MSC Opera to Homeport Year-Round in La Romana Starting Nov 2026

MSC Cruises will launch a year-round cruise program from La Romana, Dominican Republic, starting in November 2026 with the 2,150-guest MSC Opera, a move the company says will bring an estimated 120,000 additional international visitors to La Romana each year. CEO Gianni Onorato announced the plan during Fitur, the International Tourism Trade Fair, in Madrid, calling it the company’s first year-round deployment in the Southern Caribbean.

Year-round homeporting marks an expansion beyond the traditional season

MSC Cruises first began calling in the Dominican Republic in 2014, and Onorato framed the new homeport program as a long-term commitment to the destination.

“MSC Cruises first started calling in the Dominican Republic in 2014, so after more than 10 years, it is a proud moment for me to speak about our new homeporting offering in La Romana,” Onorato said. “With year-round operations, we extend the traditional season, bringing positive economic impact to the local community and bringing 120,000 additional international visitors to La Romana each year.”

David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, also voiced support for the collaboration, pointing to the country’s growing appeal as a cruise destination due to its attractions and Caribbean location.

How MSC Opera’s program will operate from La Romana

MSC Opera is a Lirica-class ship that entered service in 2004 and accommodates 2,150 guests. Beginning in November 2026, the vessel is set to run weekly departures from La Romana, a port about 75 miles from Santo Domingo.

MSC Cruises said it will sell both seven-night itineraries and longer options built around back-to-back cruising. Guests will be able to book a single week or combine sailings into a 14-night “butterfly” itinerary designed to reduce repeated port calls across the two-week trip, aligning with MSC’s emphasis on minimal port repetition across its one- and two-week routes.

Beyond La Romana, MSC has also indicated MSC Opera will embark guests at other ports in the Southern Caribbean, including Barbados and Martinique, depending on the sailing.

First departures, early itinerary sequence, and 7- vs. 14-night options

The first roundtrip MSC Opera sailing from La Romana is scheduled to depart on November 16, 2026. MSC said the initial seven-night itinerary includes calls at Catalina Island (Dominican Republic), Bridgetown (Barbados), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), and Tortola (British Virgin Islands).

MSC Opera is also scheduled to use Martinique as an additional point to take on guests for extended voyages. During the November 2026 sequence, MSC said the ship is scheduled to embark additional passengers in Martinique on November 20, 2026, as the itinerary transitions into a 14-night sailing.

For that first run, guests booked on the seven-night option are scheduled to return to La Romana on November 23, 2026. Passengers continuing on the 14-night version will remain onboard for additional calls that MSC said include Samaná (Dominican Republic), Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), Catalina Island, and Bridgetown.

Ports of call and shore experiences MSC is highlighting

MSC Cruises has positioned the program around a mix of Southern Caribbean and Dominican Republic stops, including destinations such as Fort-de-France in Martinique, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, Philipsburg in St. Maarten, and Virgin Gorda and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The company has also referenced St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, among the ports featured across the broader rotation.

In the Dominican Republic, MSC is spotlighting Catalina Island as an exclusive MSC nature reserve where guests can swim, snorkel among coral reefs, or spend time on the beach. The company also noted excursions from Catalina Island to Saona Island, described as part of Cotubanamá National Park and known for coral reefs.

Other experiences MSC cited include visits to Altos de Chavón in La Romana, hikes in Gorda Peak National Park on Virgin Gorda, time at the Baths on Virgin Gorda, and excursions in Martinique such as rum distilleries, rainforest visits, and beach options.

MSC Cruises also said it is emphasizing the importance of preserving marine ecosystems through partnerships with local communities and efforts to protect natural attractions along the routes.

Fly-and-hotel packaging planned to support inbound demand

To support the La Romana homeport for international travelers, MSC Cruises said it plans to offer packaged options that bundle transportation and accommodations with the cruise.

• Fly&Cruise: Packages are expected to combine flights, the cruise sailing, and ground transfers to simplify logistics for guests traveling to join MSC Opera.
• Stay&Cruise: MSC said it will also offer options that pair a cruise with pre-cruise hotel accommodation in the Dominican Republic for travelers extending their trip.

How the deployment fits MSC’s wider regional plans

MSC Opera will not be the only MSC Cruises ship operating in the Southern Caribbean during the 2026-2027 winter season. MSC Seaview, a 4,132-guest ship, is scheduled to sail seasonally with seven- and 14-night itineraries roundtrip from Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Martinique.

MSC Cruises had previously disclosed in May 2025 that it intended to establish a year-round presence in the Caribbean, and the November 2026 start from La Romana puts that plan into continuous operation in the Southern Caribbean.

The Dominican Republic cruise market includes multiple ports, including La Romana, Santo Domingo, and Puerto Plata, where Amber Cove is located. MSC is also not the only operator expanding activity tied to the destination, with Costa Cruises set to deploy the 3,800-guest Costa Fascinosa for seasonal homeporting from Santo Domingo beginning in December 2025.

MSC Opera’s year-round schedule is set to begin with the November 16, 2026 departure and continue with weekly operations that can be booked as seven-night cruises or combined into 14-night itineraries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will MSC Opera begin year-round sailings from La Romana?

The first roundtrip sailing from La Romana is scheduled to depart on November 16, 2026, marking the start of MSC Cruises’ year-round program in the Southern Caribbean.

What is the difference between MSC Opera’s 7-night and 14-night options?

MSC Opera will offer weekly seven-night cruises, and guests will also be able to combine sailings into a 14-night “butterfly” itinerary designed to reduce repeated port calls across the two-week trip.

What ports will MSC Opera visit on the new program?

MSC said the program features a mix of ports that includes Catalina Island and Samaná in the Dominican Republic, Bridgetown in Barbados, Fort-de-France in Martinique, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, and calls in the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola and Virgin Gorda, as well as Philipsburg in St. Maarten. MSC has also referenced St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, among the ports featured across the broader rotation.

What other ships will MSC deploy in the Southern Caribbean during the 2026-2027 winter season?

MSC said MSC Seaview, a 4,132-guest ship, will operate seasonally in the Southern Caribbean during the 2026-2027 winter season, offering seven- and 14-night itineraries roundtrip from Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Martinique.

Will MSC offer package deals for guests traveling to the La Romana homeport?

Yes. MSC Cruises said it plans to offer Fly&Cruise packages that combine flights, cruise sailings, and ground transfers, as well as Stay&Cruise packages that pair a cruise with pre-cruise hotel accommodation in the Dominican Republic.