Greetings from the sunny shores of the Dominican Republic! The 2,000 of us aboard the Norwegian Sky have just arrived at our first port of call on this thrilling 9-day Caribbean cruise. After setting sail from Miami on Tuesday, we spent a relaxing day at sea before docking at the picturesque Taino Bay Cruise Port in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
It’s crucial to differentiate Taino Bay from Amber Cove. While they are geographically close, they are distinct ports. Many cruise and travel websites might list visits to either as “Puerto Plata/Amber Cove,” leading to some confusion. Amber Cove is a Carnival-built and owned port visited by several of their brands. If your cruise stops there, the activities are limited to a few shops and a pool area. There’s no beach at the port or nearby, which can be a bit of a letdown for those hoping for some sun and sand.
For those who enjoy exploring beyond the port area, Amber Cove might be disappointing since there’s no walkable area to venture into. You’re essentially confined to the port unless you book a shore excursion, which might not appeal to all travelers.
Taino Bay, in contrast, is not owned by any cruise line and is a relatively new port, having opened in 2021. Multiple cruise lines make a stop here. As soon as you disembark the ship, you’re greeted by a welcoming area where tours convene, and additional shore excursions are offered. After passing through the duty-free shops, you can enjoy the wide array of amenities the port has to offer.
Taino Bay is a shopper’s paradise, with dozens of small and large shops offering everything you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for T-shirts, cigars, or even a quirky fish pedicure, you’ll find it here. The shopkeepers are generally non-intrusive, allowing you to browse and enjoy your shopping experience at your own pace.
If you’re hungry, Taino Bay doesn’t disappoint. There are several restaurants, bars, and kiosks offering a variety of foods, from Mexican cuisine to hot dogs, burgers, and cold drinks. The food options cater to all tastes, ensuring you’ll find something delicious to munch on as you explore.
The main attraction at Taino Bay is undoubtedly the pool and lazy river, both free to use. In addition to standard lounge chairs, there are day beds and hammocks available on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun.
For those who enjoy walking and exploring, the port’s location in the historic district of Puerto Plata is ideal. Just a short walk away is Fort San Felipe, a must-visit for history buffs. You can explore approximately 16 blocks of streets lined with unique shops, inviting restaurants, and numerous photo opportunities, including the famous Umbrella Street and various historical buildings.
Be prepared for some persistent locals as you exit the port. Independent tour operators, taxi drivers, and even some less savory characters might approach you, trying to sell various services. A firm “no” should suffice to deter them.
While the Dominican Republic isn’t known for its safety, staying close to the port should be fine during the day. However, it’s best to avoid wandering around after dark. Always stick together as a group and steer clear of isolated areas to ensure your safety.
Take a Video Tour of the Taino Bay Cruise Port
Onboard Observations and Tips
Showers: One notable feature of the Norwegian Sky is the impressive water pressure in the showers, almost akin to a car wash. However, be cautious with the temperature—the water gets exceptionally hot, even on the cold setting.
Medication: If you need over-the-counter meds, vending machines are conveniently available. With a tap of your room key, you can get what you need, with the charge added to your bill.
NCL App: The onboard app, while useful, is somewhat clunky. One significant drawback is the absence of the main dining room menu. To see what’s for dinner, you must visit Deck 5 and check the menu posted outside the restaurant.
Alcohol for Young Adults: Norwegian allows parents to sign an alcohol waiver for their 18-20-year-olds, enabling them to drink beer and wine. Whether this is good or bad is up to individual discretion, but it’s an option for those between 18-21.
The evening kicked off with the 5 PM game show, Wheel of Fortune, hosted by the cruise director. For $25, attendees could play along, win prizes, and potentially become a contestant. It was a fun and engaging way to spend half an hour, with the winner taking home over $700. They also have the game show, Deal or No Deal, which seems to have made its way onto just about every cruise ship and will be played on Day 4.
After the game show, I explored the dinner menu and checked out the buffet offerings. The buffet features a small but nice selection of entrées, salads, and a carving station. Despite it being dinner time, the buffet hasn’t been crowded, which is a pleasant surprise.
For more casual dining, The Local pub serves wings, burgers, fish and chips, and other bar food until 3 AM. The wings were particularly good—plump, smoky, and served hot. All the food at The Local is included at no additional charge.
For dinner, I dined in the main dining room, starting with tender Asian spareribs and a vegetable summer roll. The BBQ Mixed Grill followed, featuring pork ribs, BBQ chicken, bratwurst, fries, and broccoli. The ribs and chicken were flavorful, though the bratwurst was a bit dry. Dessert was bananas foster, which was decent.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t the best of the three meals I’ve had in the main dining room, with the first night’s being the best.
As the evening progressed, the seas became rough, and whoopsie bags were placed at stairwells. Some passengers looked a bit queasy as they moved around the ship.
I ended the night with a visit to the Spinnaker Lounge for a nightcap, only to find karaoke in full swing. Let’s just say none of the singers will be on America’s Got Talent anytime soon. If the Gong Show were still on television, they would fit right in.
We’re now sailing towards our next port of call, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where we are scheduled to arrive at 10 AM for a full day in port until 7 PM. As always, thanks for following along on this adventure! Stay tuned for more updates from our Caribbean journey.
Norwegian Sky Daily Programs
The daily programs can be viewed or downloaded in PDF format by clicking on each below.
Personal Day-By-Day Norwegian Sky Cruise Review: