MSC Cruises, a rapidly growing player in the North America cruise market, has announced plans to develop a 95 acre island in the Bahamas, to be exclusively accessed by MSC ships and guests.
The sandy Bahamian island, located between Bimini and Miami, is to be named Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and will be developed over the next two years, officially opening in December 2017. Over the course of the next two years, MSC Cruises will work together with local Bahamian authorities and ecologists to develop the sandy cay into a thriving marine reserve and island destination.
The new island is slated to offer a plethora of amenities and experiences, including nearly 12,000 feet of sandy beaches; a 2,000 guest amphitheater, featuring local performers and exciting nightlife; an authentic Bahamian village, complete with restaurants, bars, and shops; and for MSC’s Yacht Club guests, a spa and wellness sanctuary, featuring private bungalows. Other features on the island include a family beach, watersports, a tranquil lagoon, and an island wide zip line.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will also feature a shoreside pier, allowing all of MSC’s ships to dock and offer a leisurely and easy transition between ship and shore for guests. In addition, MSC announced ships docked at the island will continue to operate all onboard services and venues, including the casino.
“Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our shipboard experiences,” commented MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago. “We ensure every decision we make 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 amazed by this industry-unique experience.”
MSC Cruises, while not revealing specific itineraries, has said the new island will be a perfect fit for a number of ships sailing in the Caribbean, including MSC Divina and the soon to sail MSC Seaside.
