Amber Cove · Wednesday, March 24, 2027

Top 3 Amber Cove Tours for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam

Carnival Mardi Gras and Nieuw Statendam are both at Amber Cove on Wednesday, March 24, 2027: Carnival Mardi Gras from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Nieuw Statendam from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These are the three excursions we’d book for this port day, with guaranteed pickup in the Amber Cove terminal lobby, drive times from the pier, minimum ages and the weather to expect.

Carnival Mardi Gras guests: available All 16 of our excursions are open. Book online until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 23.

Nieuw Statendam guests: available All 16 of our excursions are open. Book online until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 23.

See the top 3 tours Weather for March 24
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The Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship, with a dark blue hull and red funnel, sailing past the Dutch coast under a cloudy sky.
Carnival Mardi Gras Carnival Cruise Line · 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Photo: kees torn · CC BY-SA 2.0
Holland America Line ship Nieuw Statendam, with a navy-blue hull and white superstructure, docked at the Visby cruise pier in Sweden on a sunny day.
Nieuw Statendam Holland America Line · 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Photo: Bene Riobó · CC BY-SA 4.0
Carnival Mardi Gras
8:00 AM–5:00 PM · all aboard ~4:30 PM
Nieuw Statendam
8:00 AM–5:00 PM · all aboard ~4:30 PM
Pickup
Guaranteed in the terminal lobby
Ships in port
2 · Moderately busy day
Chance of rain
31% on a typical March 24

Your Wednesday port day at a glance

Port day timeline for each ship at Amber Cove on Wednesday, March 24, 2027
Ship Docks Meet your guide Excursion window All aboard Departs
Carnival Mardi GrasCarnival Cruise Line 8:00 AM ~8:30 AM in the lobby 8:30 AM–3:30 PM7 hours ~4:30 PM 5:00 PM
Nieuw StatendamHolland America Line 8:00 AM ~8:30 AM in the lobby 8:30 AM–3:30 PM7 hours ~4:30 PM 5:00 PM

Carnival Mardi Gras and Nieuw Statendam are both in port. Together they carry about 7,930 guests at double occupancy, so popular tours can fill up; booking ahead is smart. All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before departure; check your cruise line’s app.

Top 3 Amber Cove tours for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam on March 24

Chosen to suit guests of both ships, their time in port and the weather March 24 usually brings. Each tour has a booking button for each ship, with its arrival time already filled in.

Best overall

1. Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch

Slide, jump and swim through the seven Damajagua waterfalls, then sit down to a Dominican lunch.

Price
From $49 per guest
Duration
3 hours
Pickup
Amber Cove lobby Guaranteed
Drive from the pier
31 min 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
Minimum age
7+
Back at the terminal
~11:30 AM All aboard ~4:30 PM

Why it’s a top pick for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam on March 24

Leave the lobby around 8:30 AM and you’re back at Amber Cove around 11:30 AM, about 5 hours before all-aboard. Rain falls on 31% of days around March 24; showers don’t stop it, and guides check the river after heavy rain. Ages 7+.

  • Dry: Great
  • Showers: Great
  • Rainy: Depends
Book · Carnival Mardi Gras guests Book · Nieuw Statendam guests See the full itinerary

Each button opens the booking form with that ship, Mar 24, 2027 and its arrival time already filled in.

Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best for culture & history

2. Puerto Plata City Tour

Fortaleza San Felipe, the Malecón, Umbrella Street, Pink Street, a chocolate factory and the cathedral, with only light walking.

Price
From $44.55 per guest
Duration
About 4 hours
Pickup
Amber Cove lobby Guaranteed
Drive from the pier
18 min 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
Minimum age
All ages Kid friendly
Back at the terminal
~12:30 PM All aboard ~4:30 PM

Why it’s a top pick for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam on March 24

Leave the lobby around 8:30 AM and you’re back at Amber Cove around 12:30 PM, about 4 hours before all-aboard. Rain falls on 31% of days around March 24; it’s at its best on a dry day, so watch the forecast below. Good for all ages.

  • Dry: Great
  • Showers: Good
  • Rainy: Depends
Book · Carnival Mardi Gras guests Book · Nieuw Statendam guests See the full itinerary

Each button opens the booking form with that ship, Mar 24, 2027 and its arrival time already filled in.

Route to Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata: 18 min · 12.5 km (7.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best for families · all ages

3. Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds

Feed squirrel monkeys, walk through a butterfly garden and hand-feed colorful birds at an easy pace.

