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Amber Cove, Ensenada each hosted 1m cruisers in 2023

Carnival Cruise Line's full ships played a pivotal role in helping Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Ensenada, Mexico each cross the 1m cruisers in a year threshold as they closed out 2023.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

January 4, 2024

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Each destination celebrated in late December by recognizing the one millionth visitor as passengers and their families arrived at each port.

At Amber Cove, the Collier family were the special guests, visiting from Mardi Gras on Dec. 20. The Andrus family, who arrived in Ensenada aboard Carnival Radiance on Dec. 27, marked the special milestone. In each destination, local dignitaries, ship leaders and other cruisers marked the occasion.

The destinations' allure

'We’re delighted that our guests set these important distinctions for both Amber Cove and Ensenada,' Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said. 'Amber Cove is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean. Our guests love the relaxation and adventure they find here and that’s why many of our ships visit Amber Cove.

'Likewise, Ensenada is a quaint coastal town that has grown into a strong part of our West Coast offerings. Our guests love its rich history and vibrant culture, with the addition of Carnival Firenze joining our fleet this spring, plus some exciting plans under development, we see even better things ahead for the destination.'

Amber Cove opened in 2015

Amber Cove, located on Dominican Republic's northern coast just outside Puerto Plata, welcomed its first Carnival ship in 2015. Operated by Carnival Corp. & plc, the cruiser port features pools, bars and many shore excursions such as snorkeling and a waterfall adventure.

The 1m milestone 'represents unstoppable growth for Puerto Plata and its people who directly receive the benefits of these achievements,' Dominican Republic Tourism Minister David Collado said.

Three decades of Fun Ships at Ensenada

Carnival has sailed to Ensenada for nearly three decades. It offers historical sightseeing, ATV rides, seafood restaurants and wine country visits.

'This achievement is the result of the efforts of the Ensenada Cruise Committee, as well as the Ensenada City Council, the Ensenada National Port System Administration and Hutchison Ports, and commits us to continue working for Ensenada to consolidate itself as a leading cruise destination in Mexico,' Baja California Tourism Secretary Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez said.

Carnival sails to Ensenada from San Francisco seasonally and year-round from Long Beach, California, where Carnival Firenze will soon add more options with four-day cruises visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, as well as five-day Mexican Riviera cruises calling at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Carnival Firenze will join the fleet in April, sailing from Long Beach as the second ship to showcase 'Carnival Fun Italian Style.'

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About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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