If your MSC cruise itinerary includes a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, get ready for a totally different vibe than what you’ll find at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay. This isn’t a water park with pools and slides or a place you’ll go to get your fix of heart-stopping thrills—Ocean Cay is all about relaxation, natural beauty, and beach time. And when you’ve been here as many times as I have (over a dozen!), you start to develop your own traditions. One of mine? Renting a cabana and just spending the day doing absolutely nothing!
Ocean Cay: A Different Kind of Private Island
Let’s start with the basics. Ocean Cay is a former industrial sand-mining site that MSC Cruises transformed into a marine reserve and private island destination in The Bahamas. Unlike its competitors, MSC didn’t go for zip lines and lazy rivers. Instead, they focused on creating a destination that’s sustainable, peaceful, scenic, and designed for just one thing: unwinding.
You’ll find natural beaches, colorful coral reefs, and plenty (I mean that!) of space to spread out. There’s also a lighthouse with a nightly light show, bars, food trucks, and two pavilions that serve up a BBQ lunch, but the real draw is the beautiful shoreline that wraps around the island.
Renting a Cabana at Ocean Cay
One of my favorite spots on Ocean Cay is South Beach, especially when I book a cabana. These cabanas line the lagoon, offering easy access to swimming, bars, food trucks, and the closest buffet – Seakers Food Court. It’s a prime spot where you can soak up the sun or retreat into the shade just steps from the water.
MSC offers cabanas for full-day rentals, and if your cruise is lucky enough to have an overnight stop at Ocean Cay, you’ll sometimes find half-day rentals available for day two. You can book them online in advance or onboard at the Shore Excursions Desk. Just don’t wait too long—they’re popular and do sell out.
What’s Included with a Cabana?
Each cabana includes:
- A cooler stocked with ice-cold water (trust me, you’ll go through it!)
- Comfortable seating inside the cabana for shade
- Four sun loungers
- Two floating mats for lazy drifting in the lagoon
What’s not included? Butler service, food or drink delivery, and umbrellas (except Yacht Club cabanas)—but you don’t really need the umbrellas. The cabana itself provides enough shelter from the sun when you need a break from the rays.
Can You Choose A Specific Cabana at Ocean Cay?
Technically, no—you can’t choose your cabana number when you book. They’re assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at the cabana check-in hut on the island. That said, I’ve had success by chatting with the Shore Excursions staff onboard a day or two before arriving at Ocean Cay. Sometimes they’ll try to accommodate a request for a specific cabana, especially if you know the number or location you’re hoping for.
To help with that, take a look at the map below. It shows exactly where the cabanas are located and how they’re numbered:
- Bimini Beach (Green): Cabanas 1 – 11
- North Beach (Purple): Cabanas 12 – 19
- South Beach (Pink): Cabanas 20 – 37
- Yacht Club Beach (Orange): Cabanas 1 – 13 (exclusive to Yacht Club guests)
Each area offers something a little different. The lagoon side is calm and perfect for floating, while the ocean side gives you more waves and breezes. If you’re staying in the Yacht Club, those exclusive cabanas are just steps from your private beach and Ocean House restaurant.
Renting a cabana at Ocean Cay isn’t just about having a spot to stash your stuff or get out of the sun—it adds an extra layer of comfort and privacy to your beach day. If you’re the kind of cruiser who values a little space, some quiet time, and easy access to food and drinks without the crowds, it’s absolutely worth considering.
So next time your MSC cruise is headed to Ocean Cay, treat yourself. Find a shady seat, grab a cold bottle of water from the cooler, and float your cares away in the warm Bahamian waters. Trust me, it’s a vibe.