MSC Ocean Cay (Bahamas private island)

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. MSC negotiated with Bahamas Government to build an exclusive cruise port in the Caribbean.

The USD 200 million project was launched in Nassau, where country's Prime Minister and MSC's Executive Chairman signed a 100-year lease agreement. The deal gave MSC rights to occupy and develop the island as an exclusive cruise destination - officially named "Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve".

MSC Cruises private island Ocean Cay (Bahamas)

MSC's Bahamian private island is located off Bimini islands (westernmost district of Bahamas). The island is at short distance (approx 105 km / 65 mi) from Miami Florida, where for winter 2017-2018 MSC had 2 homeported ships (Divina and Seaside).

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.

The island is sized 95 acres / 38 hectares (0,38 km2 / 0,15 mi2) and is currently world's only private marine reserve. It has a 3470 m (11400 ft) long beachfront (across 6 beaches) and is surrounded by ~166 km2 (64 mi2) protected marine zone (sea waters). "Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve" is the biggest Caribbean private island development done by a cruise ship company. The waters surrounding Ocean Cay Island feature coral reefs and ~90 different fish species. No motorized water sports are allowed. Water-based activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling (on a 1,5-hour tour to the nearby cay) and scuba diving (with PADI-certified instructors). Lifeguards constantly monitor island's beaches. A shallow lagoon (Seakers Family Cove) was specially designed for young kids.

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). An adjacent to Ocean Cay smaller isle can be privately rented.

The USD 200 million development project was initially scheduled for completion in December 2017. However, in September 2016, MSC announced that "in order to ensure quality", Ocean Cay will be operational and open to cruise ship passengers in October 2018. Because of the delay, Divina's and Seaside's scheduled visits (December 2017) were substituted with Nassau. Works were then rescheduled for completion in mid-November 2019, with all 4 MSC liners visiting weekly (on different days). These are Meraviglia, Seaside, Armonia and Divina. 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.

In November 2018 started the planting of over 75,000 native plants, including 60 types of Caribbean grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees. Soon are expected to start construction works on around 100 structures, including restaurants and bars, accommodations for local staff and employees ((living on the island/~300 people), marine laboratory (to research climate change-resistant corals), Lighthouse (island's landmark and evening entertainment venue), deep-water pier (docking facility). The seabed surrounding the island will be repopulated with various marine life.

MSC Yacht Club passengers enjoy exclusive access to the island's northwest corner, where is located a spa and wellness complex (including private bungalows and massage huts). Part of the project are also walking and jogging paths around the island. Bicycle rentals are also offered.

Among the amenities available on the new MSC "Caribbean island" destination are also:

• 6 beaches, including an exclusive Yacht Club Beach (VIP), crew beach, and family beach (with a restaurant)
• water sports, beach games, kids' playground areas
• an inland lagoon (adults-only)
• zip-line (across the island)
• weddings / private parties/celebrations pavilion
• amphitheater (capacity 2000 seats) hosts live music and entertainment
• several restaurants and bars, retail shop (souvenirs, vacation essentials)
• The electricity needed for all land operations is generated by solar panels.

Self-service restaurant offers food at nominal cost. At all beaches, food carts sell hamburgers and hot dogs. 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.

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 following image show's island's kids beach area.

In mid-January 2019 was announced that Ocean Cay Island will be opened on November 9, 2019, during the scheduled port call of MSC Meraviglia. Next table shows this "inaugural" 13-day itinerary (repositioning cruise from NYC to Miami) as call ports and times.

13 days, one-way from New York to Miami New York

However, the island's official inauguration was on November 18, 2021, which was a double ceremony held together with MSC Seashore ship's christening ceremony at Ocean Cay. The special event was attended by Seashore's godmother (Sophia Loren), top-rank employees (Pierfrancesco Vago /MSC's Executive Chairman, Gianni Onorato /MSC's CEO, Ruben Rodriguez /MSC North America's President, Allen Clifford /MSC USA's Executive VP), as well as major stakeholders, travel agents, media. This was the world's first-ever ship naming ceremony held at a private island.

Ocean Cay Island's proximity to Miami allows late-evening departures, with port stays between 7-9 am and 11 pm.

In July 2023 MSC announced that in 2024 (April 7th thru May 22nd) Ocean Cay will be temporarily closed for renovations. The infrastructure development project includes island enhancements and new amenities for the visiting tourists, staff accommodations (new buildings for 130 people), as well as technical and environmental improvements. Among the new amenities and facilities are Excursion Centers (for watersports activities and land tours support), a Dive & Snorkel Center, new food and beverage outlets. The project also includes the installation of a third solar farm (to generate electricity for local consumption), a wastewater treatment plant, improved vegetation and anti-erosion landscaping (native and adaptive plants/trees, shrubs, grasses).

Also new on the island is the Marine Conservation Center. Sponsored by the MSC Foundation, the facility serves tourists, as well as students and scientists (biologists, coral reef experts). The building has several interactive pavilions, a lecture hall (for conferences and also providing educational opportunities), and coral exhibition tanks.

MSC Ocean Cay cruise terminal