MSC Cruises unveils new luxury private island destination
MSC Cruises is focusing on quiet luxury as it expands its exclusive destination offerings in The Bahamas to support its growth in North America.
In addition to making upgrades to its popular private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, to accommodate more visitors and add more amenities in 2027, MSC is making way for enhanced exclusivity with a complementary island development project.
The next phase of MSC Cruises' Bahamas expansion will open in 2028 to elevate the global cruise company's "vision of delivering truly unique and authentic travel experiences," MSC Group's Cruise Division revealed in a press release.
The company is building a new luxury private island destination in Bahamian waters adjacent to Ocean Cay that will be open to passengers sailing with MSC Cruises and its luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys.
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MSC Cruises to open luxury private island, Sandy Cay, in 2028
Designed to immerse visitors in the quiet, natural rhythms of the ocean and spirit of The Bahamas, Sandy Cay will be a secluded, intimate complement to Ocean Cay.
Sandy Cay's serene environment will be shaped around pristine aragonite sands, which are among the purest and brightest in the world. The island will be defined by the same nature-focused philosophy as Ocean Cay, with a more intimate, elevated, and immersive feel.
Related: Inside Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay renovations
Sandy Cay will open in 2028 to offer a new escape for MSC Cruises' and Explora Journeys' passengers as the next step in MSC's vision to deliver experiences that combine relaxation, discovery, and deep respect for the natural world.
The development of Sandy Cay alongside thoughtful enhancements to Ocean Cay demonstrate MSC's commitment to elevating its offerings for guests while respecting the natural environment and beauty of The Bahamas.
MSC Cruises to open new beach club in Grand Bahama
In addition to enhancing its private island offerings in The Bahamas, MSC recently finalized an agreement to build a new beach club in Grand Bahama that will bring a new resort destination experience for passengers to enjoy during sailings to the region. MSC is set to develop an MSC Beach Club destination for MSC Cruises' and Explora Journeys' passengers as part of major redevelopment project underway at Grand Bahama's Grand Lucayan Resort.
Plans for the transformed resort include a beach hotel and casino resort, a new Greg Norman Championship Signature Golf Course, a mega-yacht marina, and two resort destinations for cruise passengers: MSC Beach Club and Ancient Waters Cruise Resort, which will be operated by a local Bahamian company and open to cruise passengers from other cruise lines.
Related: MSC Cruises to build new Bahamas beach club amid major growth
The new beach club project expands MSC's $450 million investment in Grand Bahama to increase cruise capacity and enhance the visitor experience by reimagining the Freeport, Grand Bahama cruise port. Across its projects in Grand Bahama, as well as Ocean Cay and Sandy Cay, MSC is investing nearly $1.5 billion in The Bahamas.
MSC Cruises currently sails to The Bahamas from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida - which will serve as home port to MSC's new U.S. flagship, MSC World Atlantic, launching in November 2027.
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This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM.