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An Ocean View Cabana also can accommodate up to six people. In addition to fresh water and towels, the rental price includes complimentary lunch and drinks, afternoon fruit skewers, four sets of snorkel equipment and four floating mats. These cabanas are on an elevated section of the beach, offering great views of the beach and waves. Around the entire island are a number of other things to do, see, and visit. This includes eight different beaches, shops, a spa, food trucks, a buffet, bars, cabanas, and even a wedding chapel. Unlike some cruise line private islands, any drink or Wi-Fi package that you have onboard the ship will work on Ocean Cay.
How can I visit Ocean Cay?
While some of the most popular beaches can get crowded at peak times, you can simply walk a few hundred feet and have a spot all to yourself. Until a few years ago Ocean Cay was an industrial spot where sand was excavated for use in other places. The cruise line has since transformed it into what it is today, as well as an eco-friendly marine reserve.
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It's also only 65 miles east of Miami, which is why it's such a convenient stop for MSC cruise ships that go in and out of PortMiami, as well as Port Canaveral. Here’s the scoop on MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay, and why you’ll love visiting its beaches again and again. They're found on the Yacht Club's private Ocean House Beach, so they're off-limits to non-Yacht Club guests. Everything else, including bars and rental stations, you can use your room keycard just like you do on the ship. Snorkeling/DivingOf course with so much gorgeous water surrounding the island, it’s a great place to snorkel.
The Lighthouse
Plan your 3, 4 or 7-night Bahamas or Caribbean cruise with the family and experience a unique tropical island suited for everyone. Voted "Best New Cruise Destination" - The Points Guy and "#1 Best New Private Island" - Porthole Magazine, it's a must-see destination making it onto everyone's bucket list. Rays, tropical fish and even sharks can be seen in the waters around the marine reserve, a protected area in the ocean that covers 64 square miles around the island. It is expected that more wildlife (fish and birds) will appear as the seagrasses continue to improve and the palm trees and other foliage grows. MSC and its partners got to work removing 1,500 tons of scrap metal, installing rock systems at the shoreline and planting 77,000 new plants and trees on the 95-acre island. Ocean Cay excursions are available and can be booked ahead of time online or at the Guest Services desk.
Spa treatments at Ocean Cay
During our cruise, not all of the beaches were open, due to low capacity numbers on the ship. Don’t worry -- even if MSC doesn't open all of the beaches, there will still be plenty of room on the island. Lifeguards are on duty at all beaches and you'll be able to tell the swimming conditions from the color of the flags (green is good; yellow is at your own risk and red is a big no). When you first see Ocean Cay from your ship balcony or window, the size can look daunting.
The Bahamas will hit cruise lines with tax on private islands - Travel Weekly
The Bahamas will hit cruise lines with tax on private islands.
Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Just sit and listen as the water crashes against the rocky point of the island. In fact, over 1,500 tons of scrap metal and waste had to be removed. Crews worked for weeks pulling rusted metal from the ocean and preserving some pieces that had become vital to the marine life around them. Most of the action on Ocean Cay tends to occur at Lighthouse Bay, South Beach, and Bimini Beach. After all, Lighthouse Bay and South Beach are the closest to the ship, and Bimini Beach offers some of the clearest water on the island. Although it doesn’t cost anything to use one of the many beach chairs on the island, having to pay for an umbrella was a bit of a bummer, especially since natural shade was limited.
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I was impressed with the variety of options, and everything was tasty. I had to ask for a veggie burger (they're not set out on the buffet), but it came out in minutes (versus on other lines' private islands where I've had to wait 10 minutes or more for my food). Ocean Cay is unusual in that it offers evening events, as the ship can stay late in port, given its proximity to the Florida cruise ports. A Junkanoo parade puts everyone in a party spirit and culminates in a laser light show on and around the lighthouse.
MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club beaches vs. regular beaches
Ashore beverage services have an add-on cost to the shipboard-offered drink packages. Also at extra cost are provided Wi-Fi, watersport equipment and cabana rentals. Ocean Cay Marine Reserve is MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas, and it’s everything you could hope for in a tropical paradise. With countless palm trees, eight beaches, a spa, and included food and drinks, it’s the ideal place to relax and unwind on an MSC cruise. Ocean Cay is technically two tiny islands connected by a footbridge. Beachgoers can choose from numerous oceanside or lagoon-facing beaches, each with its own vibe.
Access to Food and Beverage
If you are about to take a trip there, we’ve covered the spot from start to finish below, with everything you need to know. Cruises on this ship start at just $649 per person as part of the sale. Sponsored by the MSC Foundation, the facility serves tourists, as well as students and scientists (biologists, coral reef experts).
Ocean Cay is a bit different than other private islands operated by cruise lines. It doesn't have lots of family-friendly adventure areas such as kiddie splash zones and waterslides. There are no faux pirate ships or zip lines to keep your children amused. Evening activities at Ocean Cay include beach-side stargazing, nighttime paddleboarding on glowing paddleboards and sunset beach picnics. After dark, a light show plays across the island's iconic red-and-white lighthouse, and an evening junkanoo parade brings the party from the welcome area down to the beach. Most cruise line private islands are in The Bahamas, an archipelago that boasts that picture-perfect turquoise water and plenty of sandy beaches.
This guarantees you will be able to participate in the excursion, as well as saving you up to 20%. Ocean Cay does have a handful of standalone souvenir shops, with the usual array of T-shirts, shell artwork, beach wear and knick nacks. There is a store dedicated to Bahamian products and crafts.
From weekend getaways to family cruise vacations, a world of discovery awaits with MSC Cruises. Choose from 23 modern cruise ships sailing to over 250 of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations that offer something for every traveler. And for a unique luxury travel experience, the MSC Yacht Club is a ship-within-a-ship that features private access, 24-hour butler service, exclusive venues, and more.
Really, you'll find nothing here that you wouldn’t find in Nassau. The only weird thing about Ocean House -- while the rest of Ocean Cay has lovely restrooms, complete with showers and lockers in some cases, the entire Yacht Club area only has one nice unisex bathroom. MSC has brought in an upscale portable potty trailer but still… it's a trailer and not a standalone bathroom facilities. Speaking of Ocean House, the included lunch here is upscale and delicious.
The lighthouse features a viewing platform, as well as a bar at its base. At night it transforms into a colorful video screen, accompanied by music and a lightshow. Island's clean-up works included removing of 500+ tons of underwater debris (historic waste and scrap metal), before creating a solid seabed foundation. The project created 140 Bahamian jobs as permanently occupied employees (management, technical staff, attendants, lifeguards, rescue divers).
There are concrete walkways that weave around the island, but they are also used for the tram and for golf carts used by the staff. However, most people seemed to just put their stuff in or under a lounger and no one else messed with it. If you have your certification then you can book a one or two-tank dive from the island.
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