of Maimon on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic -- not far from Puerto Plata, which was used as a filming location for the first Jurassic Park film -- the port is equipped with two berths and designed to accommodate 10,000 passengers from most of Carnival Corp.'s brands, including Carnival, Holland America, Costa, Cunard and P&O, among others.

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Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic

8 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

1,504 Reviews
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Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia showing off new livery (Photo/Carnival Cruise Line)

11 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

85 Reviews
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Nieuw Amsterdam
Nieuw Amsterdam

7 Night
Tropical Caribbean

963 Reviews
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Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration (Image: Carnival Cruise Line)

6 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

80 Reviews
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10 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

85 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Tropical Caribbean

963 Reviews
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8 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

1,418 Reviews
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8 Night
Exotic Southern Caribbean Cruise

472 Reviews
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7 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

184 Reviews
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8 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

1,418 Reviews
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7 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

184 Reviews
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6 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

184 Reviews
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7 Night
Caribbean - Eastern Cruise

2,769 Reviews
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11 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

85 Reviews
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7 Night
Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise

80 Reviews
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More about Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Why Cruise to Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?

Pros:

Amber Cove's resort-style pool features a swim-up bar, water slide and plenty of lounge chairs

Cons:

There's no beach onsite; the nearest one is roughly 15 minutes away and requires a taxi

Bottom Line:

Thanks to its exclusivity as a private port, Amber Cove hardly feels overcrowded

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Cruise Port Facilities?

Visitors can walk the long dock or take a complimentary covered pedicab (tips appreciated) in order to pass through the fort-like structure that leads to Amber Cove's duty-free shops and tour buses. Note that some tours meet as soon as you pass through the entrance and into this area. The cobblestoned space with candy-colored buildings offers a range of shops from Diamonds International and stores for watches and leather goods to a pharmacy and a shop that offers all items for $20 or less. You'll also find a cafe and a bar (these offer Wi-Fi and restrooms). In the center is a round building offering stamps and information about the Dominican Republic. For those taking a stroll, you'll notice a few eye-catching sculptures around a fountain, and a wall of information about the area's history, including its various uses as a filming location.

To the far left, if you walk beyond the stores and past the bar, you'll uncover a great photo opportunity of the words "Amber Cove!" in large lettering, typically in front of where your ship is docked. Surrounding this quiet outcrop are a handful of stalls manned by local vendors selling their wares.

If you continue straight through the cobblestoned path, to the right of the central building, you will see a huge archway that leads to tour buses and shore excursion departures on the right, and a taxi line on the left. Prices for one to five people start at $20 one way to Ocean World; $35 to Puerto Plata and $50 to Damajagua, known as the waterfalls. Also to the left, right before you pass under the archway, are a few administrative offices, a desk for National/Alamo car rentals and an ATM.

For cruisers staying close by, Amber Cove offers a resort-style swimming pool, including a swim-up bar, and a lazy river. An open and a closed water slide at the Aqua Zone are fantastic for kids (and adults). This entire area, including the lounge chairs, are free of charge. Further on, visitors will find a separate playground/splash pad for small children, a basketball court and jumbo chess. Restrooms are located all around the area.


Interested in learning more about the Amber Cove cruise port? Check out our article on fun things to do in Amber Cove (with photos) to help you prepare for your time at the port.


Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Cruise Reviews
We went on a beach excursion while at Amber Cove to avoid the water park scene at the cruise port. It was a nice adventure that took us by bus through Porta Plata. The ride provided us with interesting sight of theRead More
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Hoosier Travelers
In Amber Cove, we chose to do the Classic Cars Tour in Puerto Plata. We really enjoyed sightseeing and riding around in a 1960 Thunderbird with our driver Franklin. We took a walking tour, enjoyed Pina coladas, toureRead More
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tjsmith111222
The cable car was amazing! Puerta Plata is very beautiful as well. I’d skip the Amber Museum and Rum Factory.Read More
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CruiseMamaPittsburgh
Enjoyed Amber Cove,we sunbathed with the Entertainment people Read More
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DR2

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