Carnival returning to Dominica next year?

[shellster1]

In the (very little research) I've just done, it looks like CCL's 7-day cruise out of San Juan will once again be a 6 port stop, instead of 5: Looks like there are a few cruise dates listed next Spring/Summer that include Dominica!

This is such wonderful news! I remember my first week-long trip out of San Juan. We stopped here. It was an amazing port! I went to a black sand beach with my mom. Great food and drinks, unique little trinkets and souvenirs, and lovely locals who were always so gracious and more than willing to help and be of service to the tourists.

I remember of course thinking this was an impoverished country, but I feel like this is all the more reason to stop here!

It's gorgeous. There is so much to see and do, and the people are so genuine. I'm excited about this!

[riclop]

Not a big deal.

[coevan]

I agree with the OP, Dominica is a lovely island with very friendly people. Reminds me of St.Lucia, very lush tropical landscape with beautiful waterfalls.

[Organized Chaos]

Not a big deal.

Ah, another one of CC's kind & courteous users here to spread joy & happiness.

[BoDidly]

Another beautiful island with dangerous locals , I'll pass.

[flips7]

I agree one of the best ports we have ever been to. The cab drivers have to take classes about world affairs to be able to converse with travelers. The tour we took was the best one in our 17 cruises.

[coevan]

Dangerous locals are on every island. I lived in St.Thomas on and off for 2 years. I would not walk around parts of St.Thomas at night either. There are bad apples on all islands. As a sailor who has visited in most of the Caribbean islands, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. A cruise ship which is in port mostly daylight hours, you will be fine.

[BoDidly]

When our group went to the local market where we were not allowed to shop on our own in the town area without a "tourist guide ". And quote " just to dangerous " Of course we were expected to tip our newly found guide. :D I'm not saying excursions are not safe just some areas ,but in town in broad daylight with people everywhere ? :o No Thanks !

[Shake-n-Bake]

Dominica is a beautiful island and I had the greatest time with Sheppee Tours. It was a 5 hour tour and he showed us everywhere that was worth seeing. Truly was the best tour I've ever had. :)

[Stinger-pr]

I got an Email.from Carnival around a week and a half ago stating that my sailing now had Dominica added as a stop instead of a sea day (second day). Starting with the April 29 sailing through the August 19 sailing, the Fascination will be alternating sailings with a sea day with a sailing stopping in Dominica. Having been on this itinerary three times already (summer '18 being my fourth time) and since I always get off the ship and "do something" on all the stops, a sea day was more than welcome. While having a stop in an island we have not been to at all is a great bonus, I feel we're gonna need a vacation after our cruise!! Still, I'm eager to see what excursions and prices they post. This might be the one island we'd stay with a Carnival excursion. We'll see...

[luv2trvlnow]

I got an Email.from Carnival around a week and a half ago stating that my sailing now had Dominica added as a stop instead of a sea day (second day). Starting with the April 29 sailing through the August 19 sailing, the Fascination will be alternating sailings with a sea day with a sailing stopping in Dominica. Having been on this itinerary three times already (summer '18 being my fourth time) and since I always get off the ship and "do something" on all the stops, a sea day was more than welcome. While having a stop in an island we have not been to at all is a great bonus, I feel we're gonna need a vacation after our cruise!! Still, I'm eager to see what excursions and prices they post. This might be the one island we'd stay with a Carnival excursion. We'll see...

When we stopped in Dominica on the Splendor in 2014 we did a tour with Bumpiing Tours. Here is their website:

http://bumpiingtours.com/cruise-ship-visitors.html

 

We did the Roseau Valley Treasures. One of our best excursions ever.

[pe4all]

Dangerous locals are on every island. I lived in St.Thomas on and off for 2 years. I would not walk around parts of St.Thomas at night either. There are bad apples on all islands. As a sailor who has visited in most of the Caribbean islands, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Hate to say it, but same here on Long Island!! BTW - loved Dominica when we ported there.

[hannibal54]

I was in Dominica last month, I also went to a black sand beach. There were no threatening people that I saw, I enjoyed the island.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Bumpiing Tours is the best!! We had Levi as our tour guide and you will never find another tour guide who pays so much attention to you on your tour to make sure you are having a good time. Loved the snorkeling at Champange Reef!!

[VolzCruiser]

I have been to Dominica twice and have never run into any Dangerous People. I loved the island was just thinking a couple of week back if Carnival would start going back. Glad to hear they are going back. Once thing I would like to warn about it make sure you take Mosquito Repellent as they have been known to have a Chickamauga outbreak from time to time.

[evandbob]

I've been to Dominica 5 or 6 times, Champagne Snorkel, Black sand beaches, Titou Gorge and sulpher springs, and river rafting were some of my fun excursions.Always enjoyed myself. Many of the scenes in the 1st Pirates of the Caribbean movie were filmed here.

