Dominican Republic cruise tourism up nearly 10%

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic welcomed 1.6 million cruise ship visitors between January and June 2025, marking a 9.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth highlights the country’s rising prominence as a leading Caribbean cruise destination.

Speaking at the International Congress on Finance and Auditing (CIFA) and the Latin American Seminar of Accountants and Auditors (SELATCA), Vice Minister of Tourism Jacqueline Mora emphasized the cruise sector’s rapid expansion. She credited the development of new piers—particularly since 2022—for transforming the industry, boosting annual arrivals from 1.1 million in 2019 to a projected 2.7 million by the end of 2025.

Mora noted that the Dominican Republic has moved from being the seventh to the third most important cruise port in the Caribbean, now trailing only the Bahamas and Cozumel. She added that, with continued investment, the country could surpass Cozumel within the next two years.