Rare PATRLR Posted December 1, 2022 #1 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Our November 18 Encore stop in the DR was at Amber Cove. As we had a full day excursion booked to the Damajagua falls that was unaffected by the change in ports, we didn't investigate or pay attention to what other options were available to us. We barely even saw the shopping area as our excursion was late getting back. I've since learned that Carnival has a big pool area right next to the shopping area. My question is, is that area available to NCL guests when NCL stops there? Looks kind of nice but I suspect it's off-limits to non CCL lines as I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northwoodsmom Posted December 1, 2022 #2 Share Posted December 1, 2022 From what I've learned elsewhere, we are able to use the pool if we want to. Drinks are expensive. I just learned the Escape is docking in Amber Cove the week of 12/24, but I've also heard that is still up for debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroitlions Posted December 1, 2022 #3 Share Posted December 1, 2022 25 minutes ago, northwoodsmom said: From what I've learned elsewhere, we are able to use the pool if we want to. Drinks are expensive. I just learned the Escape is docking in Amber Cove the week of 12/24, but I've also heard that is still up for debate. The 24th-the 31st? I hope its not the week before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted December 1, 2022 Author #4 Share Posted December 1, 2022 12 minutes ago, detroitlions said: The 24th-the 31st? I hope its not the week before. According to Portmapper, Escape is scheduled for Amber Cove on the 19th and the 26th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroitlions Posted December 1, 2022 #5 Share Posted December 1, 2022 4 minutes ago, PATRLR said: According to Portmapper, Escape is scheduled for Amber Cove on the 19th and the 26th. So yea they are using this port for Porta Plata then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobeautifulgirls Posted December 1, 2022 #6 Share Posted December 1, 2022 How was the Falls excursion? How cold is the water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted December 1, 2022 #7 Share Posted December 1, 2022 3 hours ago, PATRLR said: Our November 18 Encore stop in the DR was at Amber Cove. As we had a full day excursion booked to the Damajagua falls that was unaffected by the change in ports, we didn't investigate or pay attention to what other options were available to us. We barely even saw the shopping area as our excursion was late getting back. I've since learned that Carnival has a big pool area right next to the shopping area. My question is, is that area available to NCL guests when NCL stops there? Looks kind of nice but I suspect it's off-limits to non CCL lines as I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about it. Yes, whatever cruise line is in port that day can use the facilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted December 1, 2022 #8 Share Posted December 1, 2022 3 hours ago, PATRLR said: According to Portmapper, Escape is scheduled for Amber Cove on the 19th and the 26th. Don't rely on that. NCL has Escape docking at Puerto Plata, which is not Amber Cove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted December 1, 2022 #9 Share Posted December 1, 2022 3 hours ago, detroitlions said: So yea they are using this port for Porta Plata then. No they are using a different port for Porta Plata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted December 1, 2022 Author #10 Share Posted December 1, 2022 6 minutes ago, zqvol said: Don't rely on that. NCL has Escape docking at Puerto Plata, which is not Amber Cove. NCL had Encore docking at Puerto Plata on November 18. Guess where it docked? Amber Cove. I knew it before we got on because I checked Portmapper. NCL didn't feel a need to tell us until we boarded, by way of a letter in our cabin. Sorry, I have more faith in Portmapper than I do NCL which is notoriously bad about communicating and being forthcoming with its guests. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted December 1, 2022 Author #11 Share Posted December 1, 2022 3 hours ago, detroitlions said: So yea they are using this port for Porta Plata then. 9 minutes ago, zqvol said: No they are using a different port for Porta Plata. @detroitlions - My money is on you docking at Amber Cove. Hopefully you'll remember to let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroitlions Posted December 2, 2022 #12 Share Posted December 2, 2022 17 hours ago, PATRLR said: @detroitlions - My money is on you docking at Amber Cove. Hopefully you'll remember to let us know. Your probably right I am not the best at the review stuff but I will post one with a summary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted December 2, 2022 #13 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Following this - interesting - with a bit of curiosity. Looking at Encore's live shipcam this morning/now, she is docked right next to the Carnival Horizon and furthermore, that's at Amber Cove ... at Porta Platta, DR (confused, which is what's listed ??? - doesn't specifically mention the Cove). Our "Getaway" next month has our last port stop at Porta Platta too, doesn't say Amber Cove - and starting to seriously look at shorex options. NCL's posted time for arrival & departure being shorter than what I'm seeing on Cruisemapper - with just 3 to 4 hours on land, might not be worthwhile to bother going ashore & just stay onboard. Maybe, hit concrete / pavement briefly for a couple of "hi, here's our stop & surroundings" photos and browse at the souvenir kiosks for visiting tourists, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgie Wedgie Posted December 2, 2022 #14 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Was on the Getaway last week in DR. Our itinerary just said, Puerto Plata and when we boarded there was the change letter to Amber Cove. We were the only ship there on 11/26 and many enjoyed the swim up pool bar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcollin Posted December 2, 2022 #15 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Hi, sorry not familiar with DR stops. What is the difference between Amber Cove and Puerto Plata. On Escape in March and it says Puerto Plata. Does it matter which when it comes to booking execusions? