Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve · the Bahamas
The island you walk onto.
MSC's own island, 65 miles east of Miami. Seven beaches on 95 acres, a hundred-foot lighthouse, and — the part that changes your day — a pier the ship ties up against, so there is no tender, no ticket and no queue number.
968 sailings call here · 7 ships · from $178 all-in
Photos courtesy of MSC Cruises
Ocean Cay opened on Dec 5, 2019 and sits in the Bimini chain, 20 miles south of Bimini itself. It is 95 acres with 2 miles of beach, and the furthest point from the ship is a 20-minute walk — golf carts run a fixed route for anyone who would rather not walk.
The seven beaches
They are genuinely different from each other, and which one you pick decides what kind of day you get.
Furthest from the pier. The quiet one, with open ocean in front of it.
Largest on the island, inside the lagoon. Shallow water and most of the watersports.
Across the lagoon from North. Open space for swimming.
MSC Yacht Club guests only. Its own restaurant and bar, butler service, cabanas to rent.
Closest to the ship, under the 100-foot lighthouse. Bean bags, fire pits, and the day-and-night entertainment.
Over half a mile long — the longest stretch on the island.
Next to the spa. The quiet, no-programming end.
What to know before the day
Straight from MSC's own FAQ, checked 2026-09-27. Where they don't publish something, we don't fill it in.
- Getting ashore
- Walk off the ship. No tender, no ticket, no queue number.
- Coming and going
- Your cabin stays open all day; take your cruise card and return whenever you like.
- Paying
- Your cruise card works everywhere on the island.
- Towels
- Take one from the ship or collect one at the island entrance — and return it there.
- Free vs paid
- Sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas are rentals. Lighthouse Beach has a limited number free.
- Closing
- Beaches close through the late afternoon, furthest first, all before sundown. Times move with the season.
- Watersports
- Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers and sailing catamarans, bookable pre-cruise, onboard or at the beach stations.
- Adults-only
- There isn't one. Every beach is open to all ages.
- Drones
- Permitted, but only with Bahamian Civil Aviation Authority certification and MSC's permission.
Which ships go, and what it costs
Every future sailing in our tracker whose itinerary calls at Ocean Cay. Fares are the cheapest all-in figure we have recorded for that ship — per guest at double occupancy, fare plus taxes and port charges, before the onboard service charge.
from $178 all-in · sails from Miami, Florida
214 sailings MSC World Americafrom $478 all-in · sails from Miami, Florida
194 sailings MSC Grandiosafrom $322 all-in · sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
143 sailings MSC Seashorefrom $231 all-in · sails from Miami, Florida, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
103 sailings MSC World Atlanticfrom $800 all-in · sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
33 sailings MSC Meravigliafrom $205 all-in · sails from Miami, Florida
4 sailings MSC Magnificafrom $19,709 all-in · sails from Barcelona, Spain, Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, Genoa (Portofino), Italy, Marseille (Provence), France
Sailing from 6 embarkation ports: Barcelona, Spain · Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy · Genoa (Portofino), Italy · Marseille (Provence), France · Miami, Florida · Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. The European departures reach Ocean Cay on repositioning crossings, not on a week in the Caribbean — check the itinerary before you book one for the island.
Sailing soonest
Island facts are MSC's own, from their Ocean Cay FAQ, checked 2026-09-27; photography is MSC's, used with credit. Sailing counts and fares are from our own daily capture and move every morning. Beach access, rentals and opening hours change with the season — confirm with MSC before you plan a day around one. MSC Roll Call is an independent fan site and is not affiliated with MSC Cruises.