ms Nieuw Statendam — Upcoming Port Calls & Shore Excursions

The ms Nieuw Statendam, operated by Holland America Line, offers a Caribbean itinerary that includes a call at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. This guide focuses on the shore experiences available during this port stop, drawing from one recorded call and four active tours.

Ports of Call and Shore Experiences

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
As the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo provides a rich blend of colonial history and Caribbean culture. Shore excursions from the ms Nieuw Statendam typically explore the UNESCO-listed Zona Colonial, where travelers can walk along cobblestone streets to see landmarks like the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus’s son’s palace) and the Catedral Primada de América, the first cathedral in the New World. Other options may include visits to the Los Tres Ojos National Park, a limestone cave system with freshwater lagoons, or a tour of the Museo de las Casas Reales, which chronicles the island’s colonial past. For those interested in local flavors, some excursions might stop at a rum or chocolate factory for tastings. With four active tours listed, travelers can customize their day based on interests in history, nature, or culture. All excursions are conducted by local guides and include transportation from the port.