DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Tourism Minister David Collado announced in Miami, Florida that an agreement has been reached between MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo to create a joint venture for the operation, management and development of Catalina Island.

According to the head of the cruise port and airports division of Costasur, Luis Emilio Rodriguez Amiama, this means that La Romana will be a homeport for MSC Cruises starting in November 2026.

In the cruise industry, a homeport (or port of embarkation) is the primary hub where a cruise ship begins and ends its itinerary. Unlike a “port of call,” where a ship visits for just 8–10 hours, a homeport serves as the ship’s base of operations.

The new itinerary will stop at Catalina Island and other ports in the Dominican Republic.

The agreement consolidates relations between Central Romana Corporation, Casa de Campo...