 

It's nice to get to a less frequented isle. Maybe Guadaloupe one day? Only been to Martinique twice. A Journeys 10 or 14 day cruise could cover some of these ports that Carnival rarely goes to now.

[jma624]

I went to Dominica on my 2013 repo Cruise. The thing I remember most was this little boy about ten years old. I think he was the son of one of the vendors on the beach. He was so excited to see a Carnival ship back in Port. He showed us his collection of Carnival model ships. He was very sweet. I hope for his sake this is true.

[pghsteelerfan]

We were in Dominica in 1992 on our honeymoon cruise. I thought it was beautiful, but I only had a film camera and one roll of film to use in Dominica, so I need a redo (would also love to get back to Martinique...also just gorgeous). Carnival has been rubbing me the wrong way lately with some of their recent changes, but I did see where they added Dominica in place of the sea day on some of Fascination's itineraries. That would be one cruise that I would consider doing on Carnival, with Carnival being "transportation". I would love a cruise with 6 ports on a 7 day itinerary. The itineraries out of San Juan are my absolute favorites. I'd love to see an alternating itinerary out of San Juan, keeping the current but alternating with another itinerary that went to some of the other islands (St. Croix, Tortola, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Grenada).

[Kfoot]

Another beautiful island with dangerous locals , I'll pass.

 

US is a beautiful country with dangerous locals. Be aware in some places even in daylight.

Went to Dominica in 2014 on the Splendor repositioning cruise. It's really a beautiful island. Got me some nutmeg and lovely souvenirs.

[BoDidly]

US is a beautiful country with dangerous locals. Be aware in some places even in daylight.

Went to Dominica in 2014 on the Splendor repositioning cruise. It's really a beautiful island. Got me some nutmeg and lovely souvenirs.

Like I said the tour guide even stated it's just too dangerous in town during daylight .Why else were they asking people not go without a tour guide ? Who knows maybe its its safer if you have to pay a tour guide to escort your group $$ ? All these responses saying it's safe I'm happy for you ,all I can say is what happen with our group. If you think it's safe in town GO FOR IT ! ;p

[shellster1]

I went to Dominica on my 2013 repo Cruise. The thing I remember most was this little boy about ten years old. I think he was the son of one of the vendors on the beach. He was so excited to see a Carnival ship back in Port. He showed us his collection of Carnival model ships. He was very sweet. I hope for his sake this is true.

 

Aww, thanks for sharing! What an awesome memory that must be for you! :)

[shellster1]

I've been to Dominica 5 or 6 times, Champagne Snorkel, Black sand beaches, Titou Gorge and sulpher springs, and river rafting were some of my fun excursions.Always enjoyed myself. Many of the scenes in the 1st Pirates of the Caribbean movie were filmed here.

 

It's nice to get to a less frequented isle. Maybe Guadaloupe one day? Only been to Martinique twice. A Journeys 10 or 14 day cruise could cover some of these ports that Carnival rarely goes to now.

 

Wow, those sound like amazing experiences! I agree 100%: I would love to stop at the less visited islands. I've heard great things about Martinique, Guadeloupe, The Grenadines, and others. Perhaps some islands are too small? Not enough to offer cruisers? I don't know..but I sure would love to go exploring some day.

[coevan]

Like I said the tour guide even stated it's just too dangerous in town during daylight .Why else were they asking people not go without a tour guide ? Who knows maybe its its safer if you have to pay a tour guide to escort your group $$ ? All these responses saying it's safe I'm happy for you ,all I can say is what happen with our group. If you think it's safe in town GO FOR IT ! ;p

 

 

I anchored my 40' sailboat in Dominica for a week. I have never heard anything about what you're saying about Dominica. Maybe the tour guide just wanted your business so he scared you. The "cruisers net" which talks about what's going on in the islands does not list Dominica as a dangerous island. St Vincent and the Grenadines definitely has a reputation. BTW, what "town" are you talking about?

[Stinger-pr]

We were in Dominica in 1992 on our honeymoon cruise. I thought it was beautiful, but I only had a film camera and one roll of film to use in Dominica, so I need a redo (would also love to get back to Martinique...also just gorgeous). Carnival has been rubbing me the wrong way lately with some of their recent changes, but I did see where they added Dominica in place of the sea day on some of Fascination's itineraries. That would be one cruise that I would consider doing on Carnival, with Carnival being "transportation". I would love a cruise with 6 ports on a 7 day itinerary. The itineraries out of San Juan are my absolute favorites. I'd love to see an alternating itinerary out of San Juan, keeping the current but alternating with another itinerary that went to some of the other islands (St. Croix, Tortola, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Grenada).

If for some reason you feel the summer of 2018 is a good time for your redo of Dominica, we're on the Jul. 22 sailing. Just FYI....LOL!!

 

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[tlw440]

Great island. We visited in 2013 on a reposition cruise, the Conquest 8 day from San Juan to Miami. One of most beautiful islands that we have visited. The locals were friendly and very appreciative of Carnival's visit. Would love to visit it again someday.