Price
From $57.99 per guest
Duration
3 hours
Pickup
Amber Cove lobby Guaranteed
Drive from the pier
18 min 16.3 km (10.1 mi)
Minimum age
All ages Kid friendly
Back at the terminal
~11:30 AM All aboard ~4:30 PM

Why it’s a top pick for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam on March 24

Leave the lobby around 8:30 AM and you’re back at Amber Cove around 11:30 AM, about 5 hours before all-aboard. Rain falls on 31% of days around March 24, and this one runs rain or shine. Good for all ages.

  • Dry: Good
  • Showers: Great
  • Rainy: Great
Book · Carnival Mardi Gras guests Book · Nieuw Statendam guests See the full itinerary

Each button opens the booking form with that ship, Mar 24, 2027 and its arrival time already filled in.

Route to Monkey Home Puerto Plata

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Monkey Home Puerto Plata: 18 min · 16.3 km (10.1 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Weather in Amber Cove on Wednesday, March 24

Around March 24, rain falls on about 3 in 10 days in Puerto Plata, and about 1 in 10 are properly rainy (10 mm or more). When it does rain, the day’s total is typically around 7 mm. Use the live forecast to pick the right plan below.

Live forecast · Amber Cove

Forecast for March 24

The live forecast shows up here about nine days ahead, from March 15. Until then, plan with the typical weather for this date.

Forecast data from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed every 30 minutes. Forecasts more than three days out can still change.

Typical weather around March 24

Chance of rain (1 mm+)
31%
Rainy day (10 mm+)
13%
Heavy rain (25 mm+)
6%
Average high
30 °C (86 °F)
Average low
20 °C (67 °F)

Source: NOAA daily records from the Puerto Plata airport weather station, 1996–2024, using every day within a week of March 24 (365 days).

Best excursions for each kind of weather

Rain or shine, there’s a good tour for your day. Once the forecast is in, the plan that matches it is highlighted.

Dry day

Less than 1 mm of rain between 8 AM and 8 PM

Dry weather is made for sightseeing and the zip line, and the waterfall pools are at their most turquoise.

  1. Puerto Plata City Tour Great pick From $44.55 All ages Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  2. 7 Waterfalls + Zip Line + Lunch (private transfer) Great pick From $110 Ages 8+ Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  3. Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch Great pick From $49 Ages 7+ Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  4. Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds Runs as normal From $57.99 All ages Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam

Passing showers

1–10 mm of rain between 8 AM and 8 PM

Showers on the north coast are usually short. Pick a tour where getting wet or muddy is part of the plan.

  1. Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch Great pick From $49 Ages 7+ You get wet in the canyon anyway, so a passing shower changes little. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  2. Double Buggy Adventure Great pick From $50 Ages 8+ Rain means more mud, which is half the fun. You will get dirty either way. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  3. Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds Great pick From $57.99 All ages Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  4. Double ATV Adventure Great pick From $45 Ages 8+ Rain means more mud, which is half the fun. You will get dirty either way. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam

Rainy day

10 mm of rain or more between 8 AM and 8 PM

Go for the buggy and the monkeys and butterflies. Damajagua depends on how much it rains: guides check the river that morning.

  1. Double Buggy Adventure Great pick From $50 Ages 8+ Rain means more mud, which is half the fun. You will get dirty either way. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  2. Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds Great pick From $57.99 All ages An easy, short-drive visit that still works when it rains. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  3. Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch Depends on the rain From $49 Ages 7+ Runs in light rain. After heavy rain, guides can close the falls until the river is safe; then we offer another tour or a full refund. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
  4. Double ATV Adventure Great pick From $45 Ages 8+ Rain means more mud, which is half the fun. You will get dirty either way. Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam

Guaranteed pickup

We meet you inside the Amber Cove terminal lobby

1. Before your port day

We email your exact meeting point in the lobby, your driver’s ID badge photo and a contact number.

2. From about 8:30 AM

Walk off your ship and into the terminal lobby, where your guide is waiting. If the ship runs late, we adjust to its real arrival.

3. Back before all-aboard

Round-trip transportation is included, and we plan every tour to bring you back to Amber Cove well before 4:30 PM.

  • Teco Beach (buggy & ATV) 10 min · 5.7 km (3.5 mi)
  • Monkey Home 18 min · 16.3 km (10.1 mi)
  • Downtown Puerto Plata 18 min · 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
  • Damajagua waterfalls 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

About Carnival Mardi Gras

The Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship, with a dark blue hull and red funnel, sailing past the Dutch coast under a cloudy sky.
Carnival Mardi Gras in the Netherlands. Photo: kees torn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Carnival Mardi Gras is a Carnival Cruise Line ship of the Excel class, sailing since 2021.

