Tag Archives: Bahamas

MSC Cruises delays the opening of the private island

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MSC Cruises has delayed the opening of its private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve over concerns the destination is not ready to host passengers.

The line will now welcome passengers to the island in the Bahamas on November 20 after scrapping four calls.

MSC had planned calls on November 9 on MSC Meraviglia, November 15 on MSC Seaside, November 16 on MSC Meraviglia and November 17 on MSC Armonia – all with paying passengers on board.

Speaking on board MSC Grandiosa on Tuesday, Antonio Paradiso, the line’s the UK and Ireland managing director, said: “The launch has been pushed back because the experiences were not quite up to the standard that we wanted it.

“We have given ourselves an extra 10 days to make sure that the guest experience is in line with what an MSC product is. It is a brand new island so it will take time.”

More:  MSC Cruises reveals details of a private island

MSC Cruises set to open Bahamas ‘Marine Reserve’

Paradiso said Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – which is 65 miles off the coast of Miami – showed how MSC Cruises was taking sustainability “seriously”.

“We have had hundreds of people planting the trees on the island and a coral keeper who is in charge of restoring the coral to help bring the fish back,” he said. “We are bringing back nature.

“The idea is to show our customers the natural beauty of a bohemian island.”

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will feature eight beaches, including the main beach where water sports will take place.

Lectures on the work the line has done on the former sand excavation site will be available on the island for visiting passengers.

Every MSC ship sailing from Miami on a Caribbean itinerary will call at Ocean Cay.

Coco Beach Club Set to Debut for Royal Caribbean

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Coco Beach Club

Royal Caribbean International has announced the Coco Beach Club at its Perfect Day at CocoCay private island.

Coco Beach will feature the first cabanas over water in The Bahamas and will have a capacity of 450 guests in total, according to a press release.

Coco Beach Club

Available to book now – the private, premium area will include 20 floating cabanas, and 10 landside cabanas each accommodating up to eight guests.

There will also be a club house, 2,626 sq. ft oceanfront infinity pool, complimentary dining at The Grille at Coco Beach Club, day beds, and elevated amenities and services.

To gain access to Coco Beach Club, guests sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay can book in advance for a fee on the cruise planner.

Carnival Corp. building private destination on Grand Bahama

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Carnival Corp. and the Bahamas government signed development agreements that pave the way for a Carnival-run port destination on Grand Bahama and the expansion of the company’s private island Half Moon Cay.

Among other things, the agreements provide for the construction of a pier at Half Moon Cay, which until now has been a tender port.

Carnival said the Grand Bahama project will represent an investment of over $100 million, and the development on Little San Salvador, where Half Moon Cay is situated, will be an estimated $80 million investment over time.

Once environmental and other permitting processes are completed, construction for both projects is projected to start by mid-2020. 

Carnival and the Bahamas said the projects are expected to play an important role in the country’s recovery from Hurricane Dorian. They said construction parameters will be designed to meet or exceed guidelines for “being able to mostly withstand the impact of a Category 5 hurricane.” Carnival’s plans for both projects were laid well before Dorian. 

The Grand Bahama project is intended primarily for Carnival Cruise Line and will be its first dedicated private destination in the Bahamas.

Some Carnival Cruise Line ship call at Half Moon Cay, which is primarily used by Holland America Line. 

Carnival Corp. said the current development on the western side of Little San Salvador covers less than 3% of the 2,400-acre island. The new addition will be on the northern part of the island and include a pier able to accommodate larger ships. The beaches of Half Moon Cay will continue to be the main attraction, Carnival said.