Carnival’s new purpose-built port, Amber Cove, located on the north coast of Dominican Republic just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata, will welcome its first cruise ship, Carnival Victory, on October 6. This will the first of 37 calls by eight different Carnival ships (among them several P&O Cruises vessels) between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 100,000 guests.

Amber Cove is situated in a picturesque cove set against forested mountains. Developed specifically for cruise passengers, it has cobblestone plazas, shops, restaurants, bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs. The port will be able to accommodate two large ships at a time.

Amber Cove will also be the base for an entire new kind of cruising. Fathom, Carnival’s newest brand, which makes its maiden voyage in April 2016, will offer a combination of cruising and volunteering. Adonia (currently sailing for P&O Cruises) will call here on a weekly basis from April 2016, spending three days in port while its passengers work alongside local NGOs on community projects.

Landside experiences here as well as volunteering include beaches, water sports and culinary, cultural and adventure options. Terry Thornton, Carnival’s senior vice president of itinerary planning, reckons the new facility will change the way itineraries planned. “Amber Cove is destined to become a cornerstone in creating new itineraries from several US home ports,” he says.