Port Cabo Rojo named finalist for 2026 Seatrade Cruise Award

Port Cabo Rojo in Pedernales was among the three finalists for “Port of the Year” at the 2026 Seatrade Cruise Awards, one of the cruise industry’s major international recognitions.

Cabo Rojo competed against Portsmouth International Port in the United Kingdom and Skjolden Port in Norway. The award was presented September 16 during Seatrade Cruise Med in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

Skjolden Port of Norway ultimately won the award, while Cabo Rojo and Portsmouth International Port were the other finalists.

The nomination placed the Dominican terminal alongside established European cruise ports and highlighted the growing international profile of Pedernales and the country’s southern region in the cruise tourism industry.

APORDOM previously said Cabo Rojo was selected from more than 20 finalists by an independent panel of 15 cruise-industry professionals.

Since beginning operations, Port Cabo Rojo has become a key component of the tourism development strategy for the southwest, opening Pedernales to new cruise routes and increasing the destination’s exposure in the international cruise market.

The recognition comes as the Dominican Republic continues to expand its port infrastructure and position destinations beyond the country’s traditional cruise hubs.

Although Cabo Rojo did not win the 2026 award, its selection as a finalist represents an international recognition of the terminal’s development and its growing role in the Dominican Republic’s cruise tourism sector.