Do you think Carnival will remove La Romana, Domenican Republic as a port?

[BellaSweet]

I hope they don't stop going to those ports. I've been to many islands/ports and with the exception of Belize, I've always felt 100% safe. Even in Nassau when I was offered every type of narcotic imaginable. Safer than I do walking around the city of Baltimore.

 

Anytime you travel you have to be aware of your surroundings and make intelligent decisions. Do I want to go stay at a resort in DR? Its probably not on my list right now but I would feel fine with a port stop.

[evandbob]

2 hours ago, eh24fan said:

While it's not La Romana or Amber Cove, our family's most memorable port stop ever was Samana, DR.  We had a GREAT time and met some wonderful folks on our tour that day.  My parents took my then 13yr old on an NCL cruise in 2013 that stopped in Samana and they all loved it, my son most of all.  In fact, his insistence that we needed to see Samana was the sole reason we booked the same ship, same itinerary the following year.  One of the things we loved the most was that Samana was not ruined by the commercialism that is seen in so many other Caribbean ports these days.  No Diamonds International or Senor Frogs.  We met locals who were eager and happy to share their way of life, their foods, their livelihoods and in one woman's case, her home.  It was an amazing day and one that we would love to have done again, but most mainstream cruises aren't going there anymore. I venture to say that part of the problem would be what has been stated here repeatedly - a fear of something that isn't "pretty." 

 

The deaths in DR recently are traumatic and terrible for sure.  But is that a reason to avoid going there?  I mean, there are shootings and killings and deaths in our small town in Delaware, but we certainly don't stop shopping and going to dinner. 

 

Samana also has some great whale watching tours in season.  I agree, great place!

[Tapi]

4 hours ago, purplephenom said:

Thanks for sharing these pictures.  I am excited about visiting La Romana for my first time next February on the Horizon, 

You welcome. Even though those are stock photos, those are all places and things that we experienced while at La Romana. Altos de Chavon, horseback riding in Casa de Campo, A beach day in Isla Saona. All wonderful memories. 

 

Just do your research, and have your activities planned out! Have a great time!

[purplephenom]

2 minutes ago, Tapi said:

You welcome. Even though those are stock photos, those are all places and things that we experienced while at La Romana. Altos de Chavon, horseback riding in Casa de Campo, A beach day in Isla Saona. All wonderful memories. 

 

Just do your research, and have your activities planned out! Have a great time!

 

For right now, I've got dune buggies booked thru Carnival.  I'm debating between this and the top 10 of La Romana- it doesn't sound like there are 10 attractions on that tour, but there looks to be a baseball stadium tour (i'm a huge fan so that's a plus in my book).  But the reviews are so awful on that tour, I'm hesitant.  

[elcuchio24]

34 minutes ago, Tapi said:

You welcome. Even though those are stock photos, those are all places and things that we experienced while at La Romana. Altos de Chavon, horseback riding in Casa de Campo, A beach day in Isla Saona. All wonderful memories. 

 

Just do your research, and have your activities planned out! Have a great time!

 

Thanks for posting. That Altos de Chavon looks interesting, did you book independent or with the cruise?

[Tapi]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

Port of Miami, Bayside, and South Beach are all very safe and lovely. We love the vibrant city of Miami, never felt threatened. 

Yet, my mother was mugged in broad daylight on the street in front of Bayside. Guy came out of nowhere, grabbed her purse, and when my mother resisted, the guy grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her against the sidewalk, fracturing her arm and cutting her head open. We all froze, and the guy was running before we reacted. 

 

When police and paramedics arrived, they informed us that unfortunately, there's a lot of crime just a few blocks west of Bayside that most tourists are oblivious to. We've been back to Bayside many times since, but with a much heightened level of alertness after our experience. 

[Tapi]

48 minutes ago, elcuchio24 said:

 

Thanks for posting. That Altos de Chavon looks interesting, did you book independent or with the cruise?

We took a shared van there. We were dropped off at the artist village with several shops selling loca artifacts. Do keep in mind that prices are inflated since its touristy and you can find almost the same exact items in downtown La Romana at a fraction of the price (Pius they are willing to negotiate). The views of the river from there are pretty impressive. 

 

Altos de Chavon also has a massive, outdoor theater, and if you time it right, you may catch a concert or other artistic production. 

 

Overall, we had a very relaxing afternoon! 

[Organized Chaos]

3 hours ago, elcuchio24 said:

Is that mutually exclusive, if its dangerous you cant like it? I like NYC, and Guatemala city too!

 

Was going to say the same thing...they are not mutually exclusive. You can acknowledge a place is dangerous, or certain areas within that place, and still enjoy being there in general.

 

Sure, I'd rather like all of the ports of call on an itinerary, but in the end, if I don't like one port on my cruise, I'm still on a cruise.

[Luckiestmanonearth]

Ask Big Papi (David Ortiz) if the Dominican Republic is safe

 

Thoughts and Prayers

[coevan]

love Big Poppy, but OH PLEASE 

[BlerkOne]

They will remove Miami first.

[Organized Chaos]

4 hours ago, Luckiestmanonearth said:

Ask Big Papi (David Ortiz) if the Dominican Republic is safe

 

Thoughts and Prayers

 

Sounds like a nickname for Orville Redenbacher. Big papi popping that big poppy popcorn.

[coevan]

14 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

They will remove Miami first.

 

 

Remove Miami from what?