Why is Carnival even stopping here?

[cruisingadoptionworker]

It seems to me all of the recent reviews of the Destiny, that there is not a whole lot of positive stuff to say about this island. Over and over again I read "it's dirty" "it's poor" "it's dangerous." Now having been to many different third world ports, I recognize that every body has a different tolerance level to dirt, poverty, and danger. That being said, with CCL's Destiny only recently adding La romana to the itinerary, and there already being several and multiple reports of muggings, and harm coming to tourists, I really question the appropriateness of visiting there.

 

It actually sounds like a sucky way to end a really great vacation.

[doxiegal]

I agree, there has been alot of negative stuff said about La Romana. Hopefully, this is just isolated events. Back in the day, when my hubby and I started traveling to Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas & Dom. Republic. Everyone said, don't leave your hotel area, don't talk to locals, don't rent cars etc..... they had us scared out of our pants. Well, common sense, a friendly attitude and being street smart. We have never had an incident in any of the countries we have visited. Yeah, maybe we have been short changed a couple pesos here and there for purchases, but heck that happens here in Wisconsin all the time. We have always traveled with our kids from the time they were babies and they have been exposed to all kinds of people. We travel with an open mind to different cultures and lifestyles and have grown all the richer. When my hubby and I first visited the DR, we knew it was a very poor country, we met many warm and friendly locals when we were there, and never felt scared or uneasy. The interior of the island is just spectacular, reminds me of Hawaii. Too bad we are not there for two full days. Because there are many tours that would take you into the interior and show you what this island really is like. I am not expecting much in La Romana, it is a very poor and depressed area. Not as touristy as the Punta Cana area. And being a new port, does not have alot of excursions available. But I will make the best of it, because I know it truly is a beautiful island. And will return next year, for a volunteer/working vacation. And hopefully all this mugging and negative stuff will end. These people need these boats to stop there, we are their economy. If we don't get off the boat, then we don't spend money there. So I am assuming they will beef up the police near the port area.

We will see next week when the cruisers right now on Destiny post their reviews. Hopefully, they will be better. See ya in a week in a half!!

[63Corvette]

I was there last week on the Destiny. They are working on several new buildings near the dock, and have a nice terminal for shuttle busses and tour operators to operate from, but outside of that, they have a long way to go. They definately need to provide security - we walked into town (1 mile) with several other couples, and was pretty unsure of what we had gotten ourselves into. Once on the main road it wasn't bad, but the street vendors (selling beads or Cigars) were pretty bold. And kids on bicycles riding in circles around us - slapping at bags and purses as they went past was a little much. It is a beautiful looking place, but the local government has to get some control over it, or it will never be a preferred stopping place. The port can only handle one cruise ship at a time, and I didn't see any equipment to handle shuttling of people from an anchored ship. We were told by the cruise director that they had several incidents during past stops and recommended only cruise sponsored tours (we thought this was a ploy to have us purchase through Carnival). I think that Carnival has recently pulled this stop from the So. Caribbean route beginning in March (it was supposed to be part of the stops during all of 2008). I have no desire to go back. I did enjoy the Catamaran/Snorkle tour we went on to Catalina Island on Saturday morning.

[shorties]

We are on the last cruise to stop there on March 1st and 2nd. It WOULD NOT hurt my feeling if they rerouted us to St Maarten, Antigua or some other island that wants us and will not tolerate local thugs bothering the cruise ship passengers. Maybe Carnival needs to give La Romana a few years to get their act together. Next year, I'll be more careful in selecting my cruise itinerary and just might choose another cruise line.

[cruisingadoptionworker]

I'm sailing there next week, so I will make sure to comment when I get back. I tell yah, the comment about being circled by the kids, while they were hitting your purse, is really freaky!

 

I remember once in Roatan, I was backed in the corner by about 7 or 8 six and seven year old boys, and they too were clawing at my bag. So sad, but also a little scary when your surrounded by so many kids. Your really not sure what's going to happen.

[doxiegal]

Lets hope things there get better. I was really looking forward to stopping there. Hopefully, there will be more security out around the port area and downtown La Romana. We will not be wearing any jewelry, or carrying purses or large amounts of money with us ( we don't in other ports). I have some friends there, that I am meeting with on Friday. Maybe, they can refer a reputable driver for us. Or warn us as to what places to stay away from.

[doxiegal]

Lets hope things there get better. I was really looking forward to stopping there. Hopefully, there will be more security out around the port area and downtown La Romana. We will not be wearing any jewelry, or carrying purses or large amounts of money with us ( we don't in other ports). I have some friends there, that I am meeting with on Friday. Maybe, they can refer a reputable driver for us. Or warn us as to what places to stay away from.

[swtpnk]

We were in Samana a couple of weeks ago. we (4 of us) walked to 'town' so to speak. shopping was extremely expensive, purchased nothing. there were very nice shops a short walk away, half mile maybe. very nicely landscaped, white picket fences, nice grass, clean, but, next to that, it was bad again. its strictly a place for tourists. then walked back to the ship after a few nice pics of the water and trees. yes, as we walked, children wanted to shine shoes, sell shells, etc, but what I said to them was, Por Favor NO. said that 2 times, and they immediately left us alone. thought Id try it, it worked. but it was on a sunday also, not many island people around. it was a very quiet day there. NEXT time id book something through the ship for an excursion. NOT go on our own. we should have taken the advice of others on CC. just dont go unless on an excursion. enjoy the ship that day. wish we would have. although we were only on land about 1 1/2 hrs total. we did experience the sad surroundings.

you will have a good cruise! :) enjoy!!

[cruisegirl29]

Hi,

 

I was in La Romana off the Destiny 2 wks ago. We took a taxi to Casa De Compo without any issues & walked into La Romana again without any issues. Didn't have any kids on bikes bothering us at all. Just a couple of young boys asking for $1.00. We just kept saying NO.

