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I just visited MSC Cruises’ new private island as an invited guest of MSC, and there were a few immediate takeaways from my day on Ocean Cay. Because of these varied experiences, I visited Ocean Cay with low expectations on the food, but I was pleasantly surprised with my lunch ashore. Both quick-service grab and go options and a buffet line were available, and I was pleased to see a wide variety of dishes to choose between. If you haven't heard all that much about Ocean Cay, it's because it was only open briefly early in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic caused the cruise industry to shut down. A grand opening celebration set for May 2020 was canceled on short notice, and the island didn't see any ships for more than a year.
Tranquil waters and beach bars
MSC Cruises' Latest Sale Has Voyages Starting at $179 — When to Book - Travel + Leisure
MSC Cruises' Latest Sale Has Voyages Starting at $179 — When to Book.
Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Equipment is available for rent on the island, and you can either explore on your own or book and excursion that will take you to some of the best spots. The most popular area for swimming and lounging is South Beach. This beach wraps around and another small island (North Beach) creates a large lagoon. In between these two spots the water is always calm as it’s protected from the open ocean. One of the defining features of Ocean Cay is its close location to Miami.
South Beach
Passengers in standard cabins will find tram stops with shaded waiting areas throughout the island. However, waits can be long, especially if many other people are also in need of a lift. Ultimately, the only thing being in the Yacht Club affords you in this case is the option to book more expensive cabanas. Chairs at the other beaches are also free and available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, umbrellas come with an extra cost. For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below. As mentioned, the island is free to enjoy, but there are plenty of extras that will cost money.
How can I visit Ocean Cay?
The iconic feature on the island is the Lighthouse, which offers an excursion to climb up the 165 steps and 115 feet for the best views over Ocean Cay. Drinks and bay views are available at the Lighthouse Bar, which features a large deck space. The Bahamian village offers shops and boutiques where you can buy souvenirs and other items. Springers Bar is the main bar, located just past the welcome center. You can also find beach bars set up close to the waterfront areas.
MSC Cruises temporarily closes Ocean Cay (Bahamas) for renovation and expansion
This is a buffet that features buffet staples like burger and dogs. It’s just about in the center of the island, and right near South Beach. There is also bar service at the buffet if you are feeling thirsty. StargazingOne of the unique things about Ocean Cay is that MSC features extended days at the island, with the ship often departing at midnight. That means you can spend some time ashore during the evening and night.
How many beaches are there
For those who don't want to wait for the tram, Lighthouse Bay facing the pier where the ships dock is about a 5 minute walk. Ocean Cay began its life as an artificial island built so private companies could dredge its white aragonite sand in the 1960s. MSC acquired the 95-acre island in in 2015 through a 100-year lease agreement that allowed the cruise line to redevelop it as a private island with a marine conservation component. They can hold up to six people each and include cold water, beach towels and chairs, as well as floating mats for use in the water. The last two types are only available for booking by Yacht Club passengers. MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve private island is home to seven (soon to be eight) beaches, and all are public, except one — Ocean House Beach, which is the Yacht Club's exclusive swath of sand.
MSC Cruises to redevelop private island in the Bahamas - Cruise Trade News
MSC Cruises to redevelop private island in the Bahamas.
Posted: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Ocean Cay Has a Pier and Is Easy To Get Around
Beyond its exclusivity, the beach has a few other differences from the island's regular beaches. Do you enjoy large cruise ships but still want to feel like you're in the lap of luxury? Passengers booked in MSC Cruises' Yacht Club cabins and suites have access to high-end amenities – both on the ship and off.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: Everything you need to know
If you like to hang out around the pool during your cruise and join in all the afternoon fun, you’ll find just the same organized activities on Ocean Cay. Sign up for Scavenger Hunts, Sandcastle Competitions, Ocean Cay Olympic Games and other unique activities dreamed up by your cruise director and staff. Families with children will appreciate thespecial shallow swim area to allow children to gain their confidence.
As well as being one of the biggest island development by any cruise company, it is the only Marine Reserve experience. Don’t worry; even though you are on a desert island, the show will go on! Evening entertainment includes themed shows such as the Evening Lighthouse Show, fire pits for gathering around and enjoying live music from Bahamanian artists and DJs. While ashore guests can take Caribbean andLatin dance classes, watch the colorful Junkanoo Parade, practise yoga and joinin the lively sports activities.
Prices for children are cheaper, except for the paddleboard tour (minimum age 14) and the jet ski tour (minimum age 10, but minimum age to drive is 18). If you want more to do than swim, float or relax in a lounge chair, you have a few options on Ocean Cay. However, there aren't as many options as a tricked-out, theme-park-like private island like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. Enjoy casual oceanfront dining full of flavorful options from traditional barbecue favorites to authentic Bahamian dishes. With 10 classic beach bars to choose from, a cold beverage is always within reach. If you forgot to book an excursion before you get off the ship, there is an information and excursion/rental desk on Ocean Cay right where you enter.
Walking from the berthed ship to island's farthest point takes around 20 min. There are also bars all across the island, including the one in the picture above that is at the base of the lighthouse. You can use your MSC cruise card to make any purchases or utilize your drink package at these locations. The close-to-the-port Lighthouse Bay offers some unique, comfy seating and great views of the ship.
Non Yacht Club cruisers will have their own experiences on the inland lagoon. It employed, and still retains the services of a team ofexperts, marine biologists and scientists. They revitalized the stripped oceanbeds, encouraged endangered corals to thrive and in turn attracted marine lifeback to these pristine waters.
While not in a protected lagoon, the water was still calm and felt much cleaner than that at South Beach. Stepping ashore, I was determined to have a picture-perfect beach day, yet I soon realized I should have done more research beforehand. From picking the wrong beach to finding an unexpected charge, here are 7 things I wish I knew before I went to Ocean Cay. MSC Cruises has purposely kept the activities available to visitors to the island low key, and they pretty much all revolve around getting near, in or on this water, which is pristine. Looking down at Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises' 95-acre private island in the Bahamas, I was initially underwhelmed.
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