Some very exciting news was announced by MSC Cruises this morning and it is certainly a game-changer for the cruise industry in South Florida.
The company is investing $200 million to develop their own private island in the Bahamas, called Ocean Cay and from details revealed in today’s press release, it sounds like it just may be the best private island developed yet.
Private islands aren’t anything new to the cruise industry. Most of the lines that sail the warm waters of the Caribbean have their own, including:
- Castaway Cay – Leased by the Walt Disney Company and used exclusively by passengers of Disney Cruise Line.
- CoCo Cay (also known as Little Stirrup Cay) – Leased by Royal Caribbean International and called on by Royal Caribbean and sister line, Celebrity Cruises. This island is right next to the next one on the list, Great Stirrup Cay.
- Great Stirrup Cay – Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and called on by Norwegian and Oceania Cruises (owned by Norwegian).
- Princess Cays – Owned by Princess Cruises the island is for the exclusive use of Princess Cruise Line ships.
- Half Moon Cay – Owned by Carnival Corporation, the island is branded as Holland America Line‘s private island but is called on by both Holland America and Carnival Cruise Line ships.
- Labadee – Like CoCo Cay, this island is leased to Royal Caribbean International and is used by their brands including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.
With MSC Divina now sailing year-round from Miami and the new MSC Seaside arriving in Miami in December 2017, it was only logical for MSC to invest in their own private getaway for their passengers.
Right now, MSC rents days on several islands including Great Stirrup Cay, Half Moon Cay (which they bill as Little San Salvador), and CoCo Cay, so their guests can enjoy a beach day during their cruise vacation.
Highlights of MSC’s new island Ocean Cay include:
- A family beach with kids restaurant and play area
- Inland lagoon
- Zip wire that crosses the island
- Pavilion for weddings and other celebrations
- 2,000 seat amphitheater
- Multiple restaurants and bars
- Walking and running paths
- Bicycle rentals
- 11,400 feet of beach front spread across six beaches
However, the most important part of the island is this… unlike other islands that require you to take a tender boat from ship to shore, MSC will be building a berth and pier that will allow passengers to step off the ship right onto the island. No standing in line with tender tickets and port calls cancelled due to the ocean being too rough for tender operations! Hooray!
Also, while the ships are berthed at Ocean Cay, the casino and shops on board will remain open.
For guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club, a section of the island has been reserved for their exclusive use and contains private bungalows and massage huts as well as a spa and wellness sanctuary.
Of course it would only be fitting that the first ship to call on Ocean Cay would be the brand new MSC Seaside and even more fitting, the first call will be during her maiden voyage in December 2017.
Just another reason to be excited to be cruising with MSC in the future!
Check out the entire press release below:
Thursday, 17-12-2015
MSC CRUISES TO CREATE EXCLUSIVE BAHAMIAN MARINE RESERVE ISLAND EXPERIENCE FOR CARIBBEAN CRUISE GUESTS
Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie And MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago Signed Agreement Yesterday in NassauGeneva, Switzerland, 17 December 2015 – MSC Cruises, the Geneva-based global cruise line – number one in Europe, South America and South Africa – have unveiled ambitious plans to create an unprecedented exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas.
The visionary project was officially launched yesterday afternoon (16 December) in the Bahamian capital Nassau, where Prime Minister Perry Christie and MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease agreement that will enable MSC Cruises to occupy and develop the island, to be called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Over the next two years MSC Cruises will work hand-in-hand with the Bahamian Government and ecologists to develop the cay, a onetime sand extraction station, into a thriving marine reserve that will harmoniously coexist with the local ecosystem. This is a project that will transform the local economy base from resource exploitation to resource conservation.
And in keeping with the Company’s commitment to providing absolutely authentic cruise holidays, the island will offer some of the finest beaches in the world, amid an array of Caribbean-inspired experiences.
The family that owns MSC Cruises has more than 300 years of seafaring heritage, which has engendered a deep respect for the ocean that underpins the Company’s operations today. MSC Cruises is committed to protecting the waters it navigates and, as one of the most ecologically conscious cruise lines in the world, will invest around USD 200 million in creating a flourishing natural haven from a desert island.
MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago commented: “This is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean.”
“Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our shipboard experiences. We are scrupulous about ensuring every decision we take keeps each of our ships true to the promise of our brand, offering the authenticity and quality our guests expect. This is what made us the leading brand in many of the markets we operate, including across Europe, South America and South Africa. We will apply the same thinking and attention to detail to our Caribbean offering, of which this exclusive marine reserve will become a cornerstone, because we know our guests will be bowled over by this industry-unique experience.”
As well as being the only marine reserve island experience, at 95-acres (38.5-hectares) in size, and with 11,400 feet (3.5 km) of pristine beach front spread across six distinct beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be – by a large margin – the biggest island development by any cruise company in the Caribbean. In addition, it will offer a multitude of other key distinguishing features.
For example, a purpose-built berth and pier right on the seafront means that MSC Cruises guests will be able to step off the ship straight onto the island. This unique feature also means guests can move at leisure between ship and island, which will be especially useful since a key part of their visit will be the island’s night life, in particular live music and entertainment at the 2,000-seat amphitheatre, and many restaurants and bars. In addition, the ship and all onboard services – including the casino – will stay open while berthed at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
All installations and experiences on the island, which lies 20 miles (32 km) south of Bimini and just 65 miles (104.5 km) east of Miami, Florida, will be fully sympathetic to the culture and traditions of the Bahamas. A comprehensive landscaping plan will see more than 80 indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs, such as Jamaica Dogwood, Red, Black and White Mangroves, and Beach Morning Glory, expertly planted across the island. And there will be an architecturally faithful Bahamian village, plentiful restaurants and bars offering local specialities, a variety of shops and an inviting arrival centre with island-themed music gazebo.
For MSC Yacht Club guests, the northwest corner of the island has been set aside as an exclusive spa and wellness sanctuary, with private bungalows and massage huts.
Also, getting around the island will be a breeze, thanks to a network of walking and running paths, bicycle rentals and other stress-free transport options.
As well as all must-have water sports and beach games, other highlights include:
· A family beach with kids’ restaurant, play areas and other useful facilities
· A charming inland lagoon for absolute tranquillity
· A thrilling zip wire crossing the island
· A pavilion for weddings and celebrations
MSC Cruises plans to break ground on the development in March 2016, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will open to guests in December 2017.
The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve project will offer a permanent MSC Cruises presence in the Bahamas, for which the Company plans to recruit 240 Bahamians in various roles over 2016 and 2017. The cay will be ideal for all MSC Cruises ships serving the Caribbean region, notably MSC Divina and the under-construction next generation ship MSC Seaside (launching December 2017), both sailing from Miami, plus MSC Opera and MSC Armonia, sailing from Havana, Cuba. In addition, the Company will open a crew training school in Nassau to provide local manpower for the growing number of MSC Cruises ships sailing the Caribbean.
In the meantime, on 15 December MSC Cruises announced the opening of sales for the inaugural December 2017 cruises on MSC Seaside. Guests aboard MSC Seaside’s maiden voyage from Miami will be the first to visit the island and revel in the location’s abundant offerings.