Most of the major cruise lines own and market their own private islands; in some cases, these are not “islands” at all (I’m looking at you Royal Caribbean and Labadee). However, one private island that truly is both an island and private is MSC cruise line’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay has many great things to do, and you don’t need an excursion. Exclusive to MSC cruisers, this is one of my absolute private cruise line private islands.
It’s not a tender port, so you exit immediately onto a short pier, and just a short distance from the ship is an amazing beach with sugar-white sands and turquoise waters. Towels are not provided, so be sure to bring yours from the ship.
Related: 3 Things to Know About Cruise Ship Towels
Ocean Cay Excursions
Because Ocean Cay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to partake in an excursion (offerings include a lighthouse climb, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and snorkeling), you must book it directly through MSC. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here.
Ocean Cay is expansive, with many locations and opportunities for snorkeling (I recommend you save money and bring your own gear). You can rent an umbrella or cabana, but I’ve never had a problem finding a shaded spot for free, and ample chairs are available for cruisers at no cost.
If you branch out further from the port, you can escape the crowds, although due to the size of the island, this can be a bit of a hike. MSC does offer tram service, but it’s not particularly fast or efficient, and it does not take cruisers to all corners of the island. There is also a spa on the island if you’re looking for a day of relaxation, but these spots book fast in advance.
Ocean Cay Weather
Because Ocean Cay is in the Bahamas, the weather there is generally lovely year-round. I have noted, however, that this location seems to have quite a bit of wildlife activity. I’ve heard from other cruisers that there are often shark sightings, and on my most recent visit, the MSC marine biologists warned of a Portuguese Man o’War migration, so heed any warnings made by the cruise line. MSC has installed shark nets, or “shark barriers”, surrounding the beaches and lagoon entrances.
Wi-Fi at Ocean Cay
MSC does promote that their Wi-Fi works on the island, which would be a nice perk, but it has been spotty at best in my two visits there. They also promised complimentary food at Seaker’s Food Court, but they did not provide this on my recent sailing, likely because our docking was pushed back from 8 am to noon due to high winds. If you have a sailing that docks late or is delayed, don’t count on eating there. They have other snack bars with ice cream and other items for sale, which can be charged to your stateroom account.
Another thing I love about Ocean Cay is that it is often a long port call, with no rush to get back on board. MSC often offers it as a two-day overnight option. If you’re fortunate enough to visit there overnight, MSC offers a fantastic nighttime beach party, with a complimentary lighthouse laser show that you won’t want to miss.
Ocean Cay Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time across all islands. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, The Bahamas recognizes Daylight Saving Time in conjunction with the U.S.
Exploring Ocean Cay
Featured Clothing: CharmLeaks Bikini in Pink
