Ocean Cay, a new cruise port in the Bahamas under development by MSC Cruises, will now open in October 2018, 10 months later than originally scheduled.
The cruise line purchased the 85 acre island in the Bahamas and is in the process of transforming it into the only marine reserve island experience for cruise passengers. The island will also have a dock so there will be no need for tendering.
MSC Cruises said the reason for the new opening date for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve was to ensure the level of quality and attention to detail that guests have come to expect from the cruise line. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, gave the following statement:
“As we sat out to finalize construction plans for this one-of-a-kind destination, we realized that to ensure the level of quality and attention to details in both infrastructure and services that our guests have rightfully come to expect from MSC Cruises, it was only appropriate to allot a longer time frame. In fact, while working on the final project, it was hard not to further enrich this unique beach destination with new and additional unique services for our guests. This naturally called for more time than originally planned.”
Work is officially underway on Ocean Cay with a ground breaking ceremony scheduled to be held on October 6, 2016. In attendance will be the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Right Honourable Perry G. Christie, and other high dignitaries from the country’s government.
Cruise ships that were scheduled to stop at Ocean Cay (MSC Seaside, MSC Divina) will now call on Nassau as a replacement until the island is completed. For itineraries that already have Nassau as a scheduled stop, a different port will be added to replace Ocean Cay.
Working in collaboration with the Bahamian Government and ecologists, MSC Cruises is developing the cay from an industrial site, into a flourishing marine reserve that will harmoniously co-exist with the local ecosystem. This is a complex project that will transform the local economy base from resource exploitation to resource conservation and provide a unique, authentic Bahamian experience exclusively for MSC Cruises guests.
This $200 million project will convert Ocean Cay into one of the best private cruise destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The island will have six different beaches, an exclusive spa and wellness sanctuary for MSC Yacht guests, an inland lagoon for absolute tranquility, a thrilling zip line that crosses over the island, and a pavilion for weddings and celebrations.
Nassau was already part of the Itinerary, MSC as usual are trying it on again.