Santo Domingo – Celebrity Cruises has officially welcomed its newest vessel, the Celebrity Xcel, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship is scheduled to commence operations in November 2024, offering seven innovative onboard spaces and a series of seven-night inaugural voyages from Fort Lauderdale. These itineraries will alternate between destinations such as the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Caribbean hotspots including Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In a strategic expansion, the Celebrity Xcel will make its European debut in summer 2026, featuring seven- to 11-night Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona and Athens. These voyages will introduce new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal, enhancing the travel experience. Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, hailed the Celebrity Xcel as a transformative milestone in premium travel, emphasizing the Edge Series’ cutting-edge design and unparalleled onboard offerings. Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, highlighted the ship’s guest-centric development through the Xcel Dream Makers program, ensuring a tailored and exceptional experience for global travelers.
标签： Dominican Republic
多米尼加共和国
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Dominican Trade Union calls on government to support ending U.S. blockade of Cuba
In Santo Domingo, the Unión Clasista de Trabajadores (Classist Union of Workers) has issued a compelling appeal to President Luis Abinader, urging him to reaffirm the Dominican Republic’s stance against the longstanding U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade on Cuba. This embargo, in effect since 1962, has been widely criticized as a violation of the United Nations Charter. Juan Núñez, the union’s Secretary General, highlighted the severe repercussions of the blockade, which has inflicted profound hardships on the Cuban population for over six decades. The restrictions have severely limited access to essential goods such as medicines, food, medical equipment, raw materials, and machinery, while also crippling international trade and hindering sustainable development. The union expressed unwavering solidarity with Cuban workers, citizens, and their government in their ongoing struggle to lift the blockade. Furthermore, they called on the Dominican government to uphold its support for Cuba, aligning its actions with both the Dominican Constitution and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
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Five Dominican players named finalists for 2025 American League Silver Slugger Award
Five standout Dominican players—Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero, Julio Rodríguez, Jorge Polanco, and Jéremy Peña—have been named finalists for the prestigious 2025 American League Silver Slugger Award. This accolade recognizes the most exceptional offensive performers at each position in Major League Baseball (MLB), celebrating their remarkable contributions to the game. Junior Caminero, the Tampa Bay Rays’ third baseman, emerged as a dominant force this season, smashing 45 home runs, driving in 110 RBIs, and maintaining a .264 batting average, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most formidable hitters. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman, delivered consistent offensive prowess with 23 home runs, 84 RBIs, and a .292 average. Julio Rodríguez, the Seattle Mariners’ center fielder, achieved a rare 30-30 season, combining 30 home runs with 30 stolen bases, alongside 95 RBIs and a .267 average. His teammate, second baseman Jorge Polanco, bolstered Seattle’s infield with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a .265 average. Meanwhile, Houston Astros shortstop Jéremy Peña showcased maturity and consistency, finishing the season with a .304 batting average, 17 home runs, and 62 RBIs. The Silver Slugger Award winners, determined by votes from MLB managers and coaches, will be unveiled in the coming weeks, spotlighting the league’s elite hitters.
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Dominican Republic partners with Ghana to improve prison system
In a significant step toward enhancing its penitentiary system, the Dominican Republic has entered into a groundbreaking international cooperation agreement with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Fordham University’s Leitner Center for International Law and Justice. The pact, formalized at the National Palace’s Los Trinitarios Hall, aims to drive prison reform, bolster human rights, and strengthen legal and technical training within the country. The agreement was signed by key figures including Roberto Santana, Presidential Advisor on Penitentiary Services; Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, Dean of GIMPA’s School of Law; and Paolo Galizzi from Fordham University. The event also saw the presence of Dr. Diana Asonabo Dapaah, former Deputy Minister of Justice of Ghana. Coordinated through the National Office for Support to Penitentiary Reform (ONAPREP), the collaboration will focus on joint research, academic exchanges, and specialized training for prison personnel. It also seeks to draw inspiration from Ghana’s remarkable success in reducing pretrial detention rates from 68% to below 15% within three years. Furthermore, the partnership will organize an International Conference on Human Rights, the Penitentiary System, Global Challenges, and Good Practices, bringing together global experts to share insights and foster sustainable justice reforms. The three-year agreement, with provisions for automatic renewal, will be managed by an Interinstitutional Coordination Committee, with Dr. Juan Dionicio Rodríguez representing the Dominican Republic.
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U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo resumes consular services
The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo has announced the resumption of both routine and emergency consular services, effective this Monday. This decision comes after the Emergency Operations Center (COE) downgraded the alert level in Santo Domingo province from red to yellow. In a statement shared on the embassy’s official Instagram account, officials confirmed that the Visa Assistance Center at Sambil will also reopen and resume normal operations. The embassy attributed this move to the improved weather conditions and the diligent monitoring of Hurricane Melissa by local authorities. However, the embassy issued a warning, emphasizing that Hurricane Melissa remains a potent and unpredictable storm. It could still bring heavy rainfall and localized damage to certain areas of the Dominican Republic in the days ahead. Residents and visitors are advised to remain vigilant and stay updated on weather developments.
