The Gulf loses more cruises until 2028 as MSC joins the pullback

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · August 21, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~1 min

The news is not small: the Gulf loses more cruises until 2028 and MSC is joining the carriers' pullback, according to Hosteltur. This is not a one-off cancellation, it's a schedule adjustment that affects several companies and keeps pressure on a route that had been gaining weight. For anyone selling the Caribbean, that sounds like opportunity.

What is happening, fast:

Cruise lines are moving capacity toward more predictable destinations.
MSC appears on the list of those delaying or reducing its presence in the Gulf.
That tonnage has to go somewhere, and the Caribbean is still the most solid cruise market.

My read: the Dominican Republic cannot sleep. If the big lines push more in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, the ports of Punta Cana, La Romana and Samaná have arguments to fight for more calls. But you need infrastructure, dock management and onboard experience up to the task. Whoever is ready when that capacity comes wins.

Quick questions

Why is the Gulf losing cruises until 2028?

Cruise lines, including MSC, have decided to pull back from the Gulf and keep that position until 2028, according to Hosteltur. That frees capacity that can be moved to the Caribbean.

What does MSC's pullback mean?

One of the big names is also moving ships away from the Gulf during that period. It is a strategic shift that opens space for other destinations.

Can the Dominican Republic benefit from this?

Yes. Cruises leaving the Gulf need somewhere to go and the Caribbean is the natural market. Dominican ports like Punta Cana, La Romana and Samaná can gain more calls with strong docks and efficient management.

When will cruises return to the Gulf?

According to Hosteltur, the pullback runs until 2028. Whether all lines return remains unclear, but that window gives other destinations time to consolidate routes.

Should cruise lines worry about the Gulf?

This is a reorganization. Lines are adjusting where to deploy ships, and until 2028 the Gulf carries less weight while the Caribbean strengthens its position.

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