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Originally populated by the Carib tribe of Indians, the island gets its name from Christopher Columbus, who first spotted the land in 1493 on a Sunday. (Domenica means "Sunday" in Italian.) In the 1800's, the French and British fought for control of the island. If you glance at a map of Dominica, it's clear by the town names that the French populated the South (Roseau, Soufriere), while the British occupied the North (Portsmouth).
Roseau Botanic Gardens
Cruise visitors will need a taxi, rental car or excursion bus to get there. Dominica cruise port, in the little capital city of Roseau, is one of my favourite ports in the Caribbean. The city is compact but beautiful, the people are super friendly, and whether you stick to the city limits or head out to explore the incredible nature of this island, there is so much to see and do. Once off the ship, head inland to visit the island's impressive national parks or into the water to spot plentiful sea life. Dominica ranks as one of the top sites for scuba-diving in the Caribbean.
Roseau
Dominica cruise port is right in the centre of Roseau, the capital city. It’s a scenic spot, with the colourful houses of the city directly in front of the pier, and a stunning mountainous backdrop directly behind that. You can walk directly from the ship to the city in mere minutes, and there are always plenty of taxis waiting at the end of the pier, as well as a collection of little souvenir stalls along the waterfront. Roseau, Dominica is one of the Caribbean's most scenic and diverse cruise destinations.
Top Dominica Tourist Attractions
The cost for such a guided, multi-stop tour will range around $125 to $150. Tubing on the Layou River is a way for the whole family to enjoy Dominica’s beautiful scenery. Visitors can hire them through their cruise line or directly right along the cruise port. The cost is about $50 to $75 per person depending on the sailing date and other factors.
Instead, it is dense with rainforests, waterfalls and tropical plants and animals. For an idea of what to expect, watch the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, which was filmed on part on the island. The Dominica cruise port of Roseau is modest by Caribbean standards, but it also is a gateway to one of the region’s best ecotourism islands. Traveling to Dominica is not as easy as traveling to other Caribbean islands in the region. Due to the rugged, volcanic nature of the island – which is the main reason many people visit!
Night Caribbean - Eastern CruiseDetails
After meeting your local representative at the pier area, take a scenic and panoramic drive for approximately 30 minutes to your host's home in the mountains. You will be introduced to local fruit, vegetables, and concoctions made by the chef. Roll up your sleeves and learn to cook 3-4, authentic and seasonal Creole dishes that the host has put her own creative twist on during your exclusive, small group hands-on cooking class. Mero Beach – Located halfway between Roseau and Portsmouth, this popular beach is located near to a few shops and bars, making it an ideal way to spend the afternoon. You will be able to find American and Continental cuisine on most of the menus in Roseau if that is what you prefer, but the restaurants in Roseau usually have a specialty or daily special dish to try.
Always travel safely though, be careful of your belongings, especially on public transport, and in the rainy season, be careful in the mountains and on the roads. Locals in the city and outside are all very friendly and welcoming, as there is an increasing reliance on tourism in the economy. It’s also possible to arrive on the somewhat frequent ferries from neighboring Martinique and Guadeloupe, or of course, as is common in the Caribbean, via cruise ship.
Diving in Dominica cruise port
7 things I did right (and 3 mistakes) on my recent cruise ship port day - Royal Caribbean Blog
7 things I did right (and 3 mistakes) on my recent cruise ship port day.
Posted: Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruisers visiting the island for only a day should plan on activities much different than most Caribbean islands. Eventually, the British conquered the French portion of the island and maintained control until 1978, when Dominica gained independence. The island still has a Carib population of about 3,000; they occupy a northeastern corner of the island.
Dominica’s old market in Roseau is an incredibly historic place. This was one of the major trading markets in the Caribbean, and unfortunately, was primarily used a slave-trading market for centuries. With ramshackle streets that were first laid down in the colonial days, museums and old markets to explore.
The lower falls, called Mother, flows from the river into a natural swimming pool. Know that you will have to climb over boulders in spots and the area can be slippery. Roseau’s downtown is quite compact, walkable and close to the cruise pier. If you are wanting to get outside of the downtown area and explore the rest of the beautiful island, car rental and taxis are the most common. Welcome to Roseau, the capital of Dominica, known as the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean." Explore the lush rainforests, hike to majestic waterfalls, or take a dip in natural hot springs.
The other pier is at the Port of Woodbridge Bay which is used less often and is a mile north of the city. The Portmouth Cruise Ship facility on the northwestern tip of the island is where smaller ships dock. Roseau Cruise Ship Berth is located in the heart of downtown Roseau and is within walking distance to shops, restaurants and attractions. Port Roseau (locode DMRSU) is Dominica's main port for foreign shipping trade, with exports including Bay Tree essential oil, vegetables, fruits (bananas, oranges, grapefruit), cocoa. The country's economy is also heavily dependent on tourism and the service sector.
The top-luxury Resort Kempinski in Cabrits Dominica is located along Douglas Bay beach and is surrounded by the National Park. Inaugurated in 2015, Resort Kempinski is the Cabrits' first approved by the Dominican government real estate project. It started with a minimum investment requirement of USD 220,000 per investor / business entity. This tour takes you to Champagne Beach, then on to Scott’s Head, another downright superb snorkelling spot- where sea turtles are often seen. There’s no official entrance fee for Titou Gorge, however if you’re visiting on your own you will have to pay to hire a life vest (which is mandatory).
With its lush natural beauty and vibrant culture, Roseau is an ideal cruise destination for those looking to explore the Caribbean. Unlike some bigger islands, Dominica doesn’t have a cruise terminal or elaborate outdoor mall that visitors walk through to reach the tourism district. Instead, they walk right off their ships and into the city of Roseau for a limited amount of shopping, restaurants and excursion operators. They will find a smaller district than other major ports, but it is colorful and growing. Portsmouth, Dominica is a popular cruise destination for its stunning natural beauty and unique Caribbean culture. The town of Portsmouth is located on the island’s northwest coast, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Prince Rupert Bay.
