Carnival Corporation has expanded its surplus meal donation program to the Dominican Republic, the second Latin American country to join the company’s initiative in redirecting prepared, unserved meals to local communities where its ships visit.
“Bringing our surplus meal donation program to the Dominican Republic is an important part of expanding this work across Latin America,” said Vicky Rey, vice president of government relations for Latin America, Carnival Corporation.
“This work depends on clear processes, strong coordination with government and local partners, and a shared commitment to supporting the local community,” added Rey.
As part of Carnival Corporation’s Less Left Over food waste reduction strategy, approximately 200 portions of prepared, unserved meals from the Mardi Gras were donated to the Archdiocese of Puerto Plata, Carnival Corporation’s local program partner, for distribution to area organizations assisting families and the elderly.
The effort was supported by government collaboration, coordination with local partners ashore and Carnival Cruise Line’s culinary teams.
The company stated that the program is expected to expand quickly to all Carnival Cruise Line ships calling on Amber Cove.
“We are grateful to the Archdiocese of Puerto Plata for serving as our local program partner, to our business partner Fabio Valenzuela, advisor to Rannik Group, and to government authorities for helping make this possible,” Rey said.
With the addition of the Dominican Republic, the program has expanded to 19 ports since its launch in 2017. As of year-end 2025, the program has provided more than 320,000 meal portions to global communities since its inception, with plans to continue expanding the model into new markets.
The announcement builds on Carnival Corporation’s long-standing role in Puerto Plata through Amber Cove, which opened in 2015 as an $85 million cruise destination, helping to restore cruise tourism to the region after more than three decades.
As the leading cruise operator in the Dominican Republic, Carnival Corporation’s eight global cruise lines will visit six Dominican ports in 2026, bringing more than 1.3 million guests and representing 50 percent of the country’s cruise market share.
