DOMINICA, (December 18, 2023)- Today, Monday, December 18th, 2023, Dominica
welcomes its ninth (9th) inaugural cruise call of the season. The MV AIDAmar, a prestigious
vessel from AIDA Cruises, has docked at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, bringing an influx of
two thousand six hundred and eighty-six (2,686) cruise passengers to the island’s shore. A plaque
exchange ceremony was held aboard the ship from 10:00 am to celebrate the ship’s maiden
voyage to the island. This occasion marks the first of three (3) calls that AIDAmar will make to
the island during the 2023/2024 cruise season.
The AIDAmar, an Icarus-class cruise ship, was meticulously built at Meyer Werft for AIDA
Cruises. She is the sixth (6th) ship in the sphinx series, preceded by her sister ships AIDAdiva,
AIDAbella, AIDAluna, AIDAblu, and AIDAsol, and followed by AIDAstella. AIDAmar was
delivered to the shipping company by Meyer Werft on May 3rd, 2012. She stretches an
impressive two hundred and fifty-three (253) meters in length and boasts a carrying capacity of
two thousand six hundred and eighty-six (2,686) passengers and six hundred and nine (609) crew
members.
Passengers of the MV AIDAmar are expected to immerse themselves in tours to the island’s
signature sites, which include the Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, and Mero Beach, and engage in
snorkeling and whale-watching tours, among other attractions.
For the 2023/2024 cruise season, two hundred and twenty-two (222) cruise calls are projected.
These calls will potentially introduce over three hundred and sixty thousand (360,000)
passengers to Dominica’s unique allure. Of these anticipated calls, thirteen (13) are expected to
be inaugural. As of December 5th, Dominica has already warmly received a total of thirty-five
(35) cruise calls. These ships have collectively brought a total of fifty-two thousand nine hundred
and eighty-six (52,986) passengers to the island, with forty thousand four hundred and thirty-one
(40,431) disembarking and twenty-two thousand three hundred and sixty-nine (22,369) engaging
in organized tours.
The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) is actively advocating for the cooperation of all
tourism stakeholders in ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable experience for cruise visitors
throughout the 2023/2024 cruise season. The Government of Dominica continues to invest
earnest efforts in promoting Dominica as a desirable cruise destination to increase cruise calls to
the island.
