Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve - Incredible Island Highlights Tour
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2021
- MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve is located 20 miles south of Bimini, Bahamas. Ocean Cay was originally created through the process of dredging and its sole purpose was to mine Aragonite sand which is widely used in marine aquariums. Before transforming the once industrial site, MSC Cruises had to remove 1,500 tons of scrap metal. Along with planting thousands of trees, shrubs and plants, this private island was designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, while allowing guests to enjoy their day surrounded by natural beauty.
On our incredible tour of Ocean Cay, we'll personally guide you around the entire private island highlighting spots of interest, things to do, venues to eat and drink, plus excursions featuring a climb to the top of the Lighthouse.
We'll also take you along for an inside look at the exclusive MSC Yacht Club experience on Ocean Cay and provide tips and insights along the way to make your day ay Ocean Cay even more memorable.
** Make sure you watch to the end for the nighttime Lighthouse Spectacular!
#MSCOceanCay #MSCCruises #OceanCayMarineReserve
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Have you been to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve? Let us know in the comments.
We're going soon, do you happen to have any info regarding snorkling & scuba diving availability as of 2021?
What is the story with the "yacht club: members only?" Is that a private area that you need to pay extra for, or is it just a fun theme or what? Are the lunches there at the club included? We are thinking about booking and want to know more about this place. Thanks
I was there for the first time last week. My first private island so I have no basis for comparison but it was beautiful. Very relaxing.
Hi T J, thanks for watching. I thought the island was very nice, will be even nicer as the plantings continue to mature.
Thank you for the awesome tour of MSC's private island! So looking forward to our visit in January, hopefully the weather will cooperate and it will be as beautiful as in this video!
Hi Jon, thanks for watching. I'm sure it will be nice at that time, hope you enjoy it.
I did some research and it’s incredible everything MSC did to get the island where it is today. Really impressive!
Hi Terrific Tara, thanks for watching. The island was an industrial mess when MSC took control. It is incredible how clean and unspoiled it looks today and will get better as plantings continue to thrive.
Hi! Yes, and they still have a lot of plans. They made a huge agreement with the Bahamas government to restore the island and marine life in exchange for the island. Along with lots of cash I’m sure!
@@TerrificTara If I remember correctly they even built a reef for sea life to return.
@@TalkingCruisehi .do you know what the times is the ship is docked on the island for?
I loved Ocean Cay when I there, a relaxing day of nature, sea and sunshine.
Hi Andreamargaret Lockhart, thanks for watching. I agree, Ocean Cay is nice place to spend the day.
Love this, can’t wait to see it !!!
Hi liv161, thanks for watching. Ocean Cay is very nice, especially now that many of the trees and plants have grown in.
Thank you for your great tour of the island!
Thanks John, I had a great time at Ocean Cay.
Great tour of the island thanks. Just trying MSC for the first time next month and a bit nervous. Glad to hear you love them
Hi Nan B, thanks for watching. Don't be nervous, have an open mind and you will enjoy yourself. MSC is a different cruise line from most, but after cruising with them on several ships over 17 years, I hold them in high regard.
Be open to have a more European experience.
I'm excited my ocean cay this coming May. I'm glad you uploaded this video.
Hi Астрокат Владимир, thanks for watching. Ocean Cay is a beautiful spot, enjoy!
Thanks for the elaborate tour. Seems like MSC created a very serene, natural experience.
However the first question of my eldest son at 8 years "is there a playground on the island?".
We don't need huge pools and waterslides but a small playground would be appreciated on the private island of THE family cruise line.
Also I think it is perfectly ok to charge extra for ice cream and watersports, but the umbrellas really should be complementary.
Frankly I don't get why I should pay money to climb the lighthouse since the ships are a lot higher and I can enjoy a full view of the island from the top deck and even get there with an elevator - and don't have to feed by vertigo ...
Hi Palim Palim, thanks for watching. I do believe there was a plan to add more kids activities on the island, but I don't think it has been completed yet. Unlike other private islands, Ocean Cay is really more about enjoying the natural environment.
This island 🏝 is beautiful. Your outfit match perfectly. That’s my favorite color.❤️❤️🚢
Hi Josi, thanks for watching.
Loving the new Blog format! Well done.
Hi Mike and Cheryl, thansk for watching. I am planning to continue with this format, but I personally prefer my "documentary" style videos and being on the other side of the camera.
