Taino Bay Puerto Plata Review | What To Do Without an Excursion #DominicanRepublic #CruiseLife

We’re sharing our morning arrival at Puerto Plata, where we docked alongside a Carnival ship in the beautiful Tano Bay. While one of us explored the port area, the other headed off to Dunga Falls on a shore excursion. The port features a nice shopping area, restaurants, and some fun water attractions like a lazy river and flow rider that guests can enjoy.

We found the port setup really convenient with clear meeting zones for tours and easy access back to the ship. Throughout the day, we noticed a Norwegian Breakaway ship joining us at port and took some time to enjoy pizza and margaritas while many passengers were off exploring. Our MSC World America cabin was cleaned and ready for us when we got back, and we’re looking forward to trying out the thermal suites soon.

Key Takeaways

• Puerto Plata’s Tano Bay port offers shopping, dining, and water activities including a lazy river and flow rider for cruise passengers
• MSC’s pizza is always readily available without any wait time and has a nice thick, cheesy style that compares well to other cruise lines
• The port has a well-organized system with numbered meeting zones for shore excursions and convenient access to local attractions

Stepping Off at Puerto Plata

Getting to the Dock

We pulled into Puerto Plata on a beautiful morning. The Carnival ship we had been sailing near during the night was already docked when we arrived. We think it was the Magic.

As we entered Keno Bay, we could see excursion number 14 heading toward the falls. The port was just starting to wake up for the day.

Looking Around Keno Bay and Tano Bay

We explored the port area while waiting to meet back up later. The buses drop off passengers at a specific location around 2:00 PM. At 9:25 in the morning, the port was still quiet.

Port Features We Found:

• Shopping district with stores
• Beach area
• Pool and lazy river at Tano Bay
• Hammocks and seating areas
• Restaurants and bars
• Duty-free shops

The shopping area reminded us of Amber Cove but seemed nicer. We hadn’t seen the pool or activities yet when we first walked through. We should have looked at the map more carefully.

We found a great pool through a small clearing. We weren’t sure if it was free to use, but we went to check it out anyway. There was also a flow rider for surfing.

The lazy river had several fun features. A map showed obstacles like sprayers, a waterfall, and a covered section that goes under a bar. The River of the Gods had floating tubes available. The entrance was clearly marked.

Tiki Tiki Bull Bar sat right over part of the lazy river. The river went under the bridge and then under the canopy of the bar area. The Hurricane Lounge Bar was located by the pool.

When you get off the ship, all the tours meet in numbered zones. You find your number and head to your bus beyond the bamboo gates. If you don’t have a tour, you can walk through the Diamonds International duty-free store to reach Tano Bay village.

Early Hours at the Port

The weather was warm but not too hot. It actually felt pretty nice. We found a spot to see our ship through some palm trees.

A Shark Attack gift shop was one of the first stores we passed. The port had a bird experience activity available. There was also a spot where you could sit in the water while enjoying drinks.

We found a nice beach area. People were still getting off the ship when we walked by. Through a clearing, we spotted a large pool.

The flow rider wasn’t open yet, but we could see it clearly. Right now, the area was quiet with lots of available seating and tons of tubes ready to use. In a couple hours, finding a spot to sit would be impossible.

The covered part of the lazy river was already open with people floating through. The whole setup went around the bar area in a loop.

It was worth getting off the ship to check out this port. You could hang out, get drinks and food, and then walk back to the ship when ready. You just show your card to get back through.

A Norwegian ship came in after us. We were told earlier one was coming. The size difference between the two ships was quite large. Our MSC World America was much bigger.

The only other cruise ship we had seen with red lifeboats was the NCL Bliss. This Norwegian ship also had red lifeboats. That must be their signature color. Disney has yellow ones and Carnival has orange.

We got a good view of the back of the World America. You could see the World Promenade and the Jaw Drop shark slide at the top. The ship is pretty, though they still have some things to work out.

The Norwegian Breakaway was still docking when we walked between the two ships. We hoped the falls wouldn’t be too crowded when the other ship arrived.

