Cruises to La Romana (Casa de Campo)

Casa de Campo is the main event, but you'll have to take a cab or shuttle bus to get there. There are really no facilities in the immediate vicinity of the dock.

The Dominican Republic has a reputation for crime. Always be aware of your surroundings, stay in groups, and don't venture to out-of-the-way places when not on an organized tour or with a reputable guide. As a general rule, leave all jewelry and valuables onboard in your cabin safe, and carry only as much cash as you think you'll need. We recommend a money belt to keep your cash and room key safe while you're ashore.

Also be sure to pack bug spray; you won't have much of a problem outdoors, but you might use some restroom facilities (particularly if you're headed to the beach) without air-conditioning, making them perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes -- and they're vicious.

By Shuttle: Major attractions -- in particular, Casa de Campo -- are not accessible on foot. Cruise lines often organize shuttle transportation from the ship to the resort; typically, shuttles take travelers on a 15-minute ride to either the Marina or Altos de Chavon sections. The shuttles run every 30 minutes.



By Taxi: Taxis line up at the dock. To travel the 6-kilometer distance to Casa de Campo, plan to negotiate cab fare before you get in; haggling is OK.



Renting a Car: Travelers must take a taxi or shuttle to Casa de Campo's main area, where there is a National Car Rental agency. However, we don't recommend this option unless you know where you're going. Traffic can be a headache, and all signs are in Spanish.

The official currency is the Dominican Republic Peso but it is rarely a problem to use American dollars. ATMs are available throughout La Romana and inside Casa de Campo; they will dispense money in pesos.

Dominicans speak Spanish as their primary language. Some, particularly those who work in tourism areas, speak English. That said, communication can be a problem, so either carry a pocket dictionary, or bone up on basic phrases like hola (hello), buenos dias (good day), por favor (please), gracias (thank you), cuanto cuesta? (how much does it cost?) and donde esta el bano? (where is the bathroom?).

There is, technically, no "cruise terminal"; instead, ships dock at an informal facility -- one dock on either side of a small river that's between the sugar cane town of La Romana and the chi-chi resort village of Casa de Campo. There are no services (unless you count a Coke machine).