I want to go here!! We have experienced Coco Cay Royal Caribbean and it’s way too commercialized now. We went before they converted it to an amusement park and I personally liked it better when it had a windswept portion.
Kudos to MSC for keeping this as nature intended!
Hi Caitlin, thanks for watching. I love CocoCay and all of the choices cruisers have there. I also really like what MSC have done with Ocean Cay. The more natural surroundings make it more relaxing.
Very pretty 🤩 am going next month with MCS , thanks for the video!
Hi Carl GouGou, thanks for watching. It's a really relaxing place to spend the day, enjoy!
Great overview! I fell MUCH more comfortable with my upcoming trip. I have booked the Seashore but was kind of going into it blind, knowing very little about what you can actually do on Ocean Cay (but I liked the idea of a natural island, instead of one full of "attractions"). Overall, MSC is a very different type of cruising. :)
Hi TXgalsaM, thanks for watching. If this will be your first MSC cruise, welcome onboard. I am very fond of MSC cruises and Ocean Cay is nice place to spend the day just relaxing.
Im excited l!!’ Next month
Great presentation. Can’t wait to go 😀
Hi Kim, thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video, I'm sure you'll have a nice time at Ocean Cay.
Chris, you look absolutely great! Happy for your weight loss!! 👍🏼👏🏼💕🤩
Hi Angelique, thank you so much for your comments. Health and wellness have been a focus of mine over the past 18 months.
Nice, friendly guy... Positive as well
Hi Phil, thanks for watching and your comments.
New subscriber! I was directed here by Emma Cruise. I'm thinking of booking over Xmas on MSC. This was a great vid on Ocean Cay. Thank you! - Eric in IL
Hi Eric, thanks for watching and subscribing. I've done many enjoyable cruises on MSC over the last 15 years and I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially with the newest ships. Ocean Cay is quite different from other cruise line private destinations, less commercialized, but still offers a good amount of services and is more about enjoying the surroundings.
I truly enjoyed your video. As time goes on and the palm trees mature the island will be more beautiful and welcoming. We are looking forward to our visit to Ocean Cay in May 2023. While we are the relaxing type, the limited activities are welcome, I suspect MSC will perhaps add attractions for the more active visitors in the future.
Hi Keith, thanks for watching. I don't think MSC is done with Ocean Cay, but they likely will no add too much to disturb the natural surroundings.
I would hate to see Ocean Cay turned into another Coco Cay. It is beautiful as it is. Coco has the appeal of an amusement park.
I have watched 2 of your videos so far and I love the way they are professionally done. Keep up the great work!
Hi William, thanks for watching. I try to do the best videos I can and your nice comments are sincerely appreciated.
Same here. *subscribed"
Thanks very much for this terrific video! Cruising on MSC for first time next month - excited to check out this new cay they've created! Two Questions: for a 3 night cruise do you think it's worth upgrading to YC if we bid and also do you know if you get all YC benefits when upgrading? I've heard mixed answers on this and MSC's T&C don't address this at all. Thanks again!
Hi Kari Carbone & Co., thanks for watching. Glad you are taking the plunge with MSC Cruises. MSC Yacht Club is truly fantastic and the Ocean Cay perks (beach area and dining) are amazing. Yes, you will get all of the benefits of YC, even if you upgrade, otherwise, what is the point. Just a recommendation, first check to see if you can upgrade directly for a price equal to or lower than your current bid amount.
Thank you for this video, im going to that lighthouse
Hi SimplyTine, thanks for watching.
Great video! We will be on the Seascape (first cruise!) this Sunday (Jan 22).
Excellent video
Thanks Iris!
Great video! Are any of the beach areas adult only - no kids? Do you have to walk to all the different areas or can you take a tram/golf cart?
Hi Alina, thanks for watching. No specific adult only beaches, but Paradise Sands and Sunset Beach have more secluded spots. There is a tram available from the welcome area.
Very nice.
Hi Mrs. Rahming, thanks for watching. It is beautiful, hope you get a chance to visit.
As a young boy in Miami in the late sixties I remember going over here in a 32 ft Chris Craft spending a couple of weeks diving on wreck's, we came here
While it was being dredged by the dillingham corporation to get on the lee side of a tropical storm that came up, we spent two days there, I partied with some bahamians and nasuvian workers. Ya'🚬man
Hi Guests, thanks for watching. Very cool, what MSC has done with Ocean Cay is awesome.