The lounge chairs appeared to be free with tips only. We confirmed this was the same policy as other cruise lines.

A light sprinkle started, not quite rain yet. We found cover under an awning to stay dry.

Watching Ships and Exploring the Port

Observing Ships Arrive and Depart

We noticed the Carnival ship we’d been following the previous evening as we sailed into Puerto Plata. The morning offered beautiful conditions for viewing vessels in the harbor.

Christina number 14 departed for the falls while we stayed behind to explore the port area. We were officially docked in Keno Bay, ready to check out what the area had to offer.

What We Saw on the MSC World America

The MSC World America remained visible throughout our time at port. We found several good viewing spots to photograph the ship.

From different angles around Tano Bay, we could see:

• The World Promenade
• The Jaws Drop shark feature at the top
• The dry slide
• Red lifeboats (similar to NCL’s style)

We spent time walking between the two docked ships. The size difference between our vessel and the Norwegian ship was quite noticeable. The MSC World America is the biggest MSC ship we’ve sailed on.

We noticed the ship still had some details to work out. However, we felt they were making progress. The vessel looked impressive from every angle we found.

Looking at the Norwegian Breakaway

A Norwegian ship joined us in port later that morning. We’d heard earlier that another vessel would be arriving. It turned out to be the Norwegian Breakaway.

We watched the ship dock from our position at the port. The Breakaway appeared to be an older version compared to the Bliss. We guessed this was the original design in that class, while the Bliss was a Breakaway Plus.

Features we spotted on the Norwegian Breakaway:

• Ropes course on the upper deck
• Water slides
• Multiple hot tubs on the aft deck
• A large screen (which we felt blocked the wake view)
• Red lifeboats
• Aft deck balconies
• A bar area
• The unusual NCL shower feature

We got a good top-down view of the ship from our vantage point. The vessel was still in the process of docking when we first observed it.

Tano Bay Experience

Marketplace and Food Area

When we got off the ship, we walked through the duty-free Diamonds International store. Beyond that, we found a whole village setup called Tano Bay.

The shopping district reminded us of a nicer version of Amber Cove. There were lots of stores and restaurants spread throughout the area. We saw a Shark Attack Chachski store among the shops.

One cool thing we noticed was seating in the water where people could enjoy their drinks. There was also a Taco Lover restaurant that became our meeting spot later.

Water Park and Lazy River Area

We spotted a really nice pool through a clearing in the shopping area. At first, we weren’t sure if it was free to use, but we went to check it out.

The lazy river was called River of the Gods. We found a map showing all the obstacles along the way. The river had:

• Little sprayers to cool you off
• A waterfall
• A covered section that went under a bar area
• Tunnels under bridges

Route: The lazy river went around the whole bar area. You entered on one side, went under the Tiki Tiki Bull Bar, then under a bridge, and around through the canopy section.

When we explored early in the morning, we found tons of tubes available and lots of seating. We knew that in a couple hours, there wouldn’t be a single spot to sit.

The area also had hammocks and a beach section. We could see a little island out in the water with waves crashing against it. The Hurricane Lounge Bar was located by the pool area.

Flow Rider and Wave Activities

We heard something called Splash Surfing and knew right away it was a flow rider. We went to check it out and confirmed it was definitely a flow rider.

The flow rider wasn’t quite open yet when we first explored the area. The water activities were part of the overall Tano Bay complex along with the pools and lazy river.

All of these activities were located in the village area, which you could access after showing your card and walking through the gates. The buses for shore excursions all met in numbered zones right beyond the bamboo gates. If you didn’t have a tour, you could just walk through and explore Tano Bay on your own.

Things to Do on the Ship

Exploring the Ship and Its Features

We walked around the ship while many passengers were off at port. The timing worked out well since most areas were empty and easy to see. We could move around freely and get a good look at everything without crowds.

The ship has pizza available at multiple spots. We never had to wait for fresh pizza, which was nice. There’s a pizza station downstairs at the Luna Park area and another one up by the pool. Both always had slices ready to grab.

