The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced in the city of Miami that for the first time a European cruise company will establish a “homeport” operating throughout the year in the country, starting in November, with departures from La Romana.
He said that this is part of the “historic agreement” reached by MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo, through a strategic alliance (joint venture) for the management, operation and development of Catalina Island.
The director of the tourist port of La Romana Cruises, Luis Emilio Rodríguez Amiama, highlighted what MSC’s announcement of establishing a year-round operational “homeport” in the Dominican Republic as of November 2026, with departures from La Romana, represents for the Dominican industry.
The new itinerary will include stops on Catalina Island, as well as other ports in the country, which demonstrates the line’s firm commitment to strengthening the Dominican destination within the global cruise market, indicated Rodríguez Amiama.
MSC Cruises, officially MSC Crociere SA, is a luxury cruise line belonging to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Group) group. It is one of the main global operators, considered the third largest globally and leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf and South Africa, with a fleet of more than 20 modern ships that cover destinations on all five continents.
The agreement between MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo represents a significant step for the tourism development of the Eastern region and the entire Dominican Republic, promoting job creation, foreign investment and the positioning of the country as a strategic hub in the Caribbean. Likewise, it consolidates a key collaboration between Central Romana Corporation, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas and international partners, laying the foundations for sustained growth in the sector.
The relevance of this initiative is further reinforced by the presence at the event of Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of MSC Cruises, one of the most influential figures in the global cruise industry. Their participation underlines the strategic importance of this alliance for the MSC group and reaffirms the company’s confidence in the potential of the Dominican Republic as a key hub in the Caribbean.
New itineraries
As one more step to consolidate the country’s leadership in the cruise industry in the Caribbean, Minister Collado announced that the prestigious company Disney Cruise Line will officially incorporate the Dominican Republic into its itineraries starting in November, thus consolidating the country’s position as one of the most attractive destinations in the Caribbean. Disney Cruise Line ships will stop at the Taíno Bay cruise port, located in Puerto Plata.
