Eight Carnival ships scheduled to call at new port Amber CoveEight Carnival ships scheduled to call at new port Amber Cove

Carnival Victory is due to arrive Oct. 6. The visit is the first of 37 calls by eight Carnival ships planned between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 100,000 passengers.

Amber Cove will be a featured port on select sailings of Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Victory from Miami, Carnival Conquest from Fort Lauderdale, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor from Port Canaveral and Carnival Fantasy from Charleston, S.C.

'Amber Cove is destined to become a cornerstone in creating new itineraries from several US homeports,' according to Carnival's Terry Thornton, svp itinerary planning. He said the destination will provide a diverse combination of ‘fun in the sun’ activities, ecotourism opportunities, sightseeing, dining and cultural experiences.

The port is situated in picturesque Maimón Bay, ringed by mountains and lush tropical landscape. Its cobblestone plazas will be lined with a wide variety of retail offerings, including themed restaurants and bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs, and recreational amenities. A large transportation center will give access to land and sea adventures.

The two-berth facility can accommodate a pair of post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously.

Amber Cove will provide an extensive shoreside program with beach and watersports opportunities and culinary, cultural and adventure options. The nearby Ocean World marine adventure park is another attraction.

Carnival said dozens of shore excursions will be available, from cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies that traverse the countryside and horseback riding on the beach to snorkeling and swimming in a pristine natural river pool. Cruisers can also travel via speedboat to Paradise Island for snorkeling and scuba diving, or visit rural coffee plantations and sample traditional Dominican cuisine, rum and seasonal fruit.

Private beachside bungalows with the services of a personal chef, bartender and staff can be reserved.

The historic town of Puerto Plata, named by Christopher Columbus when he arrived in 1492, is easily accessed from Amber Cove. Puerto Plata has the first fort built by European settlers in the New World.

The bustling downtown offers artist studios and rum and cigar factories. Visitors can stroll along the Malecón, a three-mile-long, open-air beachside boardwalk dotted with bars, restaurants and shops.