We found these locations for pizza:

• Luna Park area (downstairs)
• Pool deck area (upstairs)

Calm Areas and Relaxation Spots

The zen deck was pretty empty when we checked it out. One pool in this area had no one in it at all. We could see the pier and Tano Bay from up there. The lazy river and pool area were visible too, along with the shops and restaurants beyond that.

From the deck, we spotted the hills where the waterfalls are located. We think Amber Cove is just over the hill on the other side. That’s Carnival’s port in the Dominican Republic.

Spa Suite Entry

Our cabin steward left robes in our room. We planned to visit the thermal suites either that afternoon or the next day when we got back from San Juan. The robes were waiting for us, all set up and ready to use.

Our Food and Drink Experiences

Comparing Pizza: MSC and Carnival

We grabbed some pizza and it’s really growing on us. We still want to give the edge to Carnival because their thinner crust has a nice crunch to it. We think the flavor is a little bit better too.

But we like how chewy the dough is on MSC’s pizza. The cheese is also really good. It’s actually kind of hard to say which one wins.

We’d say it’s almost a tie between MSC and Carnival pizza for different reasons. MSC pizza is more like traditional pizza with nice thick dough and lots of cheese. We prefer the crunch and flavor of Carnival’s pizza though.

What really gives MSC the edge:

• We’ve never had to wait even a second for pizza
• There’s always pizza ready to go
• It doesn’t matter if we’re downstairs at Pizza and Burgers in the Luna Park area or up by the pool
• There’s always pizza available

We really appreciate that about MSC.

Taco Lover and the Local Port

We met up at Taco Lover after the shore excursion. The restaurant is located at spot number four in Taino Bay.

The buses drop everyone off at a specific location around 2:00 PM. While one of us was exploring the port around 9:25 AM, it was pretty quiet.

What we found at Taino Bay:

• A duty-free Diamonds International store
• A whole little village area
• A lazy river
• Multiple stores, bars, and restaurants
• A nice pool and beach area

It’s definitely worth getting off the ship to check out. We could hang out, get a few drinks, and get some food. When we were ready to go back to the ship, we just showed our card and walked back down the pier.

Our Margarita Break

We had a couple margaritas before meeting up at the taco spot in Taino Bay.

We enjoyed our drinks while taking in the port atmosphere. It felt like a half port day and half sea day to us. We were reading our book a little bit and just relaxing.

Local Attractions and Shore Excursions

Waterfalls Shore Trip

One of us headed to the waterfalls on excursion number 14 while the other stayed to explore the port area. The excursion departed in the morning around 9:25. The tour buses picked up guests at a specific meeting point near Taco Lover at location number four. Drop-off times were scheduled for around 2:00 p.m.

All the different tour groups met right by the bamboo gates near the ship. Each excursion had its own numbered zone, so you just had to find your number and wait there. The buses were parked right beyond the gates.

Beaches and Nature Views

The port had a nice beach area right near the ship. We found a great pool and lazy river complex called River of the Gods. The lazy river had cool features like obstacles, sprayers, a waterfall, and covered sections.

Lazy River Features:

• Small island with waves
• Covered sections
• Bridge crossings
• Sprayers to cool off
• Waterfall area

The pool area had tons of seating and hammocks available. There was also a flow rider for surfing. We saw a Tiki bar and Hurricane Lounge Bar near the pool. The whole complex had beach chairs and plenty of tubes for the lazy river.

There were some unique spots along the lazy river path. You floated under a bar and restaurant area, which was really large. The covered part of the river was pretty cool to see.

We spotted a small island out in the water with waves crashing against it. The beach and nature views were quite nice in this area.

Getting Around the Port

When you get off the ship, you walk down the pier to a central meeting area. You can go through the duty-free Diamonds International store to reach the main port area. The whole village is called Taino Bay.

Port Amenities:

• Lazy river
• Pool areas
• Shops
• Bars
• Restaurants
• Beach access

The shopping district had lots of stores to browse. We found it similar to other ports but nicer in terms of the shopping options. There was also a bird experience available and places where you could sit in the water while enjoying drinks.

When you’re ready to head back to the ship, you just show your card at the entrance and walk back down the pier. The walk was pretty easy and straightforward.

