Cruises from DR in 2009-2010?????

[Banker Bill]

Originally Posted by suzannel

Every year when in the DR, we take a cruise out of Santo Domingo. However this year my searches for a cruise are all showing that there are no cruise line sailling from RD, except one from La Romana on a very expensive cruise.
Does anyone have knowledge of cruises that I might have overlooked in my search???

In January, I cruised with Royal Caribbean out of Santo Domingo and loved it. I was hoping to do it again; however, I haven't seen any DR cruises for 2010. In June, I believe Royal Caribbean posted their 2010 schedule and nothing was listed out of the DR.

It's possible that RC suspended trips out of the DR for 2010, due to poor global economic conditions. I don't know. Nevertheless, this year, it looked like RC was practically giving away rooms at $40-50/a night per person.

BTW, do you have any additional information on the 2010 La Romana cruise.

Thanks,
BB

[suzannel]

Originally Posted by Banker Bill

In January, I cruised with Royal Caribbean out of Santo Domingo and loved it. I was hoping to do it again; however, I haven't seen any DR cruises for 2010. In June, I believe Royal Caribbean posted their 2010 schedule and nothing was listed out of the DR.

It's possible that RC suspended trips out of the DR for 2010, due to poor global economic conditions. I don't know. Nevertheless, this year, it looked like RC was practically giving away rooms at $40-50/a night per person.

BTW, do you have any additional information on the 2010 La Romana cruise.

Thanks,
BB

The one I found was Silverseas - Prince Albert II. Cruises to Central America and also Panama. Discount Cruises. Best cruise prices as agents compete at CruiseCompete.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Black Dog

I understand that Royal Caribbean will not be sailing from Santo Domingo in 2010 and if you check out their website you wont find any listings for it, great shame!

It is a shame. I took last year's 7 day cruise and intended to take both in April 2010. Maybe it is the Ship Jumping problem. The cruise liner are probably responsable for the jumpers and it costs them a fortune. Once again a few Dominicans spoil it for the rest. As for the filth in Santo Domingo, I was embarassed to see so much garbage floating. It is truly the dirtiest island I've seen in the Caribbean. I guess it will be via Puerto Rico next year. Too bad because it will be more expensive.

[suzannel]

Originally Posted by Eddy

It is a shame. I took last year's 7 day cruise and intended to take both in April 2010. Maybe it is the Ship Jumping problem. The cruise liner are probably responsable for the jumpers and it costs them a fortune. Once again a few Dominicans spoil it for the rest. As for the filth in Santo Domingo, I was embarassed to see so much garbage floating. It is truly the dirtiest island I've seen in the Caribbean. I guess it will be via Puerto Rico next year. Too bad because it will be more expensive.

Eddy, I believe we met on that cruise last year, you are out of Sosua right????....you are correct it is ashame that there will not be a cruise out of SD this year. I understand however that Costa Cruise maybe working with Air Transat out of La Romana on the Costa Atlantica or Costa Med....

I think however that we will be either flying to Florida or Puerto Rico for our cruise this year....More choices in Florida and with Jet Blue flying to Florida now it is much cheaper.

As for the ship jumpers, it surprises me as I know for seeing myself and questionning it with the authorities, that last year the ship authorities were holding on to the passports of the Dominicans boarding the ship. They did not do this for Canadians or U.S. passengers. I do not think that this is why Royal Caribean are not longer in RD, the economy is probably in play here as the prices they offered last year to get passengers was so low that it was probably not sound business for them....

[Banker Bill]

Originally Posted by suzannel

The one I found was Silverseas - Prince Albert II. Cruises to Central America and also Panama. Discount Cruises. Best cruise prices as agents compete at CruiseCompete.

Thanks Suzannel!

[coastlineconstruction]

Originally Posted by FireGuy

I seem to recall that when the cruising from SD started that a number of Dominican Passengers didn't return to the ship in a foreign port (i.e. - jumped ship). Shortly after Dominican passengers were denied disembarkation rights in some ports, I believe. I'm going from memory so I don't claim to necessarily remember the details 100%.

