Royal Caribbean adds unique port to some Caribbean cruises
With visits to Labadee - Royal Caribbean's private destination on Haiti's northern coast - paused until at least early 2027, the cruise line is exploring some lesser-known port of call options in the Dominican Republic for some of its Caribbean cruises.
Certain 2026 sailings have recently seen a last-minute port addition or swap to incorporate a lesser-visited destination that's set to soon become a hub for Southern Caribbean cruise departures for another cruise line.
The up-and-coming cruise port is one of several in the Dominican Republic, a country that's experiencing strong cruise tourism growth and investing in new port infrastructure in multiple regions.
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Royal Caribbean adds La Romana port to Rhapsody of the Seas cruises
Royal Caribbean recently updated multiple Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Rhapsody of the Seas in July 2026 to add La Romana, Dominican Republic as a port of call.
On some sailings, Royal Caribbean replaced a sea day with a bonus visit to La Romana, while other itineraries added the port in place of Dominica, the Southern Caribbean's popular "Nature Island."
Located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana is gateway to the country's popular resort areas as well as nature escapes in Cotubanamá National Park and Catalina Island.
Related: Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas ready for European debut
"If you're looking for an authentic taste of the Dominican Republic, this port is the perfect spot to get your fix. There are countless things to do in La Romana, Dominican Republic, whether you're more of an outdoor adventurer, beachcomber, or culinary connoisseur," Royal Caribbean says on its website.
The added July visits to La Romana come after Royal Caribbean adjusted some Rhapsody of the Seas itineraries to incorporate a visit to the destination in April and May.
Royal Caribbean is also adding additional summer cruise stops in Cabo Rojo, a port on the Dominican Republic's southwestern coast, following negotiations between the cruise line and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, according to Dominican Today.
While this isn't the first time Royal Caribbean has sailed to La Romana or Cabo Rojo, both ports are not often included on cruise itineraries. By expanding its partnership with the Dominican Republic, Royal Caribbean is offering passengers unique opportunities to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations as an alternative to well-known ports like Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic's northern coast.
MSC Cruises to launch year-round sailings from La Romana
Royal Caribbean's new summer cruise stops in La Romana come as MSC Cruises prepares to begin sailing Southern Caribbean cruises year-round from the La Romana cruise terminal.
Beginning in November, MSC Opera will sail seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises from La Romana, which include visits to nearby Catalina Island, a nature reserve that boasts pristine, white-sand beaches and famous snorkeling sites. Ahead of the new sailings, MSC revealed plans to upgrade the island's facilities, dining options, and water sports center, and to outfit the beach with cabanas and daybeds available to rent.
New cruise port to open in the Dominican Republic in late 2026
In addition to La Romana and Cabo Rojo, another less-common Dominican Republic destination is popping up on more cruise itineraries: Samaná, a nature lover's paradise on the country's northeastern coast. I visited Samaná on a cruise more than 15 years ago and still dream about the untamed beauty of its remote beaches hidden in a lush mountainous rainforest.
Previously a tender port, Samaná is set to open a new modern cruise port in late 2026 that will make way for even the largest ships in the world - Royal Caribbean's Icon-class ships - to visit the destination. After going years without sailing to Samaná, Royal Caribbean now plans to visit with ships of all sizes in 2027. Royal Caribbean's second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, is scheduled to visit Samaná on several 2027 Caribbean cruise itineraries from Port Canaveral.
Related: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas review
Other Royal Caribbean ships scheduled to sail to Samaná after the new port opens include Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. The new Samaná port is set to welcome a variety of cruise lines during the winter cruise season, including Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys, and Virgin Voyages.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 8:22 AM.