 

At the park where the vendors are they were not too pushy. you just have to learn to say "No Thank you". It reminded me of the 1st time I went to Jamica.

 

 

Just be smart, leave your valuables on the ship & take little money with you. Stay on the route that the map suggests and hopefully you won't have any problems.

 

Also, form your own opinions. Unless you've been mugged personally there than how true are all these reports? I'm sure there are incidents but just form your own conclusions......

 

If your worried, then just take a Carnival excursion.

 

I'm glad we stopped here, it was interesting to see another side of the world.

 

Happy Sailing & Stay Safe!

Sue

[doxiegal]

Thanks for your review. We (group of 6) will be there next week. And are planning on doing our own excursion. Hopefully, we will not have a problem. We have been to the DR before, and have found the people there to be friendly and helpful, just very poor. Hopefully the negative stuff, I am hearing, is just isolated events. I will post a review when we get back. Can't wait, only one week left before, we are on the ship.

[TennisLover]

Because of all we've read, I just booked a Carnival excursion for this port. Only port where we are not doing our own thing. Should be fine....

[cruzinmecrazy]

We went out of Santo Domingo DR this past January. It was very dirty, and poor. The hotel, Intercontinental, was nice for the area. We went down to the Shopping area and felt very safe. However, we were warned to be careful that we may have trouble, but we didn't. We also took a taxi to Christopher Columbus's home and ate at Pata Palo restaraunt. It was good food and the people were nice.

[cruisingadoptionworker]

This is what I posted in my review:

 

La Romana, D.R.- Well this is the place that surprised me. It had lots of bad press, which I think is well deserved, but I am still glad I went and looked. I got off the boat, and walked to where the shuttles are and for five dollars you get a return trip to the craft market in downtown La Romana. At first the pier is quite deceiving in that it looks like all the other islands- pretty, landscaped, safe. But once you leave, you quickly realize this isn’t Kansas anymore. We arrived at the craft market and told that we have to catch the bus in another location about five blocks away. Of course this caused some anxiety and confusion. Prices at the market were very good, but there are so many people tugging at you that it is very overwhelming. Twice I had people take my six year old and lead him away to look at their goods! I almost had a freaking heart attack. My eleven year old, who is well traveled, almost started crying about how aggressive they were. We quickly left, and one of the buses tour guides, walked us over to the bus stop which is kiddy corner to the Jumbo. The escort was very nice as it made me feel safer, and there is police presence everywhere, but it is still nerve wracking. If you can make it to Jumbo, GO! I bought coffee, rum, vanilla, hot sauce, Dominican candy, and a bunch of other stuff. It was all under 30 dollars, and was an amazing deal. We then headed straight back to the boat.

On Saturday we opted to stay on the boat the entire day. We had it to ourselves, and the weather was lovely and I saved a fortune and had just as good of a time. Actually better. It is such a busy cruise, that it was nice to just have a sea day.

**********************************************************

My advice is if you do go it alone, go with the crowds, and be safe.

[mikeandjudy]

We were in Samana a couple of weeks ago. we (4 of us) walked to 'town' so to speak. shopping was extremely expensive, purchased nothing. there were very nice shops a short walk away, half mile maybe. very nicely landscaped, white picket fences, nice grass, clean, but, next to that, it was bad again. its strictly a place for tourists. then walked back to the ship after a few nice pics of the water and trees. yes, as we walked, children wanted to shine shoes, sell shells, etc, but what I said to them was, Por Favor NO. said that 2 times, and they immediately left us alone. thought Id try it, it worked. but it was on a sunday also, not many island people around. it was a very quiet day there. NEXT time id book something through the ship for an excursion. NOT go on our own. we should have taken the advice of others on CC. just dont go unless on an excursion. enjoy the ship that day. wish we would have. although we were only on land about 1 1/2 hrs total. we did experience the sad surroundings.

you will have a good cruise! :) enjoy!!

Wow you must have been in a different samana than my wife and I, We were just there 2/12/08 and all i can say is that it is a lovely island but to bad the locals dont take better care of it. Litter and trash laying all over all the way from the dock to the town. i have a great idea for them clean your island up a little and maybe the tourist will start spending some money there!

[judcost]

I guess people complaning about La ROmana didn't planned there vacation correctly. We were there for 2 days, afeter reading this review I was getting scared to go to La Romana but was so suprised in a good way. We arrived there aroud 4-5pm we went downtown La Romana, yes the vendors are a bit aggressive with there sells but just avoid them if you don't plan to buy. We walk to the Jumbo store, you can see the locals were poor, but didn't you know before you got there ?!?!?!?!? After Jumbo we got back to the boat by shuttle bus (very well organized and only 5$ round trip). We went to Casa de Campo to catch the Kandelà show, we got there about an hour earlier to grab a bite there. Hmmm very good but not really authentic food. Great show. the next day we went to Bayahibe beach. My only suggestions is to take the shuttle bus from the pier, I wouldn't try to be adventurous and grab a cab from downtown or anywhere else.

 

If question:

 

judcost@hotmail.com

[fred20036]

I was on the Zaandam Christmas cruise back in 2005, which stopped in La Romana. A group of passengers hired a cab to go to a beach two hours away, and they pre-paid the taxi. Big mistake. The taxi never came back to pick them up. A Dominican family took pity on them and rushed them back, breaking all kinds of speed limits, so they could make the ship on time. Bottom line: this stop is risky, but Dominicans can be kind and compassionate. Also, this is not a good port of call. It is not close to anything that you might find interesting or safe. If you are not taking a cruise-sponsored tour, just spend the day in the ship. One last thing: be sure that you have travel insurance.