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 significant upgrades to transform it into a premier leisure destination in the Caribbean, with its grand opening planned for November 2026.
Cruise passengers, including those on 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 weekly sailings from its new homeport in La Romana in November, and MSC Opera will include Sugar Beach as a stopover on all its itineraries.
The destination will offer an experience that highlights the character and beauty of the island, a protected natural monument in the Dominican Republic. Passengers will enjoy some of the region's finest white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, along with new experiences and top-notch services.
Shore excursions offer the opportunity to get even closer to nature: they include a relaxing catamaran tour of the surrounding waters, snorkeling to admire the lush marine life for which the island is famous, boat trips to Saona Island, or visits to the nearby Cave of Wonders and Altos de Chavón. Passengers wishing to stay and enjoy Catalina Sugar Beach can upgrade their experience with the new cabanas available.
Highlights of the visitor experience at Catalina Sugar Beach include:
- Dining facilities – an iconic open-air beach pavilion with buffet service will be the island's culinary hub, offering international dishes and local specialties. An adjacent shaded dining area provides comfortable outdoor tables with panoramic sea views.
- Beverage facilities – there will be two bars, including a tropical open-air “palapa” bar that will welcome passengers with refreshments and serve as a shaded social pavilion overlooking the ocean.
- Water sports center – the landmark for passengers wishing to explore the crystal-clear waters of the surrounding area, with equipment available for hire.
- Cabins – the island will have sun loungers and cabins available for rent, the most comfortable way to enjoy a day at Catalina Sugar Beach.
- Renovated facilities – the functional facilities across the island will be renovated, featuring comfortable and stylish changing rooms, showers and toilets.
- A scenic trail winds through the island's stunning natural landscape to a spectacular viewpoint, with educational signs along the way inviting visitors to discover and learn more about the island's diverse tree species. Along the trail, elevated clearings amidst the vegetation offer panoramic views of the beach and the surrounding island scenery.
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. MSC Opera will offer weekly departures 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 air travel to the Dominican Republic. Passengers departing from Spain will have direct flights included from Madrid, ensuring a worry-free experience.
Explora Journeys makes a stop in Catalina Sugar Beach on certain Caribbean itineraries.
