CTL MARITIME AND CASA DE CAMPO ENTER JOINT VENTURE TO OPERATE CATALINA ISLAND BEACH DESTINATION, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

15 April 2026 – CTL Maritime, part of the MSC Group, and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a subsidiary company of Central Romana Corporation Ltd., announced today a new joint venture to operate and re-develop Catalina Island beach destination, Dominican Republic, just off the coast of La Romana.

The long-term 50/50 venture will see the companies collaborate to upgradeinfrastructure and visitorexperience on the island to offer a premier leisure destination in the region. Central Romana, through Casa de Campo, has operated and developed Catalina Island for over 25 years and has been a pioneer designer of luxury real estate tourism in the broader La Romana destination for more than half a century.

The island will welcome a mixture of cruise ship guests, including from MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, other cruise lines, and private clients including from Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, which the hotel brand will manage the operations and beach club facilities.

The island, a Natural Monument in the Dominican Republic, is already known for its nature reserve experience, pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and surrounding coral reefs, will receive a significant upgrade under the plans.

Upgrades will include world-class food and beverage offerings, a range of stunning cabanas, a water sports center and other guest facilities, plus infrastructure improvements to create a seamless experience for guests.

Gianluca Suprani, President of CTL Maritime commented – “Today’s announcement is a proud moment for MSC Group’s Cruise Division as we join Central Romana Corporation and its subsidiary Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in a joint venture to further elevate Catalina Island into a premier destination in the Caribbean. We are committed to the Dominican Republic, and closely align with their vision for sustainable tourism developments that foster positive economic impact in the local communities. We start weekly, year-round, homeport cruises from La Romana this November, bringing 120,000 additional international visitors to the area each year, and our new joint venture further demonstrates our long-term commitment to the area and the wider Dominican Republic economy.”

Luis Emilio Rodriguez, La Romana Airport and Port Director for Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. commented: “We are pleased to partner with CTL Maritime on this venture of improving the infrastructure and guest experience on Catalina Island, while decisively contributing to positioning the Dominican Republic as a leading cruise gateway of the Caribbean. This joint agreement will allow us to further expand the conditions of this beautiful destination in La Romana, by creating both sophisticated tropical spaces and maintaining Central Romana’s long-lasting commitment to preserve the environmental integrity of this Natural Monument.”

Catalina Island enhancements include: 

• Dining facilities – a signature open-air beach pavilion buffet will be the central dining hub of the island, offering international dishes and local specialties. An adjacent shaded dining area offers comfortable al-fresco table seating with panoramic sea views.

• Beverage facilities – A tropical open-air palapa bar will welcome guests with refreshments and act as a shaded social pavilion with ocean views.

• Water sports center – The center point for guests wishing to explore the surrounding clear waters, with equipment available to rent.

• Cabanas – The island will be equipped with comfortable daybeds and cabanas available for rent. These offer the most comfortable way to enjoy a day at Catalina Island, whether for a couple or family.

• Upgraded facilities – Functional facilities across the island will be upgraded, with comfortable, stylish changing, shower and WC services.

Being a Natural Monument, all development on Catalina Island will be performed responsibly with the local environment in mind, with work meeting regulations set out by the relevant environmental authorities to minimize impact.

MSC Cruises commences its brand-new year-round operation from La Romana, in the south of the Dominican Republic, this November. The first time the cruse line has offered year-round sailings in the Southern Caribbean. MSC Opera will operate weekly departures with guests having the option to book a seven-night sailing or extend their cruise to a back-to-back 14-night ‘butterfly’ cruise.

The project represents a model for sustainable cruise tourism development in the Dominican Republic.

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