MSC Cruises' Latest Sale Has Voyages Starting at $179 When to Book

Table Of Content

Reviewed: MSC Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, & More)
Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
Drinks options are limited at Ocean Cay
Where is Ocean Cay?
Things to Do on Ocean Cay
CRUISE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE ISLANDOCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE
Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

Ocean Cay Beach Cabanas, found on South Beach, North Beach and Bimini Beach, are the most affordable on the island at $250 for the day. They've got walls on three sides, and they're outfitted with cushioned couches. They include the basic amenities mentioned above, and anyone can rent them. Ocean Cay strives to be eco-friendlyMSC is making a big push to have Ocean Cay do right by the environment. That means some huge moves like cleaning up the former industrial site the island is built on, but also smaller things.

Reviewed: MSC Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, & More)

It also created a coral nursery on the east side of the island, with a focus on propagating endangered coral types that are native to the area. The line's long-term vision is for the island to become a base for marine biologists to conduct research into coral restoration. The variety of daily activities includes things like kite flying, yoga, and water aerobics sessions.

Drinks options are limited at Ocean Cay

These cost $252 per cabana to rent on board, but pricing might differ if you book before your cruise or on the island. You can book massages at the on-island Spa at Ocean Cay, located on Paradise Sands Beach, past the far end of South Beach, where you can enjoy the sea breezes in a private treatment cabana. The wedding pavilion is also on this beach should you wish to tie the knot during your cruise. The main thing to do on Ocean Cay is to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. Visitors can choose to spend time in the protected waters of the lagoon or on a beach that fronts the ocean.

Where is Ocean Cay?

Spend a full day, or two, on our exclusive private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. As part of an excursion I went up the 165 steps to the top of the 100-foot tall lighthouse. The views were stunning and it was a great place to get some pictures of the cruise ship as well.

MSC Cruises Unveils New 2025 Itineraries - Porthole Cruise and Travel

MSC Cruises Unveils New 2025 Itineraries.

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:34:35 GMT [source]

Things to Do on Ocean Cay

There is a charge for any missing towels not turned in at the end of the cruise. Several different restroom stations are dotted along the island, and feature handicapped accessible stalls. Each restroom also has water fountains for you to grab a drink (disposable plastic bottles are discouraged on the island). Other beaches include Bimini Beach, Ocean House Beach, Sunset Beach, and more. Perhaps the biggest draw to the island is the surrounding water. A rare color of electric blue, the waters of Ocean Cay are some of the most striking we’ve ever seen.

This makes it quicker and easier to go back and forth from the ship to the island. MSC Yacht Club guests have complimentary beverages included with their experience and these are served at the dedicated MSC Yacht Club area and beach, as well as the Ocean House Bar & Restaurant. Because our ship was at low capacity, many of the organized excursions such as Champagne or rum catamaran tours or the shipwreck snorkeling tour weren't in operation. While the island does have the capability to offer SCUBA diving, this also wasn't available on our trip.

Just use your card or wristband for the drinks, which are available from several bars around the island. First, Ocean Cay has a pier that’s big enough to accommodate even MSC’s biggest cruise ships. Because Ocean Cay is a private island, you also do not have to bring a passport or photo ID; your room keycard is good enough. The USD 200 million development project was initially scheduled for completion in December 2017.

Kayak/PaddleboardingIf you want to get on the water, there’s no better way than renting a kayak or a paddleboard. You’ll have the ability to go explore the waters around the island, including a chance to see wildlife in the area, including sea turtles if you’re lucky. ShopsRight as you walk ashore, you will enter Ocean Cay Village. Here you’ll find an information booth, excursion desk, Springer’s bar, and also shops. Whether you want to pick up some sunscreen that you forgot or want to buy some souvenirs, the shops here have you covered.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is part of the Bimini district of islands in the western Bahamas. It is 20 miles south of Bimini and is one of the closest islands to the US mainland. There’s a Luna Libre Party, picnic on the beach and you canbook a romantic Sunset Champagne Cruise and hopefully see a “green flash” asthe sun dips below the cloudless horizon. Alternatively, rigid inflatable rafts transportup to 3 and can be rented for the whole day.

An adjacent to Ocean Cay smaller isle can be privately rented. Ocean Cay is a private island in Bahamas owned by MSC Cruises. The Italian company announced its plans to buy a small Bahamian island in the end of 2015.

As just 65 miles southeast from the Port of Miami, it has the advantage of being reached in just a few hours. In fact, the island is so close that ships sometimes dock overnight — giving passengers all day at the island… and then some — and still be able to reach Miami within a few hours. What amazed me was the calmness of the waters in the lagoon. It was so windy, in fact, that the snorkeling excursion was cancelled because of the waves around the island.

By the way, 4 MSC cruise ships will be sailing to this private island, so you have some options there when it comes time to book. Ocean Cay offers unfettered beauty, with pristine sand and views of blue waters offshore at every turn. Miles of white-sand beaches include access to lagoons, bays and the Caribbean Sea. You can find uncrowded spaces to relax all over the island at the eight named beach areas. You can't stay overnight on Ocean Cay — but your ship might. Though MSC cruise ships stay at Ocean Cay into the evening and sometimes remain docked overnight for a two-day visit, there are no accommodations for guests on the island.

Here is a map of Ocean Cay to help you plan your day on the island. Ocean Cay is wired for Wi-Fi, so your onboard internet package will work on the island. Just connect your phone or device to Ocean Cay Wi-Fi and sign in as you would on board. A Discover Scuba diving center has been built but won't open until the cruise line has finished developing its diving program and tours.

An interesting fact is that when the MSC liner is berthed in Ocean Cay, all shipboard facilities and services (including the Casino) stay open and operational. The island purchase gave MSC cruise passengers an exclusive Caribbean destination, making MSC more attractive for its newly introduced North American itinerary program. As of November 2019, all MSC liners homeported in PortMiami call at Ocean Cay as part of their Caribbean itineraries. For someone like me who would rather relax and unwind during a visit to a private island than go for the adrenaline rush of an amusement part, I really appreciated this. As part of MSC’s coral restoration program they ask that guests use reef safe suntan lotion and sunscreen. This can be purchased in the gift shops on the ship and on the island as well.

MSC island's official opening for cruise shipping was once again delayed (mainly due to adverse weather / Hurricane Dorian) and planned for December 5, 2019. Hurricane Dorian's impact on the project resulted in the demobilization of all the 600 workers. Additionally, the heavy swells in early-November required the reinforcing of one of the beaches, building a second breakwater, sand leveling and additional landscaping in certain areas. Immerse yourself in white sand beaches, turquoise waters and Caribbean cuisine.

Search This Blog

DESIGN: The Samurai Way