The Dominican Republic, thru the Ministry of Tourism and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), signed on August 5, 2025 a historic strategic agreement. It will ensure greater investment. But also allow more cruise passengers to visit the Caribbean country and significantly consolidate the Dominican Republic position in the cruise sector.
In the presence of the Dominican president, Luis Abinader, the agreement was signed by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and Adam Ceserano, president of the FCCA.
President Abinader highlighted the importance of the agreement, after appreciating the sustained growth recorded in cruise tourism in the country. “Cruise tourism is at its peak in the Dominican Republic,” he assured.
Last year, the Caribbean island received 2,656,305 passengers by sea. It represented a growth of 18% over 2023. Cruises generated 23.8% of all international arrivals which reached 11,192,047 last year.
Two brand-new cruise ports to be built
To sustain the growth of the cruise industry, two new tourist ports will be built, including one in Manzanillo. The Dominican Republic has already 7 existing port facilities.
The ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay, in Puerto Plata, captured 82.6% of passengers by sea in 2024. A new port, Cabo Rojo, opened last year, received 11,626 visitors.
“The signing of this agreement marks a pivotal moment in the history of Dominican tourism regarding the cruise sector,” proclaimed Tourism Minister Collado.
“Through this alliance, we reaffirm the commitment to continue raising the quality, competitiveness, and investment in the tourism sector. It consolidates the Dominican Republic as a regional benchmark in the cruise industry,” further expressed Collado.
The president of the FCCA, Adam Ceserano, described it as an extraordinary agreement and assured that this alliance will further boost cruise tourism in the Dominican Republic. He added that the Dominican Republic is “fully committed to cruise tourism and we will support the authority in that effort.”
Multiple events around the Dominican Republic
Among some of the key points of the strategic agreement is the incorporation of the country as one of the five FCCA presidential strategic partners at regional level. The status will facilitate the organization of private strategic meetings with high executives of Florida cruise lines. It will also focus on the development of services, products, local sourcing opportunities, new itineraries, and job creation.
Both FCCA executives and the Ministry of Tourism will implement a strategy for the employment of Dominicans in cruises. Cruise lines executives will conduct technical evaluation visits. Those will focus on reviewing the passenger experience at the country’s destinations and offering recommendations for improvement.
The agreement also includes priority access to professional training programs with AQUILA (Center for Cruise Excellence), the institutional participation of the Dominican Republic in high-level international events. For example such as Seatrade Cruise Global 2026. The FCCA Platinum Members Conference will organize its meeting next year in the Dominican Republic.
This agreement will be in effect until December 31, 2026, extending for a period of 17 months.