Beautiful am going there March 10
Hi Carrie, thanks for watching. Ocean Cay is beautiful, have a great time!
How was it???
I was there last month,because this is a new island ,so there are no fish and reef in the lagoon. Very much disappointed.but it is a beautiful island
Hi Tom, thanks for watching. It will take time for the reef to grow and support fish, but there have been a number of turtles seen swimming around.
Count how many times did he say ocean cay. Nice review thanks
Hi Jack, thanks for watching. Maybe next time we'll hold a contest to see how many times you can find me saying something. 😀
Hi ! Beautiful video. I Will go there for the summer and I am interested by the waverunner. Do you know if we can change during the activity. (Switch the driver to passenger and passenger to driver). Thank you
Hi Caro D, thanks for watching.It's been my experience that they require only one person be designated as driver, otherwise you'd need to get two machines.
@@TalkingCruise Thank you, we Will reserve two then.
The beach right by the ship, are there chairs there as well? We are interested in snorkeling and that water looks good, we like the option of getting off and on the ship to. Going in a few months.
Hi Jon, thanks for watching. Yes, you will find loungers on that area of beach near the ship. Lot's of people snorkel there.
Great video! We are traveling in the Spring on Meraviglia and will have a stop at Ocean Cay. The only Cabanas available to us (Yacht club was sold out unfortunately so we're Aurea) are Ocean Cay cabanas for $250. Are they at least near the water? It's difficult to tell and there seems to be no real info out there about them and the location. Thanks for any info!!
Hi Charlotte, thanks for watching. Other than the cabanas at the Yacht Club area on the Island, the other cabanas are spread out along the many beaches. For the most part, the cabanas are near the lagoon along Seekers Beach and South Beach.
Looks fantastic. Thank you for this great video. Looking forward to experiencing this Cay in October.
You didn't mention anything about a snorkel beach. Is that because the reef by this Cay was wrecked from all the dredging? Not sure if I should bring my snorkel gear or not. I don't mind if the only fish I see are Sargent Majors, Needle fish, stingrays and Parrot fish.
If they don't have any snorkel area, maybe consider dropping an old boat in a cove. Or a more ambitious project, an artificial reef. When I was in French Polynesia, they were building lots of artificial reefs there after destroying the natural ones by pumping their sewage into the sea.
Hi saracoslett3944, thanks for watching. There is great snorkeling available from the beach right across from the ship pier on Lighthouse Bay and also at Ocean Cay Lagoon, check out the bridge area.
Looks amazing I can’t wait to go on cruise 🚢 one day and good morning I hope everybody have bless day
Thanks Fatimah!
@@TalkingCruise you welcome
Is their bar service at the beach at seekers or the waterfront by the ship? Also do they have towels on the island? Or do I bring my own from the ship?
Hi Lito, thanks for watching. Yes, there are several bars close by the beaches with roaming servers. They do ask you to bring towels off the ship, but you can exchange them on the island for fresh ones.
Due to visit next April on Seashore, can't wait. Am I right in thinking there's a beach for Aurea passengers too?
Didn't see it on here.
Hi Stuart, thanks for watching. The only private section is for guests in Yacht Club. There is a spa section, but during my visit it looked abandoned and under soem type of refurbishment.
Hey, how did you like it? We were thinking of doing this. it seems reasonably priced. We have already been to the other ports of call on other cruises except for this place. The only thing is that our itinerary leaves here at 6:00 pm so we will not see the night time lights.
Just wondering where is the best beach to snorkel from to see the most aquatic life ? And can you rent snorkel gear on the island ?
Hi Sheep Dog, thanks for watching. You can rent gear on Ocean Cay. There are several spots to snorkel off the beach. Many enjoy the waters at Lighthouse bay, or South Beach.
Can you bring fishing gear or do they offer any fishing activities? Thanks for the tour, we're sold!
Hi MrFzzt, thanks for watching. As Ocean Cay is considered a marine reserve, I doubt they'd let you fish from their beaches. They may offer fishing excursions departing the marina.
does the casino stay open when the ship is docked at ocean cay, how long do you stay at ocean cay?
Hi Emily, thanks for watching. Hours at Ocean Cay will vary, casino is typically not open during that time.
Just look at this on Tubi info on how it looks before all of the fixing up I am coming next Lord willing!!