Gregg

Some friends of mine who took the first cruise out of SD tell me that at the end of the cruise, while they were waiting to get off, a VERY long list of names was read and re-read. (Names of people that Royal was trying to locate) These were no doubt people who had racked up high drinking bills and probably got off at the last port and didnt get back on.

[suzannel]

Originally Posted by coastlineconstruction

Some friends of mine who took the first cruise out of SD tell me that at the end of the cruise, while they were waiting to get off, a VERY long list of names was read and re-read. (Names of people that Royal was trying to locate) These were no doubt people who had racked up high drinking bills and probably got off at the last port and didnt get back on.

Hi, since on every cruise I ever took and this includes last year's cruise with Royal Caribean out of SD, the first thing they do (even before you board the ship) is to take an imprint of your credit card and a copy of your identification, I doubt that jumping ship would be linked to a large bar bill. On board you cannot pay with cash or your credit cards, you must use the card they give you upon boarding which is linked to the credit card you showed upon arrival.
I guess a stolen or cloned card could be used by someone but they would need to have it in their name and the name would have to match to the passport.....

[coastlineconstruction]

Originally Posted by suzannel

Hi, since on every cruise I ever took and this includes last year's cruise with Royal Caribean out of SD, the first thing they do (even before you board the ship) is to take an imprint of your credit card and a copy of your identification, I doubt that jumping ship would be linked to a large bar bill. On board you cannot pay with cash or your credit cards, you must use the card they give you upon boarding which is linked to the credit card you showed upon arrival.
I guess a stolen or cloned card could be used by someone but they would need to have it in their name and the name would have to match to the passport.....

For sure- RC does have all of that information when you board. I don't think that the ship-jumpers are necessarily worried about an unpaid bill back in the DR though.

[FireGuy]

From today's DR1 Travel News...

FYI

"Take a cruise from Santo Domingo
Pacific Dream (Pullmantur) is departing Santo Domingo for an 8 Day/7 Night cruise of eastern Caribbean this fall and early winter. The cruiseship will make stops in Barbados, Martinica, Guadaloupe, St. Maarten, Tortola and Santo Domingo. A promotional price of US$287.28 plus taxes and charges for Saturday departures in October (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) is being marketed to local passengers originating in Santo Domingo. Other departures are in November (7, 14, 21, 28), December (5, 12, 19, 26), January 2010 (2, 9, 16, 23, 30), February (6, 13, 20, 27) and on 6 March. This is a tour with a Latin feel to it throughout. Alcoholic beverages are included in the prices.
Pacific Dream, Pullmantur Cruises' new 46,811-ton ship with capacity for 1,875 passengers, went into service in 2009.
In Santo Domingo, contact prietotours@prietotours.com or call 809 685-0102, Ext. 279"

Gregg

[windeguy]

Does anyone know if a Dominican can take this cruise and visit all of the ports without having to get visas for each one?

Originally Posted by FireGuy

From today's DR1 Travel News...

FYI

"Take a cruise from Santo Domingo
Pacific Dream (Pullmantur) is departing Santo Domingo for an 8 Day/7 Night cruise of eastern Caribbean this fall and early winter. The cruiseship will make stops in Barbados, Martinica, Guadaloupe, St. Maarten, Tortola and Santo Domingo. A promotional price of US$287.28 plus taxes and charges for Saturday departures in October (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) is being marketed to local passengers originating in Santo Domingo. Other departures are in November (7, 14, 21, 28), December (5, 12, 19, 26), January 2010 (2, 9, 16, 23, 30), February (6, 13, 20, 27) and on 6 March. This is a tour with a Latin feel to it throughout. Alcoholic beverages are included in the prices.
Pacific Dream, Pullmantur Cruises' new 46,811-ton ship with capacity for 1,875 passengers, went into service in 2009.
In Santo Domingo, contact prietotours@prietotours.com or call 809 685-0102, Ext. 279"

Gregg