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!
Looking for the full island? See my 2026 Ocean Cay map for every beach, bar and restaurant.
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 food halls, Seakers and Boho, 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 Hall. 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 reserve one in the MSC for Me app before or during your cruise, or onboard at the Shore Excursions desk. Just don’t wait too long, because they’re popular and do sell out.
How Much Does a Cabana at Ocean Cay Cost?
As of July 2026, a full day cabana on North Beach or South Beach was $299. Prices can vary by sailing, but that price has been pretty consistent for a long time. Cabanas hold up to six people, so if you split it with your group it works out to about $50 each, which isn’t bad for a whole day of shade and space on the beach.
What’s Included with a Cabana?
Each cabana includes:
- A cooler stocked with ice-cold water (trust me, you’ll go through it!)
- A shaded cabana with a lounger, a chair and a table inside
- Four strap loungers outside
- Two floats 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.
Cabana or Relaxation Set: What’s the Difference?
If a cabana is more than you need, MSC also offers relaxation sets on North Beach and South Beach. A relaxation set is an umbrella and two strap loungers, and that’s it. These loungers used to be free, but now they’re a paid rental, so don’t count on grabbing a lounger and umbrella on the lagoon beaches without booking one. You can reserve them the same way as a cabana, in the MSC for Me app or at the Shore Excursions desk.
Here’s how I’d think about it:
- Pick a cabana if you’ve got a group, want real shade with a place to sit at a table, and like having cold water and floats waiting for you.
- Pick a relaxation set if it’s just two of you and all you really want is an umbrella and a couple of loungers by the water.
If you’d rather not pay for either, the orange umbrella icons on my Ocean Cay map show the spots with free umbrellas. Just get there early.
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 to 11
- North Beach (Purple): Cabanas 12 to 19
- South Beach (Pink): Cabanas 20 to 37
- Yacht Club Beach (Orange): Cabanas 1 to 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.
Ocean Cay Cabana FAQs
How much does a cabana cost at Ocean Cay?
As of July 2026, a full day cabana on North Beach or South Beach was $299. Prices can vary by sailing, but that price has been consistent for a long time.
How do I book a cabana at Ocean Cay?
You can reserve a cabana in the MSC for Me app or onboard at the Shore Excursions desk. They’re popular and can sell out, so book early.
What comes with an Ocean Cay cabana?
Each cabana has a lounger, a chair and a table inside, four strap loungers outside, two floats and a cooler stocked with water. Butler service and food or drink delivery aren’t included.
Can I choose a specific cabana number?
Not when you book. Cabanas are assigned at the cabana check-in hut on the island, but the Shore Excursions staff can sometimes honor a request if you ask a day or two before you arrive.
What is a relaxation set at Ocean Cay?
A relaxation set is an umbrella and two strap loungers on North Beach or South Beach. They used to be free, but now they’re a paid rental you reserve in the MSC for Me app or at the Shore Excursions desk.
Are there restrooms near the cabanas?
The cabanas don’t have their own restrooms, but there are restrooms located all around the island, so you’re never far from one.
Good info. need to add cost, although I know it does vary a bit.
$299 for a full day. Any cabana. Was just there two weeks ago and rented one. Half day is less for days ship are overnight.
on our 8 June on Seaside, we overnight, but 2nd day prices are same as 1day full cost. But maybe because we do not sail on 2nd day until 4pm??
Wish we could reserve YC cabanas that are on the ship in advance, but need to wait until on board.
Ah yes, that’s considered a whole day. When they leave at 12pm or 1pm it’s half price.
Which cabana location is the best to rent beside YC?
Hi – Personally, I always rent 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 each time I’ve gone and I’ve been there dozens of time. I like that it’s right on the lagoon, a quick walk from the ship, close to the restrooms, Seakers Buffet, a bar, the tram stop, and food trucks. I’d have a hard time adjusting to one in another location!