At the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference held in Miami, Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism David Collado made a landmark announcement for the country’s travel and cruise sector: starting in November 2026, the Caribbean nation will host the first permanent, year-round homeport for a major European cruise line, based out of the eastern coastal city of La Romana.
This historic initiative grew out of a newly signed partnership between leading European cruise operator MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo. The agreement covers far more than just the homeport establishment: it also includes plans for the management and sustainable development of Catalina Island, as well as a major expansion of cruise itineraries that will add multiple new Dominican destinations to MSC Cruises’ global routes.
Regional and industry stakeholders have highlighted that this project is expected to deliver widespread economic benefits across the Dominican Republic, particularly in the country’s eastern region where the port is located. Projections point to significant new foreign direct investment flowing into the local tourism infrastructure, a measurable boost to overall national visitor arrivals and spending, and the creation of hundreds of new permanent and seasonal jobs for local workers.
Cruise industry leaders have emphasized the strategic value of this milestone. A permanent year-round homeport is far more impactful for a destination than occasional port calls, as it drives consistent visitor traffic and generates ongoing economic activity, rather than the seasonal fluctuations that characterize many Caribbean cruise markets. This move is expected to significantly strengthen the Dominican Republic’s competitive position in the $50 billion global cruise industry, and aligns with the national government’s long-term strategy to establish the country as one of the Caribbean’s leading central cruise hubs.