FAQ — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Booking & Reservations
How do I book an experience?
The fastest way to reach us is directly via WhatsApp or by phone.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to send us an email at info@laromana-privatausflug.com to describe your needs.
We respond to every inquiry personally and very promptly, usually within 2 hours.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible – ideally at least 4 to 8 weeks before your cruise date. Whale-watching trips (January through March) and Saona Island experiences on weekends sell out particularly quickly. However, we’ll also accommodate last-minute bookings if availability permits. Contact us, and we’ll give you an honest assessment of what’s possible.
Can I book directly from the ship or at the port?
Yes. If you haven’t booked in advance, contact us via WhatsApp as soon as you know your port of call. We have real-time availability and can sometimes even process same-day bookings.
However, an advance reservation guarantees your spot, your vehicle, and your guide.
Do you accept group reservations for more than 10 people?
Our tours are generally limited to a maximum of 10 guests—that’s the core of what we offer. For larger groups, we can arrange multiple private tours at the same time, each with its own vehicle and guide. Please contact us to schedule a personalized consultation.
Will my reservation be confirmed right away?
We confirm every booking personally, usually within 2 hours of your request. You will receive a written confirmation with your guide’s name, vehicle details, departure time, meeting place, and a direct contact number. There is no automated system – every confirmation is reviewed by a real person.
Can I still change my reservation after it has been confirmed?
Yes. We understand that cruise plans can change. Changes to your booking – date, experience, group size – will be handled personally and without additional fees, subject to availability. Please contact us as soon as you need to make a change.
Prices & Payment
What's included in the price?
Every experience is completely all-inclusive. One price covers everything:
- Private, air-conditioned transfer – reserved exclusively for your group
- Expert guide
- Lunch at a hand-picked restaurant or a private beach setting
- All admission and entrance fees for parks and attractions
- Chilled beverages throughout the day
- Snorkeling equipment, where applicable
There are no additional charges on the day of the tour, and there are no hidden costs.
How does your price compare to the excursions available for booking on board the cruise ship?
Our per-person price is generally comparable to that of official ship excursions – and in many cases, more affordable. The key difference isn’t the price: it’s what you get in return. A private vehicle, a maximum of 10 guests, and an expert guide are not standard features of ship excursions, which typically operate with 30 to 50 people and offer a lower standard of quality.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash and PayPal.
All prices are listed in $US. Full payment details will be provided in the booking confirmation. All transactions are processed securely.
What is your cancellation policy?
We offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before the scheduled departure. Cancellations made within 48 hours are subject to a 50% fee. In the event of extreme weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances that affect the experience, we offer a full refund or an alternative date at no additional charge. Our cancellation policy is intentionally simple and fair.
Do you offer private bookings for couples or small groups?
Yes. Every tour can be booked as an exclusive private tour for two or more guests. In this case, there will be no other guests – the vehicle, the guide, and the entire day are exclusively yours. Pricing is based on a minimum vehicle booking and does not include a per-person charge. Contact us for a private booking quote.
The Experiences
How long do the activities last?
All tours are full-day excursions lasting approximately 8–9 hours, including transportation to and from the cruise port in La Romana. We design each itinerary to ensure you make the most of your port day and return to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
When do the activities start?
Departure times are coordinated with your ship’s arrival schedule. We typically depart between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and return between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – with a minimum buffer of 60 minutes before your all-aboard time. The exact times will be confirmed in your booking details.
Is the whale-watching experience available year-round?
No. Humpback whales can only be seen in Samaná Bay from January through the end of March, when they migrate to these warm waters to mate and give birth to their calves. Outside of this time frame, the whale-watching experience is not available. We strongly recommend booking early if your cruise falls during this season – it’s one of our most popular experiences.
Can the itinerary be customized?
To a certain extent, yes. Our tours follow a tried-and-true structure, but we take reasonable preferences into account – such as spending more time at a particular location, dietary requirements for lunch, or specific interests the guide should focus on. Please let us know your preferences when you book.
Are your activities suitable for people with limited mobility?
Please contact us before booking if a member of your group has limited mobility. Some experiences involve more walking than others. Santo Domingo, for example, requires a moderate amount of walking on cobblestone streets, while Saona Island is primarily beach-based and more accessible. We will always be honest about the physical demands of a particular experience and do our best to accommodate your needs.
