MSC Cruises adds year-round southern Caribbean itineraries for first time

MSC Cruises will offer year-round southern Caribbean itineraries for the first time from November.

MSC Opera is being deployed to be based at La Romana in the Dominican Republic “for the long-term” with a new itinerary and weekly departures.

The 2,679-passenger ship, one of four in the line’s Lirica class, entered service in 2004 and was last refurbished in 2022.

Seven-night sailings or back-to-back 14-night voyages have gone on sale, with the first departure on November 16.

A seven-night cruise-only option starts at £509 departing La Romana on December 7, visiting Virgin Gorda, Philipsburg, Basseterre, Road Town and Catalina Island.

Fourteen-night fly-cruise rates start at £2,959 based on flights from Heathrow to Bridgetown, Barbados, departing on December 3. The itinerary includes Fort-de-France, Pointe-a-Pitre, Road Town, La Romana, Virgin Gorda, Basseterre, Philipsburg and Catalina Island.

Chief executive Gianni Onorato said: “MSC Cruises first started calling in the Dominican Republic in 2014, so after more than 10 years it is a proud a moment for me to speak about our new homeporting offering in La Romana.

“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. MSC Cruises is committed to the Dominican Republic and this new programme for the long-term.”