Dominican Republic ranks third in Caribbean cruise arrivals

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic continues to strengthen its position in the Caribbean cruise market, aiming to turn short-term cruise visitors into returning tourists and establish the country as a regional cruise hub. This goal is supported by ongoing investments in new ports, such as Cabo Rojo in Pedernales and Manzanillo in Montecristi.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry expects to reach 37.7 million passengers by 2025, generating a global impact of over US$168 billion. Reflecting this upward trend, the Dominican Republic welcomed 2.62 million cruise passengers in 2024, a 16% increase over 2023, boosted by the opening of Cabo Rojo Port. This growth positioned the country third in the Caribbean, behind the Bahamas (9.3 million) and Cozumel, Mexico (4.6 million).

Despite differences in percentage and absolute growth among Caribbean destinations, the Dominican Republic’s performance demonstrates steady expansion and growing competitiveness in cruise tourism. While smaller islands like Barbados and Turks and Caicos led in percentage growth, the Dominican Republic’s rise in total passenger volume solidifies its importance in the regional cruise circuit. Authorities view this as an opportunity to boost spending, attract repeat visitors, and expand tourism benefits across the country.