8,000 cruise ship passengers to visit Dominica in one day
Dominica is poised for a robust tourism surge in January as it readies to receive a contingent of 8,000 cruise ship passengers on Monday.
The island is welcoming passengers from two cruise ships the MV AIDAdiva and the MSC Seaside. Both vessels are scheduled to dock at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth and Woodbridge Bay Port in Dominica, respectively, according to official statements.
MV AIDAdiva, built in 2007 and is sailing under the flag of Italy, boasts a passenger capacity of 3,256. While MSC Seaside, which was built in 2017 and is sailing under the flag of Malta, has the capability to accommodate up to 5,179 guests.
In the current cruise season of 2023/2024, Dominica joyfully announces the arrival of 100 cruise vessels, welcoming a total of 144,786 visitors. Among them, 102,640 disembarked to explore the island, with 58,309 taking part in organized tours.
Dominica, often dubbed the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean,” continues to capture attention as a captivating tourist destination, renowned for its natural beauty and diverse landscapes. Recognized by prominent travel magazines, the island has earned its place on coveted lists of must-visit locations, drawing acclaim for both its tourism offerings and commitment to sustainability.
Just recently, Domincia is one of the Caribbean islands that have been named by BBC Travel as one of the top sustainable destinations to travel in 2024.
Demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond tourism, Dominica is dedicated to improving the island’s overall quality of life. In the aftermath of Typhoon Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s government initiated resilient infrastructure projects in line with the “Build Back Better” philosophy.
Teaming up with private development company MMC Development Ltd., the government actively led the construction of 2,000 climate-resilient residential units, as well as a number of healthcare and educational facilities in the island. Most of them are funded by the Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, a government initiative that allows foreign individuals to obtain Dominican citizenship through a financial contribution to the country’s development fund or an investment in approved real estate projects.