In port
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Cruise line
Carnival Cruise Line
Ship class
Excel class
In service since
2021
Gross tonnage
181,808
Guests (double occupancy)
5,282
Crew
1,745
Length
344.5 m (1,130 ft)

Onboard highlights

  • BOLT, the first roller coaster ever built on a cruise ship
  • Its godmother is Kimberly Jiménez, Miss Dominican Republic 2020
  • Six themed zones packed with restaurants, bars and entertainment
  • Powered by LNG, a first for a North America-based cruise ship

This sailing: 7-night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida

  1. Port Canaveral, Florida
  2. Nassau, Bahamas
  3. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
  4. Amber Cove
  5. Celebration Key, Bahamas
  6. Port Canaveral, Florida

Arrives from Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Next stop after Amber Cove: Celebration Key, Bahamas.

Itinerary source: cruisetimetables.com. Check your booking for your exact ports.

Carnival Mardi Gras returns to Amber Cove on Mar 31, 2027. All of its dates are on our Carnival Mardi Gras Amber Cove excursions page. See Carnival Mardi Gras on the Carnival Cruise Line website.

About Nieuw Statendam

Holland America Line ship Nieuw Statendam, with a navy-blue hull and white superstructure, docked at the Visby cruise pier in Sweden on a sunny day.
Nieuw Statendam in Visby, Sweden. Photo: Bene Riobó, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped.

Nieuw Statendam is a Holland America Line ship of the Pinnacle class, sailing since 2018.

In port
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Cruise line
Holland America Line
Ship class
Pinnacle class
In service since
2018
Gross tonnage
99,902
Guests (double occupancy)
2,666
Crew
1,053
Length
300 m (984 ft)

Onboard highlights

  • B.B. King's Blues Club, a Memphis-style live music venue
  • World Stage theater wrapped in 270-degree LED screens
  • Rudi's Sel de Mer, an intimate Mediterranean bistro
  • Grand Dutch Cafe serving specialty coffee and Dutch beers

This sailing: 7-night Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove & Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

  1. Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
  2. Nassau, Bahamas
  3. Amber Cove
  4. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
  5. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
  6. Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Arrives from Nassau, Bahamas. Next stop after Amber Cove: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.

Itinerary source: cruisetimetables.com. Check your booking for your exact ports.

All of its dates are on our Nieuw Statendam Amber Cove excursions page. See Nieuw Statendam on the Holland America Line website.

Every excursion for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam on March 24

“Back by” assumes you meet your guide about 30 minutes after your ship docks. Every tour includes round-trip transportation and pickup in the Amber Cove terminal lobby.

Swipe sideways to see the full table.

Excursions for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam at Amber Cove on Wednesday, March 24, 2027, with price, duration, return time, minimum age and weather fit
Excursion From Duration Back by Ages If it rains Book
Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch 31 min from the pier · Challenging $49per guest 3 hours ~11:30 AM 7+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Damajagua Waterfalls 31 min from the pier · Challenging $39per guest 3 hours ~11:30 AM 7+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds 18 min from the pier · Easy $57.99per guest 3 hours ~11:30 AM All ages Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Monkey Home Adventure 18 min from the pier · Easy $60per guest 3 hours ~11:30 AM All ages Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Double Buggy Adventure 10 min from the pier · Moderate $50per person · 2 sharing 3 hours ~11:30 AM 8+ Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Single Buggy Ride 10 min from the pier · Moderate $95per buggy · 1 rider 2 hours 30 minutes ~11:00 AM 8+ Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Double ATV Adventure 10 min from the pier · Moderate $45per person · 2 sharing 2 hours 30 minutes ~11:00 AM 8+ Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Single ATV Ride 10 min from the pier · Moderate $85per ATV · 1 rider 3 hours ~11:30 AM 8+ Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Puerto Plata City Tour 18 min from the pier · Easy $44.55per guest About 4 hours ~12:30 PM All ages Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
7 Waterfalls + Zip Line + Lunch (private transfer) 31 min from the pier · Challenging $110per guest 4 hours ~12:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Damajagua + Zip Line + Buggy 31 min from the pier · Challenging $149per guest 5 hours ~1:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Damajagua + Buggy + Dominican Food 31 min from the pier · Challenging $110per guest 5 hours ~1:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Damajagua + Monkey Park + Lunch 31 min from the pier · Challenging $99per guest About 4 hours ~12:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
City Tour + Double Buggy 18 min from the pier · Moderate $75per person · 2 per buggy About 6 hours ~2:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
City Tour + Double ATV 18 min from the pier · Moderate $75per person · 2 per ATV About 6 hours ~2:30 PM 8+ Depends on the rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam
Monkey Home + Double Buggy 18 min from the pier · Moderate $107per person · 2 per buggy About 5 hours ~1:30 PM 6+ Great in rain Book · Carnival Mardi GrasBook · Nieuw Statendam

Traveling with kids? Minimum ages

All ages

Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds, Monkey Home Adventure, Puerto Plata City Tour. On Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds, kids 3–11 pay US$39 and infants 0–2 go free.

