Today, more details were revealed about Catalina Sugar Beach, the new name for the beach destination located on Catalina Island, off the coast of La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Managed in partnership with CTL Maritime and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, the destination is undergoing major improvements to transform it into a world-class leisure destination in the Caribbean, with its opening scheduled for November 2026.
Cruise passengers, including those traveling with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as guests staying at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, will be able to enjoy this destination. MSC Cruises will begin offering weekly cruises from its new home port in La Romana in November, and the MSC Opera will call at the new destination of Sugar Beach on all its itineraries.
The destination will offer an experience that highlights the character and beauty of the island, which has been designated a protected natural monument in the Dominican Republic. Passengers will be able to enjoy some of the region’s best white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as new experiences and first-class services.
The shore excursions will offer the opportunity to get even closer to nature: they will include a relaxing catamaran cruise through the surrounding waters, snorkeling to admire the lush marine life for which the island is famous, boat trips to Saona Island, and visits to the nearby Cueva de las Maravillas and Altos de Chavón. Passengers who wish to stay and enjoy Catalina Sugar Beach can choose to enhance their experience with the new cabins now available.
Highlights of the visitor experience at Catalina Sugar Beach include:
- Dining Facilities – An iconic open-air beach pavilion with buffet service will serve as the island’s culinary hub, offering international dishes and local specialties. An adjacent, shaded dining area features comfortable outdoor tables with panoramic ocean views.
- Beverage Facilities – There will be two bars, including an open-air “palapa”-style tropical bar that will welcome passengers with refreshments and serve as a shaded social area overlooking the ocean.
- Water Sports Center – the go-to spot for passengers who want to explore the crystal-clear waters in the surrounding area, with equipment available for rent.
- Cabins – The island will have lounge chairs and cabanas available for rent—the most comfortable way to enjoy a day at Catalina Sugar Beach.
- Renovated facilities – The functional facilities throughout the island will be renovated and will feature comfortable and elegant locker rooms, showers, and restrooms.
- A scenic trail – winds through the island’s stunning natural landscape to a spectacular overlook, with educational signs along the route inviting visitors to discover and learn more about the island’s diverse tree species. Along the trail, elevated clearings among the vegetation offer panoramic views of the beach and the surrounding island landscape.
MSC Cruises will begin sailing from La Romana with stops at Catalina Sugar Beach in November, marking the first time the company has offered year-round itineraries in the southern Caribbean. The MSC Opera will offer weekly sailings with seven-night itineraries or the option for passengers to extend their cruise with a consecutive 14-night “butterfly” cruise.
MSC Cruises will offer a range of convenient Fly&Cruise packages that include a cruise and airfare to the Dominican Republic. Passengers departing from Spain will have direct flights from Madrid included, ensuring a worry-free experience.
Explora Journeys makes a stop at Catalina Sugar Beach on select Caribbean itineraries.