The port has covered areas and places to escape the weather if needed. Everything you need is within walking distance of where the ship docks.

Resting Easy on Board

Personal Touches from Our Room Attendant

Our cabin steward kept our room spotless throughout the day. Every time we returned, everything was tidied up and in its place. We noticed fresh robes waiting for us in the cabin. We hadn’t tried them yet, but we planned to use them when visiting the thermal suites.

Yacht Club Benefits and Features

No information about suite perks and amenities was provided in the background material.

Little Extras and Delightful Moments

No information about sweet treats and surprises was provided in the background material.

What’s Next on Our Trip

Our Time in San Juan

We’re planning to visit the thermal suites when we get back from San Juan. We haven’t tried out our robes yet, but we’re excited to use them either this afternoon or tomorrow after our port day.

Our Days at Sea

We’ll have some sea days coming up after San Juan. These will give us more time to explore the ship and try things we haven’t gotten to yet.

We’re looking forward to having more time to relax without rushing off to ports. It’ll be nice to just enjoy the ship and maybe grab some more of that pizza.

Our Visit to Ocean Cay

We’re really excited about Ocean Cay. It’ll be our last stop before heading home.

We haven’t been there before, so we’re curious to see what MSC’s private island is like. We’re hoping the weather will be good for enjoying the beaches and activities there.

Wrapping Up Our Puerto Plata Experience

We had a fantastic time exploring both the ship and the port area while one of us went on a shore excursion. The layout made it easy to find our way around.

What We Discovered at the Port

The area reminded us of Amber Cove but with nicer shopping options. We walked through the shopping district and found some great spots to relax. The beach was small but pleasant.

We were impressed by the pool and lazy river setup. The lazy river had fun features like sprayers, a waterfall, and covered sections. We especially liked that it went under the Tiki bar area.

How the Port Works

When we got off the ship, we noticed how organized everything was:

• Tour groups meet at numbered zones near the bamboo gates
• Buses wait just beyond those gates
• If we didn’t have a tour, we could walk through the Diamonds International store
• Tano Bay was right there with restaurants, bars, shops, and the lazy river
• Getting back to the ship was simple – just show our card and walk down the pier

The lounge chairs by the pool and hammocks were all available early in the morning. We knew they would fill up quickly once everyone got off the ships.

Our Pizza Comparison

We’ve been eating the pizza regularly and it’s growing on us. The MSC pizza is thick, doughy, and very cheesy – more like traditional pizza. Carnival’s pizza has a thinner, crunchier crust with better flavor overall.

What we like about MSC pizza:

• Always available with no wait time
• Thick and chewy dough
• Lots of cheese
• Available at multiple locations

What we prefer about Carnival pizza:

• Crunchy thin crust
• Better overall flavor

We think it’s basically a tie between the two for different reasons. The fact that MSC always has pizza ready to go gives them a slight edge. We’ve never had to wait even one second for a slice at either the Luna Park area or by the pool.

What We Saw From the Ship

The Norwegian Breakaway docked next to us while we were there. It has red lifeboats just like other Norwegian ships we’ve been on. We noticed it looked like an older version of the Bliss with a ropes course and water slides on the top deck.

From our vantage point, we could see the whole Tano Bay area with the lazy river, pool, shops, and restaurants. We think Amber Cove is just on the other side of the nearby hill.

Our Take on the Ship So Far

The World America is beautiful and we’re really enjoying ourselves. We appreciate features like the always-available pizza and how clean our cabin stays. Our cabin steward does a great job keeping everything tidy.

We’ve noticed some challenges on this ship that we’ll talk about more later in the cruise. But right now, we’re having a good time. We still haven’t tried the robes in our cabin yet, but we’re planning to visit the thermal suites soon.

The Weather and Atmosphere

It started sprinkling lightly while we were exploring. The weather was warm but not too hot – actually pretty comfortable. We enjoyed walking around when most people were still on their excursions because everything was quiet and uncrowded.

We grabbed some margaritas and pizza, then spent time reading and relaxing. It felt like a half port day and half sea day, which was perfect for us.