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Dominican Republic returns to normal as Abinader lifts Hurricane Melissa restrictions
Santo Domingo – President Luis Abinader has announced the lifting of preventive measures across most of the Dominican Republic following the departure of Hurricane Melissa, signaling a gradual return to normalcy. However, four provinces—Barahona, Pedernales, Bahoruco, and Independencia—remain under red alert due to lingering risks from the hurricane’s indirect effects.
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Cruise tourism: Puerto Plata surpasses 1.9 million visitors through September
Puerto Plata’s Amber Cove and Taíno Bay maritime terminals have achieved a significant milestone, welcoming 1.9 million cruise passengers by September 2025. This accomplishment solidifies the province’s status as the Dominican Caribbean’s leading cruise destination. Despite a minor slowdown in growth during the latter part of the year, the terminals have demonstrated robust performance in attracting maritime tourists. In 2024, the terminals collectively hosted 2.6 million passengers, with projections for 2025 estimating between 2.6 and 2.7 million arrivals, maintaining the record-breaking figures of the previous year. A sector insider noted that the passenger numbers will remain close to past records, with only a marginal 4% difference, as growth has plateaued in recent months. Operated by Carnival Corporation and the ITM group, respectively, Amber Cove and Taíno Bay have become pivotal in revitalizing the northern region’s tourism economy, creating numerous jobs and generating substantial revenue. Puerto Plata, affectionately dubbed ‘The Bride of the Atlantic,’ continues to enhance its allure as a top Caribbean cruise destination, offering pristine beaches, captivating excursions, state-of-the-art port facilities, and the renowned hospitality of its people.
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Ocoa coffee farmers face “disastrous” losses due to rain
The Orlando Mazara Coffee Growers Association (Asocaom) has declared the situation in the coffee-growing region of Quita Sueño, spanning seven areas in the Rancho Arriba municipality of San José de Ocoa, to be catastrophic in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s torrential rains. Daisy Encarnación Casado, the association’s coordinator, and Aris Peguero, project manager, revealed that the damage is extensive, with hundreds of quintals of coffee lost due to the severe weather. Producers are struggling to dry their grains due to the absence of drying tunnels and the destruction of local roads, leaving many farmers stranded on their properties. Additionally, the overflowing Nizao River near Montenegro has cut off access to several communities, isolating over 200 families. These families are now without medical services and face millions in losses from ruined coffee and other crops. In response, coffee growers have urgently appealed to President Luis Abinader to implement immediate measures to support the agricultural sector. They emphasized the critical importance of coffee production for reforestation, economic sustainability, and the livelihoods of local farmers. The association also called for the repair of local roads and the swift construction of a bridge over the Nizao River at the Montenegro Crossing to restore access and aid recovery efforts.
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Aerodom responds to the effects of Storm Melissa: “So far, no flights have been canceled”
As Hurricane Melissa advances toward the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s airports, managed by Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), continue to operate without disruptions. Luis José López, Aerodom’s Communications Director, confirmed to arecoa.com on Sunday, October 26, that all scheduled flights are running as planned, with no cancellations reported. López emphasized that operations remain normal and that the concessionaire is prepared to communicate any changes to passengers through multiple channels if necessary. Aerodom has activated its Emergency Plan, with airport teams implementing preventive measures to ensure safety and operational continuity. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 113–136 knots (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h), continues its slow but steady path past the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of intense downpours, thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides. Experts note that the storm’s structure is reorganizing, with decreased upper-level winds potentially allowing it to strengthen further. Melissa is expected to reach Category 5 status before making landfall in Jamaica early next week.
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Melissa: Nearly 100 people evacuated from Saona Island
In a swift and coordinated response to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Republic Navy (ARD), under the Ministry of Defense (MIDE), successfully evacuated 98 individuals from Saona Island this Saturday. The operation was executed as a preventive measure against the storm’s adverse effects, which have already brought heavy rainfall and high waves to the eastern and southern coasts of the country. The evacuation was part of a broader emergency response strategy led by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MIDE), which mobilized all available resources of the Armed Forces to support the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and civil authorities in ensuring public safety. Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the Minister of Defense, directed the Navy to activate its emergency protocols, deploying surface naval units and specialized rescue teams. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez, Commander General of the Navy, emphasized the critical role of interoperability among Naval Commands, the Eastern Naval Zone, the Captaincy of the Ports, and the Dominican Maritime Authority in the operation’s success. ‘This swift action reflects the preparation, discipline, and commitment of our men and women of the sea, who respond with determination whenever the nation needs them,’ stated Vice Admiral Crisóstomo Martínez. The evacuees were safely transported to the Port of Bayahibe, where they received immediate assistance from relief agencies. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives, safety, and well-being of its citizens, with air, naval, and land resources remaining on standby to address any further challenges posed by Storm Melissa.