MSC Cruises Receives Approval for Private Island Overhaul

MSC Cruises announced it had received approval from the local government to expand and upgrade its Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve cruise destination in The Bahamas.

According to Eyewitness News Bahamas, the Bahamian Central Bank revealed in its Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report that MSC Cruises would dump around $100 million into Phase II of the project.

As part of the cruise destination overhaul, MSC will add new storm and drain management systems, entertainment areas, three new buildings for staff accommodations, a private yacht club, a solar farm and other amenities, per ENews.com.

Officials from MSC Cruises revealed the private island would temporarily close from April 7 to May 22, 2024, while construction takes place. Over 35 sailings will be impacted across four ships; MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, MSC Divina, and MSC Meraviglia.

Earlier this week, most of the itineraries for MSC Cruises’ 2024-25 winter season opened for booking. The cruise line is offering a large selection of voyages in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Europe and North America during the 2024-25 winter cruise season.

In July, MSC Cruises introduced a revised ‘Future Cruise Program’ that it says is designed to benefit travel agents and the line’s guests when a customer who had used an agency for their holiday at sea books their next sailing while onboard.

Under the new program, the original agents will receive full commission for any new booking made on board. The cruise line believes the new plan will allow agency resources to be better allocated and provide funds to foster new opportunities and customers.