Hi jazzie cat, thanks for watching.
Hi. Is the drinks free at the light house if i bought the package ? And how much to go to the top ?
Hi Dereck, thanks for watching. Yes, you can use your drink package on the island. The cost to go to the top of the lighthouse was $15 when I was there.
Thanks. 😅
So, at the "Public Beach" do you have to rent or pay for something at all?
Hi Josh, thanks for watching. You do not need to pay for anything if you don't want to. Beach chairs and towels are complimentary as is lunch at the on-island buffet.
@@TalkingCruise Thank you so much, keep posting please.
Just watch this during the construction on national geographic... im just curious what it looks like now that's why im searching it through youtube..
Hi Japable, thanks for watching. Ocean Cay is a beautiful spot. MSC really make a huge impact from what it looked like before.
Didn’t go to the top of the light house
Hi richardwatts4544, thanks for watching. I really enjoyed climbing the lighthouse, great views.
Did you have to have a passport to get on this island during your cruise? Me and my wife are trying to figure it out.
Hi JSMR Experience, thanks for watching. They do not check passports when you get off the ship at Ocean Cay, but you may be required have one to get on the ship in the first place. I always recommend passports for any cruise, but if you have an original U.S. birth certificate and state-issued photo id, you may use those instead, as long as the cruise starts and ends the same cruise port (Miami to Miami, Port Canaveral to Port Canaveral etc.)
@@TalkingCruise getting on the ship to the carribean or off of the island?
Do we have to pay the buffet separately? How much per head?
Hi Anne, thanks for watching. The buffet is included with your cruise fare.
How long is the boat docked for
Hi fightbackfakenews, thanks for watching. The length of stay at Ocean Cay varies by itinerary. On the sailing where i filmed this video we arrived at 9am and stayed until around 10pm.
@@TalkingCruise thank you for the quick response. I appreciate u
Are you able to bring your own inflatables? Like small blow up rafts?
Hi Jon, thanks for watching. Yes, if they are small there should be no issue to use them on the island.
Do you paid for the food there on Ocean Cay? I was told, no? it come with you cruise
Hi jazzie cat, food from the buffet is included, but there are some alternative vendors like premium ice cream that do cost extra.
Is it ocean key or cay he keeps saying key which is correct?
Hi michaelcook1014, thanks for watching. Not sure why the pronunciation of Cay is such a hot topic, and people can and do pronounce it both ways, but those in the cruise industry know it is pronounced as "key". Only exception is Royal Caribbean's CocoCay, since the cay is part of their one word name branding.
👍
CAY... not Key... ?
Hi DAHCKRAM Studios, thanks for watching. You can call it whatever you want, but it should be pronounced as key.
Can an US citizen live and work on this island for MSC?
Hi Thomas, thanks for watching. I would imagine as long as a U.S. citizen was hired by MSC and had the required work permits, they could live and work on Ocean Cay.
My friends are there lol I'm at Royals Coccoa Cay. I feel really bad for them. And they have to visit it twice. 🤣
Been to Perfect Day at Cocoa Cay 8 times this year and I get excited when I see it on the itinerary.
Royal Caribbean spent $250 million on their island.
MSC spent $200 million. Why is the $50 million the difference in fun? Pay for umbrellas?!
Hi WCH, thanks for watching. Don't feel bad for them, Ocean Cay is great. Not everyone wants or needs a theme park island experience. CocoCay is very nice, been three times in the past few months already myself, but I'd prefer going to a real destination, instead of 2 other ports and CocoCay, which seems so be the new normal on 7 night cruises.
@@TalkingCruise im not sure what "real destination"means. You do realize that island is not how MsC found it. They had to bring in sand and trees. I guess my point is Cocoa Cay has anything for anybody. Don't want a water park island? Don't go to the water park. If you piece and quiet go to Beach Club, if you want party party, go to the Oasis Lagoon swim up bar. If you want a chill day on the beach, go to Breezy Bay, Chill island, or Miami Beach. The reason I feel bad for my friends is I know they are looking for that party party and I know they aren't getting it.
5 times to Cocoa cay this year. 7 more times coming up this year. So yea, you know I like it.
