Cabo Rojo in the DR
We were the second.ahip to call at this new Dominican port, docking aboard the HAL dock Nieuw Amsterdam. Here's my take.
So here's my take on Cabo Rojo . . . Give it a year. While everyone is trying REALLY hard to make our call a successful visit, but it's clear the port just isn't ready yet.
Shops aren't open. Lots of construction. The small beach port is not open. None of the connecting infrastructure is ready.
Workers and officials were friendly and tried hard, with good efforts with free swag, free drinks and a massive fireworks show. But as a working "tourist-only port," there's a long way to go.
The best way to think of Cabo Rojo is to compare it to a new version Amber Cove. If you like these types of "fantasy" ports with no connection to actual towns, then Cabo Rojo eventually will be a good choice.
Today, Holland America has lots of dissatisfied cruisers on Nieuw Amsterdam who signed on for a stop in Turks and Caicos and, instead, were dumped on an unfinished port. (And our next port, Willemsted, also was substituted for Aruba). I'm on vacay on this cruise for relaxing and a Panama Canal transit, so not unhappy.
Our cruise director "pumped up" the port during his port talk yesterday. And little of what he said matched up with reality. The "small beach at the port" wasn't open. Thus, there also were no watersports as promised like kayaking and paddle boarding. There was a free shuttle to the nearby small town.
Next season, Cabo Rojo should be a good stop. But for now, go with low expectations and you won't be disappointed.
Or, stay on the ship and enjoy the spa specials.
Whatever, enjoy, you're on vacay!
