Do you have an upcoming cruise heading to Amber Cove? If so, then this guide to everything you need to know about Amber Cove Dominican Republic is for you.

If, after reading this guide you still have questions, drop us an anchor below and we will be happy to help make your trip to Amber Cove a memorable one.

Everything You Need to Know About Amber Cove Dominican Republic (2024)

What is Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic?

Amber Cove Cruise Center is one of the Dominican Republic’s newest cruise ports; it opened in 2015. This port of call is located on the Bay of Maimon along the Dominican Republic’s northern “Amber Coast.” It is located just northwest of Puerto Plata.

This two-berth cruise terminal is named after the amber stone that is mined in the area. It represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic. This 25-acre cruise port was an $85 million investment by Carnival Corporation.

Despite being quite new, Amber Cove maintains a historic vibe as the nearby Puerto Plata actually dates back to the late 1400’s. Thus, Amber Cove serves as your gateway to historic sites, beautiful beaches, and a plethora of adventurous activities while visiting the Dominican Republic.

Prior to the development of Amber Cove, this area of the Dominican Republic hadn’t seen a cruise ship since the 1980’s. Today, there is still less cruise traffic, allowing you to explore with less crowds.

Getting to Amber Cove Dominican Republic

Amber Cove is a private cruise line destination. So the only way to visit this port of call is on a cruise, much like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay, or Half Moon Cay.

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic was built by Carnival Corporation, and therefore is primarily used by cruise brands within the Carnival Corp. fleet. Currently, ships from Holland America, Carnival, Princess, Costa, and Cunard have Amber Cove on their itinerary schedules.

Other non-Carnival Corp. cruise lines do occasionally call at Amber Cove as well though, such as Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

Once you arrive at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, it is a short walk down the pier to the main port area. For those who can’t walk long distances, there are complimentary pedicabs to drive you down the pier.

There is plenty to do in the port area. However, there is also a transportation hub off the main port area for taxis and buses allowing visitors easy access to other attractions in Puerto Plata.

What’s Included at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic?

When visiting Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic on a cruise, guests have the option to spend the day in the port or book an excursion to explore more of this historic area.

While Amber Cove does not have a beach, there is plenty to do within the port without spending any money. The biggest draw of Amber Cove is the large resort-style pool.

This pool has a swim-up bar and plenty of lounge chairs to relax and soak up the sun. The beach loungers are complimentary, but you will need to bring towels from the ship. When we visited it was only our ship in port, so this area was pretty quiet. Still, we suggest getting off the ship sooner rather than later to secure the best spots.

Located near the pool are also two waterslides and a splash pad for kids. Again, these areas are free for the little ones to enjoy at no added cost. There is also a basketball and volleyball court, as well as a giant chess game.

If you want to escape the crowds near the pool, there is a small secluded section of hammocks near the bay.

There is also a large shopping area to browse. Near the end of the shopping center, you won’t want to miss the photo op with the Amber Cove sign. This sign is strategically located for the perfect photo with your cruise ship in the background.

Unfortunately, food and drinks are NOT included at Amber Cove Dominican Republic. While there are restaurants and bars, they will cost you extra money. Also, your cruise ship drink package will not work at the bars in this port area.

Further, your ship WiFi package will not work here either. If you have international cell phone coverage, local rates will apply. Or, you can purchase an all-day Amber Cove WiFi pass for just $8.

Food and Drinks at Amber Cove

While the food and drinks will cost extra at Amber Cove Dominican Republic, you might still want to sample the local flavor.

Amber Cove has two eating areas, one near the pool and the other in the shopping area. Both Coco Caña locations offer food and drinks to purchase at a la carte prices. The location near the pool also has a swim-up bar.

Additionally, the Sky Bar is worth a visit while in Amber Cove Dominican Republic. Cruisers can reach this hilltop bar via a series of dirt steps or an inclined walkway near the waterslides. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of Amber Cove and perhaps a drink or two.

Things to Do at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

While in Amber Cove, the most popular activity is probably the Aqua Zone. You can easily spend the entire day just lounging by this complimentary pool area, while the kids enjoy the waterslides and splash pad.

You can rent umbrellas for $20, lockers for $6, or book a VIP package which entitles you to a reserved area near the pool with additional amenities.

If you are looking for a bit of adventure, Amber Cove Dominican Republic has a zipline that soars over the pool area. Guests can purchase an all-day pass for just $20. There is also a water sports rental area. Here, guests can rent items like paddleboards, hydrobikes, kayaks, pedal boats, or solar catamarans for either a half hour or an hour at varying prices from $20 to $60.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to the Caribbean without doing a little shopping. The marketplace right at the port offers more than just your typical shops. You can purchase rum, coffee, chocolate, amber, and various other items.

If you want to upgrade your day at Amber Cove, you can rent a cabana. You can choose between a Hillside Cabana, Poolside Cabana, Ocean Cabana, or Grand Cabana.

Most cabana rentals include bottles of water and soda, a basket of local goodies, and an all-day pass for eight guests for the zip-line, as well as some specific amenities based on which cabana you choose. Pricing for these cabanas vary from $500+ to $2,000+.

Shore Excursions at Amber Cove

If you’d prefer to venture beyond Amber Cove, there are plenty of shore excursions that depart from this port area. These excursions vary from beach breaks and historical tours to adventure activities.

Puerto Plata’s Atlantic coastline has more than 60 miles of beaches. Thus, spending the day at the beach is a popular way to enjoy a call at Amber Cove. The cruise lines offer the All-Inclusive Coconut Cove and Playa Bachata beach breaks as well as other beach stops included in Puerto Plata sightseeing tours.

Puerto Plata’s Malecon is known for its shopping, restaurants, and bars where you can enjoy a bit of Dominican culture. At the very end of the seafront, you will see the massive stone walls of the Fortress of San Felipe, a historic military fortress converted into a museum.

You can also partake in chocolate factory tours, visit the Amber Museum, tour the Brugal Rum factory or a cigar factory, and interact with local coffee farmers.

Monkeyland is another popular attraction near Amber Cove for families. Here, you can interact with the friendly squirrel monkeys.

You can also enjoy more animal encounters at the popular Ocean World Adventure Park. Here, you can watch dolphin, sea lion, shark, and tropical bird shows; go snorkeling; swim in the Pirate’s Pool; or just relax at the Dolphin Beach Lagoon.

Damajagua Falls is just a 30 minute ride south of Amber Cove and is the premier attraction of Puerto Plata. Here, you can climb, slide, and jump from a number of these 27 waterfalls for the ultimate day of adventure.

If you are looking for more adventure, your cruise line will also offer horseback riding, ziplining, dune buggy rides, and catamaran sails during your visit to Amber Cove.

Comments

Have you visited Amber Cove Dominican Republic on a cruise? What are some of your favorite things to do at this port of call? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences spending the day at Amber Cove.