A Famous Dominican Republic Island Is Being Transformed Into a Hybrid Beach Destination — Here's Who's Behind It
MSC Group and Casa de Campo are partnering on a 50/50 joint venture to redevelop Catalina Island into a dual-purpose cruise and resort destination.
Catalina Island, the popular day-trip destination off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, is getting a major overhaul. CTL Maritime, part of MSC Group, and La Romana's Casa de Campo Resort & Villas have formed a 50/50 joint venture to redevelop the island into what they're calling a hybrid destination — part cruise stop, part resort extension.
Casa de Campo has managed the island for over 25 years, but the new partnership signals a significant upgrade in ambition. Planned additions include an open-air beach pavilion with international and Dominican cuisine, a palapa-style bar, a dedicated water sports center with reef access and equipment rentals, and rentable cabanas and daybeds along the shoreline. Infrastructure improvements will cover upgraded changing areas, showers, and restrooms.
A Cruise-Resort Hybrid Model
The redevelopment is strategically timed. MSC Cruises is launching year-round homeport operations from La Romana starting in November, with weekly departures on 7-night and extended 14-night itineraries. Catalina Island will serve double duty as a port-of-call for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys passengers while continuing to host Casa de Campo resort guests.
The model is unusual in the Caribbean, where cruise excursion islands and resort beach clubs typically operate as separate ecosystems. By merging the two, the joint venture is betting that shared infrastructure and higher foot traffic will justify the investment without diluting the guest experience.
Crucially, Catalina Island maintains its "Natural Monument" status under Dominican law. All construction must follow environmental regulations designed to minimize impact on the island's coral reefs and surrounding marine ecosystems.