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erekosse Posted December 2, 2022 #16 Share Posted December 2, 2022 I'm on the Escape tomorrow. And, we are scheduled to port at Amber Cove in Puerto Plata on Monday. Here's the link to the Amber Cove schedule page: https://www.ambercove.com/Port-Schedule.aspx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted December 2, 2022 #17 Share Posted December 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, Erekosse said: I'm on the Escape tomorrow. And, we are scheduled to port at Amber Cove in Puerto Plata on Monday. Here's the link to the Amber Cove schedule page: https://www.ambercove.com/Port-Schedule.aspx Notice that after the first of the year no NCL ships dock at Amber Cove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weltek Posted December 2, 2022 #18 Share Posted December 2, 2022 For the people who are a bit confused: The two options in Puerto Plata are Taino Bay (closer to Downtown Puerto Plata) and Amber Cove. They are very near each other. I know Encore was supposed to originally be porting in Taino Bay this season, but after the spring grounding there (was it the Getaway?), it seems few NCL stops have been made there. I'm wondering if it's partly based on water levels. Anyway, all the Encore sailings since November have ported in Amber Cove. I know, I've looked at the webcam every Friday. Looking at different port schedule websites isn't very helpful, because there is conflicting info. I wonder if they've basically double booked both ports "just in case." Amber Cove disappoints me because I really wanted to be closer to downtown. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted December 2, 2022 #19 Share Posted December 2, 2022 59 minutes ago, weltek said: For the people who are a bit confused: The two options in Puerto Plata are Taino Bay (closer to Downtown Puerto Plata) and Amber Cove. They are very near each other. I know Encore was supposed to originally be porting in Taino Bay this season, but after the spring grounding there (was it the Getaway?), it seems few NCL stops have been made there. I'm wondering if it's partly based on water levels. Anyway, all the Encore sailings since November have ported in Amber Cove. I know, I've looked at the webcam every Friday. Looking at different port schedule websites isn't very helpful, because there is conflicting info. I wonder if they've basically double booked both ports "just in case." Amber Cove disappoints me because I really wanted to be closer to downtown. The Escape ran aground in Puerto Plata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingrandy Posted December 7, 2022 #20 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Just got NCL email. Epic leaving NYC Dec.16 is now docking Amber Cove instead of Puerto Plata on Dec.19. I don't like the change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weltek Posted December 7, 2022 #21 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Bummer. I think it's safe to assume Amber Cove is the default for NCL at least through the end of the year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrebel94 Posted December 8, 2022 #22 Share Posted December 8, 2022 On 12/1/2022 at 11:38 AM, twobeautifulgirls said: How was the Falls excursion? How cold is the water? The Falls excursion is pretty awesome. Everyone in our group were saying how much they loved it. We just did it last week. The water is not cold, but not warm. I was expecting it to be colder, but it was refreshing. The walk to the falls is a pretty good hike, so we we're ready to get wet. It was very crowded on the day we were there, so it took awhile to get through the excursion. We barely made it back to catch the ship. It took about 5 hours, so we got no shopping or port time in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewl Posted December 12, 2022 #23 Share Posted December 12, 2022 On 12/7/2022 at 1:38 PM, weltek said: Bummer. I think it's safe to assume Amber Cove is the default for NCL at least through the end of the year. Very interesting info.... it looks like the capacity for Amber Cove is two ships? We leave on the 12/18 Encore and are due to call in Puerto Plata on 12/21, but I see there are two Carnival ships already on the calendar for Amber Cove. Wondering if that means we skip the DR altogether... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
European_CruiseGirl Posted December 12, 2022 #24 Share Posted December 12, 2022 (edited) As far as I can tell both Amber Cove and Taino Bay are considered to be ”Puerto Plata” ports so I wouldn’t really expect NCL to tell me this in beforehand or apologize in some way for choosing one or another port facility. Although yes of course Taino Bay would seem to be nicer. Has NCL ever really advertized any cruise as going to Amber Cove instead of just talking about Puerto Plata town in general? They don’t specify Havensight or Crown Bay either at St Thomas, just calling the stop as Charlotte Amalie. I can see how the change of expected port facility within a port stop could potentially cause problems when booking own excursions. However I would assume (and have always assumed) that when I book with a local tour operator and tell them with which ship I come with on date xx they’ll know where to come and pick me up as they are locals and work in the tourist industry. Edited December 12, 2022 by European_CruiseGirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
European_CruiseGirl Posted December 12, 2022 #25 Share Posted December 12, 2022 (edited) 26 minutes ago, European_CruiseGirl said: I can see how the change of expected port facility within a port stop could potentially cause problems when booking own excursions. However I would assume (and have always assumed) that when I book with a local tour operator and tell them with which ship I come with on date xx they’ll know where to come and pick me up as they are locals and work in the tourist industry. Just to ad to my post (I took too long time to edit my post anymore): having worked for years in an incoming travel agency also serving cruiseline guests and doing shore excursions it is business as usual to follow into which port ships arrive. Changes are frequent and not a problem at all. If a change occurs we adjust ourselves so that wherever our booked guests arrive we are there 😊 And we make sure that the change means minimal to zero change for our guests tours. Port changes (and even airport changes) are indeed very usual and taken care of efficiently by tour operators 😊 Edited December 12, 2022 by European_CruiseGirl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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