Logistics & Practical Information
Where exactly are we meeting?
Your guide and vehicle will be waiting for you at the main exit of the La Romana cruise terminal – not at a secondary meeting point or shuttle stop. Your booking confirmation will include your guide’s full name, a photo, and a description of the vehicle.
No searching, no confusion.
What happens if our ship arrives late?
We monitor ship arrival and departure schedules in real time. If your ship is delayed, we’ll adjust the departure time accordingly and contact you directly. Your experience won’t be unnecessarily shortened—we work with the actual day you have, not the one originally planned.
Will we make it back to the ship in time?
Yes. None of our guests has ever missed their ship. We build in buffer times into every itinerary, maintain real-time communication with our port team, and monitor all boarding times throughout the day. Ensuring your return to the ship is a non-negotiable commitment for us.
What languages do the guides speak?
All of our guides speak German, Spanish, and English fluently.
What should we wear and bring with us?
- Lightweight, breathable clothing – the climate is warm and humid year-round
- Comfortable shoes for Santo Domingo and village visits
- Swimwear and a small towel for Saona Island
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap
- Some cash for personal purchases or tips
- Your cruise ticket and booking confirmation
Do your vehicles have air conditioning?
Yes. All of our vehicles are modern, professionally maintained, and fully air-conditioned. They are reserved exclusively for your group—no shared rides, no additional pickups, and no strangers in your vehicle.
Security & Trust
Is La Romana safe for tourists?
Yes, for guests who travel with a reputable guide and exercise normal travel caution. The harbor area, the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, Saona Island, and the Samaná Peninsula are all well-established tourist destinations with a strong safety record for international visitors. We operate exclusively in these vetted areas and maintain direct contact with all active groups throughout the day.
Are your guides certified?
Yes. All of our guides are certified, experienced, and have been personally vetted by us.
What happens in the event of a medical emergency?
Our guides are trained in first aid. We are in direct contact with the nearest medical facilities throughout the day and can arrange for rapid transportation if necessary. Your safety is our top priority on all our adventures – above the itinerary, above the schedule, and above everything else.
Are you a reputable, licensed provider?
Yes. We’ve been a licensed tour operator registered in the Dominican Republic since 2014. Our guest reviews are available on Google and TripAdvisor. For private group bookings, we’re happy to provide references from previous guests. If you have any questions before booking, give us a call or message us on WhatsApp – a real person will respond.
Kontaktieren Sie uns noch heute!
Für Buchungen oder bei weiteren Fragen können Sie uns auf vielen Wegen erreichen:
telefonisch unter: +1 849-855-5718
über WhatsApp: +1 849-855-5718
über E-Mail: info@laromana-privatausflug.com
oder Sie nutzen einfach das nachfolgende Kontaktformular
Ihre Nachricht an uns:
What Our Guests Say
"We've taken shore excursions on four continents, and most of them follow the same formula: a bus, a guide with a microphone, and forty strangers you never asked to spend the day with. La Romana was different. Our group was six people. Our guide, Carlos, spoke to us - not at us. Saona was extraordinary, and the beach lunch was genuinely one of the best meals of the entire trip. We booked the ship's excursion first, cancelled it, and have no regrets whatsoever."
"Travelling with two teenagers who are hard to impress, I was prepared for complaints. Instead, they haven't stopped talking about it. The cacao farm, the cooking with the local family, the market - it was the kind of experience that actually stays with you. Our guide read the group perfectly and kept the pace moving without rushing anything. Worth every penny, and a genuinely better use of a port day than another beach."
"I travel solo and always worry about private tours feeling awkward with strangers. There were only four of us, and within twenty minutes it felt like we'd planned the trip together. Santo Domingo was breathtaking - but what made the difference was having a guide who clearly knew the city beyond the tourist circuit. We saw things I wouldn't have found in a week on my own. The lunch spot alone was worth the booking."
"We've seen whales before - from a distance, from a crowded deck, for about ninety seconds before the boat turned around. This was not that. We were nine people on a private vessel with a marine biologist who clearly loved what he was doing. A mother and calf surfaced close enough that we could hear them breathe. My wife cried. I almost did. If your cruise stops in La Romana between January and March, do not miss this."
is a brand of Schau Ma Mal
- Plaza Punta Cana
- +1 849 855 5718
- +1 849 855 5718
- info@laromana-privatausflug.com
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