6+

Monkey Home + Double Buggy. Feed the squirrel monkeys, then share a double buggy on muddy country trails.

7+

Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch, Damajagua Waterfalls. Kids swim, slide and jump with a helmet and life jacket, always with a guide.

8+

Buggy and ATV rides, plus these combos with Damajagua, a buggy or an ATV: 7 Waterfalls + Zip Line + Lunch (private transfer), Damajagua + Zip Line + Buggy, Damajagua + Buggy + Dominican Food, Damajagua + Monkey Park + Lunch, City Tour + Double Buggy, City Tour + Double ATV.

The rule for combos: when a combo includes Damajagua, a buggy or an ATV, the buggy and ATV minimum age of 8 applies to the whole tour. The one exception is Monkey Home + Double Buggy, which starts at age 6.

Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam at Amber Cove: FAQs

What time do Carnival Mardi Gras and Nieuw Statendam arrive in Amber Cove on March 24, 2027?

Carnival Mardi Gras is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Nieuw Statendam is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time (UTC−4) on Wednesday, March 24, 2027, according to the official Amber Cove port schedule (checked November 4, 2026). Port times can change, so confirm them in your cruise line’s app before going ashore.

How much time will I have in port?

Carnival Mardi Gras: 9 hours, with all-aboard around 4:30 PM; Nieuw Statendam: 9 hours, with all-aboard around 4:30 PM. All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before departure, so plan to be back at the pier about an hour before it. Every excursion we offer fits both port days.

Where do we meet our guide at Amber Cove?

Inside the Amber Cove cruise terminal lobby. Pickup there is guaranteed on every excursion on this page, and the return trip brings you back to the same terminal. Before your port day we email your exact meeting point, your driver’s ID badge photo and a contact number.

Do you have availability on March 24, 2027?

Yes, for guests of both ships. Carnival Mardi Gras guests can book online until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 23; Nieuw Statendam guests can book online until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 23 (12 hours before each ship docks). Groups of 6 or more get 5% off automatically (10% off for 11 or more), and you can reserve with a 30% deposit.

Which excursions are best for kids on March 24?

For any age: Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds, Monkey Home Adventure, Puerto Plata City Tour. Kids 3–11 pay US$39 on Monkey Home + Butterflies + Birds, and infants go free. From age 6: Monkey Home + Double Buggy. From age 7: Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch, Damajagua Waterfalls. From age 8: the other buggy and ATV rides and combos that include Damajagua, a buggy or an ATV.

What is the minimum age for Damajagua, buggies and ATVs?

Damajagua: 7 years. Buggy and ATV tours: 8 years. Any combo that includes Damajagua, a buggy or an ATV follows the buggy and ATV minimum of 8, except Monkey Home + Double Buggy, which starts at 6. The city tour and the monkey tours are open to all ages.

What if it rains on March 24?

Around March 24, rain (1 mm or more) falls on 31% of days and a properly rainy day (10 mm or more) on 13%, based on NOAA records for Puerto Plata. Buggy, ATV and the monkey and butterfly tours run rain or shine. Damajagua runs in showers, but guides can close the falls after heavy rain; if a tour can’t run for weather or safety reasons, we offer another tour or a full refund.

How busy is Amber Cove on March 24?

Carnival Mardi Gras and Nieuw Statendam are both in port. Together they carry about 7,930 guests at double occupancy, so popular tours can fill up; booking ahead is smart.

What happens if my ship is late or skips Amber Cove?

We adjust your tour to the ship’s actual arrival, so let us know as soon as the cruise line announces a delay. If your ship was scheduled to dock at Amber Cove but doesn’t, you get a full refund.

Can I cancel my excursion?

Yes. Cancel at least 25 hours before the scheduled start of your excursion for a full refund.

Plan the rest of your port day

More ways to get ready for Carnival Mardi Gras & Nieuw Statendam at Amber Cove: compare excursions by activity and read our travel guides.

Port-day guides

Ready for your Wednesday at Amber Cove?

Start with our #1 pick, Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch, or ask our local team which tour fits your group.

Book the #1 pick · Carnival Mardi Gras guestsBook the #1 pick · Nieuw Statendam guests Ask about your group

Free cancellation up to 25 hours before your tour · 5% off groups of 6+, 10% off 11+ · Reserve with a 30% deposit

Ship times: official Amber Cove port schedule, checked November 4, 2026; times are local (UTC−4) and can change. Typical weather: NOAA daily records for Puerto Plata. Live forecast: MET Norway. Drive times: Google Maps’ fastest route from the Amber Cove terminal. Prices are our current direct-booking rates in US dollars.