Santo Domingo Cruises, Dominican Republic
This Caribbean capital is a place of firsts. It’s home to the oldest university in the western hemisphere, along with the first hospital and monastery. They’re all tucked within the Zona Colonial – Santo Domingo’s historic heart. Here, cobblestone streets weave around 16th-century churches and down to the pretty, oceanfront Malecon. History aside, it’s still a modern metropolis with some of the country’s best eateries, boutiques and nightclubs.
- Wander the tapestry-draped corridors and open-air galleries of the Alcázar de Colón – a grand, Renaissance-style castle built by Christopher Columbus’ son, Diego, in the 16th century.
- Explore the city’s natural side with a visit to Los Tres Ojos. These three limestone caves conceal bright-turquoise lagoons. And they’ve been the setting for a load of Tarzan movies, too.
- At 200 acres, Santo Domingo’s botanical gardens are the biggest in the Caribbean. As well as orchids, palms and native plants, there’s a perfectly manicured Japanese garden with a pagoda and brook.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Half beach day
Today’s destination is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular beaches – Boca Chica. Thanks to a protective coral reef, this white-sand stretch shelves gently into the water, giving it the feel of a natural tropical pool. When you arrive, you’ll head to the Bocana restaurant for a welcome drink, and from then on it’s up to you. You’ll have three hours at the beach, where you can stretch out and relax, take to the shade under a palm tree, and grab light bites from one of the cafés which line the sand. As an added bonus, on your route from ship to sand, you’ll pass by three of the island’s historical sites – the Columbus Lighthouse, the National Aquarium and the Three Eyes Caves.

Panoramic walking colonial zone and half beach day
There’s no need to decide between the city and the beach on this trip, which teams historic sites with white sand. You’ll start off with a tour of the Alcazar de Colon and the Plaza Espana – they’re part of the Ciudad Colonial, the oldest permanent European settlement in America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, stroll to the impressive Royal Houses and the National Pantheon, which both date back to the 16th century. You’ll also swing by Calle Las Damas – AKA Ladies Street – and visit the gold-tinted Cathedral de Santa Maria la Menor. With the historical part of the day wrapped up, it’s time to make tracks to Boca Chica beach for lunch, and three hours of sunbathing and swimming.

Kahkow chocolate lab
Chocoholics will be in their element on this trip. You’ll make a beeline for Kahkow, a chocolate laboratory in the heart of Santo Domingo. First up is an audio guided tour in a holographic theatre, which’ll almost have you feeling like you’re out in the fields harvesting cacao beans yourself. Moving into the sensory lab, there’ll be a chance to taste the ingredients – like cacao liquor and vanilla essence, along with more secret parts of the recipe – before you have a go at making your own chocolate. You’ll also have the chance to experience the second part of Kahkow – the soap lab. Learn the steps of soap-making, and have a go at creating your own soap to take home.