The Dominican Republic will become for the first time a permanent “homeport” of MSC Cruises, a major European cruise line headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, known for modern, Medciterranean - style ahips, offering a blend of Italian elegance and high - tech innovation, through the year starting in November 2026.
The operations will be from the port of Puerto Plata, a renowned destination in the Caribbean, known as the "Port of Silver", located on the Dominican Republic's northern Amber Coast. featuring a blend of unique colonial history, Victorian architecture, natural attractions and stunning beaches.
The announcement was made in Miami, Florida, U.S. by the Minister of Tourism David Collado, within the framework of the Seatrade Cruise Global fair and this achievement represents a milestone for the Caribbean country serving as homeport for MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately held cruise company and the third - largest cruise brand.
The initiative comes after an agreement between MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo, a residential, commercial, and tourist complex in La Romana, which contemplates the management, operation and development of Isla Catalina ( Catalina Island), a small inhabited, protected tropical island 2.4 km off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic near La Romana, in addition to the expansion of the offer of itineraries that will include stop in different Dominican destinations, a ccording to a press release.
MSC Cruises is establishing year - round operations, breaking the traditional seasonality, as part of a long - term strategy in the region.
The MSC Opera will be the primary vessel, operating weekly 7 - night itineraries, with options to extend 14 - night “butterfly” cruises, and the program is expected to bring 120.000 international visitors to La Romana annually.
The agreement seeks to promote investment, job creation, and the growth of tourism in the eastern region with Punta Cana and Puerto Plata drivers of the Dominican Republic’s record breaking tourism success in 2025 - 2026, positioning the country as a top Caribbean destination..
The Director of the Cruise Port of La Romana, Luis Emilio Rodríguez Amiama, highlighted the importance of MSC Cruises establishing a base of operations in the country throughout the year, which will strengthen the positioning of the Dominican Republic in the global cruise market.
The Cruise Port Director added that the new itineraries will not only integrated Catalina Island, but also other ports in the country, which according to the authorities, reflects the confidence of the line in the potential of the Dominican destination.
Meanwhile, the President of CTL Maritime, Gianluca Suprani, also supported the initiative, noting that it is part of a long - term vision to consolidate the country as a cruise hub in the Caribbean.
Link
https://www.arecoa.com/cruceros/2026/04/16/hito-de-rd-sera-homeport-permanente-de-msc-cruises/
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