Hi WCH, Ocean Cay was an environmental mess before MSC purchased it. What I meant about real destination is one where you can explore authentic points of interest, history, beaches etc, without being in the confines of a manufactured experience. Don't get me wrong, I love the private destinations of every cruise line and look forward to them, but on a week or longer cruise, I'd prefer to have 3 ports of call, plus a stop at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean makes a point of having almost every ship stop there, because they make more $$$, then if they were to go to a traditional port. My point is, they are watering down the Caribbean cruise experience by giving guests less time in the actual Caribbean.
@@TalkingCruise We are strictly comparing private island to private island. I just watched another MSC video and they're telling me the drink package doesn't work on the island like Royals. If that's true, that alone is a no bueno. I don't spend a dime on Cocoa Cay. Pay for umbrellas?! Ha! Talk about nickel and diming. The wifi package shifts to the island too. Please don't tell me you spend a lot of money there when you went. Sure the Waterpark is extra, but I'm a have it and not need it kind of guy when it comes to things to do on an island.
Personally all I can say, is everytime is see Cocoa Cay on the itinerary, I get excited. And it's my 8 time there. I'm not sure if you get the same feeling about Ocean Cay. I'm sure the light house was exhilarating. Was it free?
How do you become a yacht club?
Hi Tanu Tema, thanks for watching. Yacht Club is an experience that is linked to and included when booking one of the Yacht Club accommodations onboard.
Can u apply online? I'm gonna be on my first MSC in December. Any tips for MSC?
Sir I want a job in bakery section 3 years experience in gulf
Hi Badola 😜 Anurag, thanks for watching.
Upsell time!
Hi Robert, thanks for watching. Upsell for what exactly?
@@TalkingCruise only a sales person would not get what I meant! Most consumers know when the push is on to get more from each consumer! That's an upsell!
Hi Robert, I know what an upsell is, but what specific context of my video are you referring to? Is it because there are extra things they try to sell you on island, no big surprise there.
I think I like Coco Cay better.
Hi MontiR Aruba, thanks for watching. I also enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay, but these two islands target very different cruisers.
Is it true that all MSC cruise lines are accepting unvaccinated guest, who only need to take a covid test 3 days prior to departure??
Hi Lisa Vs Lisa, thanks for watching. The rules vary depending on where you are embarking from. From the U.S., all guests 12+ must be fully vaccinated and show negative test result (taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing) . Children 2-11 must show negative test result (taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing) and will also be retested at the pier on embarkation day.
We will never ever cruise MSC. We had a group of 5 rooms reserved. Without notification, MSC changed route, which we halfway understood. Then MSC changed all our rooms from good rooms to crappy rooms, of course, all are were in different parts of the ship without any notification. Finally, they changed the mask & vaccine rules. At that point, we canceled with MSC cruise. MSC charged each of us $200, 10 people canceled which gives MSC $2000 for changing everything about the cruise. Now, MSC has 10 people who were cruising MSC for the first time. It also means there are 10 people who will never, ever cruise with MSC.
Hi Kenneth, that is unfortunate and sorry this happened to you and your party. I would push for a refund considering all the changes. It may take a while (I speak from experience), but be persistent.
Ocean Cay is just ok. No water park, no zip line, no water slide, etc, etc. Nothing like Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay or Norwegian Cruise's Great Stirrup Cay. But similar to Carnival Cruises Half Moon Cay (have visited a while ago). OC is strictly beachs with water sports (jet skis, paddle board, floaties). I've been there twice. 2nd time at OC this past summer, we had a 2-day (over night) stay. 1st day most people from the ship visited OC. The 2nd day few people got off the ship. If you're a beach person or water sports person you'll like OC. Other than that, it gets boring.
Hi George, thanks for watching. The fact that Ocean Cay has no water park, zip line or other amusements is exactly what MSC intended. They wanted the island to be as natural as possible, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a day and night surrounded by nature. Luckily, there are plenty of private destinations to fit each cruiser's needs.
@@TalkingCruise I love MSC as the name "RESERVED "defines it.
The water park at royal Caribbean is almost a 100 per person extra. Kind of pricey for the experience
" No water park, no zip line, no water slide, etc, etc. "
You have all of that on the ship. I don't mean that cynically, but you can always stay on board. You will even have most of the ship for yourself. And when you do feel for a swim in the real ocean, you can do it any time.
What I really appreciate is that MSC reserved a beach for the crew. They also have the right to relax and enjoy the beautiful Caribbean.
I am sure you will love the Icon of the Seas ...
Get a ticket for Disneyland. 😂