Cruise line private islands have been on a one-way trend. It seems that each announcement and update is meant to make the spots bigger with more to do, see, and experience. Far from a quiet private beach to spend a beautiful day, cruise lines have pushed more toward turning islands into amusement parks, complete with zip-lines, waterslides, massive pools, and more.
But now one major cruise line is bucking the trend and going in a very different direction.
Ocean Cay Sees Upgrades… But MSC Plans a New Island
MSC Cruises has for years offered its passengers Ocean Cay. As far as cruise line private islands go, it’s relatively subdued. The massive island in The Bahamas has tons of beach space, including a number of coves to allow passengers to enjoy the electric blue water with calm currents no matter the weather.
A couple of months ago the cruise line announced that Ocean Cay would be getting a major renovation. Additions to Ocean Cay include new dining spots, an adults-only area, kids splashpad, and more.
The upgrades will also include a longer pier giving the ability for two ships to dock at once. In other words, there will likely be a lot more people visiting on a single day.
But for those that enjoy the relative calm and ample space that comes with Ocean Cay compared to other private destinations, the cruise line has good news.
Sandy Cay: High-End Luxury Off the Ship
Today, MSC Cruises officially announced a new private island, which it has called Sandy Cay. MSC had said it was working on a second private island when it announced the updates to Ocean Cay, however, it didn’t offer many details. Now we’re getting a few more.
Sandy Cay is set to be near Ocean Cay but set apart from it, and “offering a more secluded escape and inviting guests into a quieter, deeply immersive connection with the natural rhythms of the ocean and the spirit of The Bahamas.”
What does that mean? While not a ton of explanation has been provided, the cruise line did share a rendering that explains a lot.
Pictured above, you can see an island that sits in the middle of gorgeous blue water with five different protected coves. Palm trees cover the island, along with a number of smallish buildings and multiple swimming pools.
What you don’t see are waterslides or basketball courts. You don’t see zip lines or massive party pools. Instead, it looks like a high-end luxury retreat.
While the details are still sparse, MSC has said that Sandy Cay has been “carefully envisioned as a destination designed to offer a more intimate yet elevated and immersive experience.”
And it’s not just MSC Cruises that will visit. It’s also designed for the company’s high-end Explora Journeys cruise line as well.
In other words, it seems Ocean Cay will be the spot for passengers to play, while Sandy Cay looks to be the spot to relax in luxury.
Set to Arrive in 2028… Expect More Details in the Months Ahead
If you’re excited about the look of the new Sandy Cay, you’re not alone. But we all have a while before we can visit. The cruise company says that it won’t open until 2028.
As well, there’s no word on how the new island will work. For instance, will there be a charge to visit Sandy Cay or will anyone be able to go? There is also no mention of dining or facilities on the island, so it’s not clear what exactly passengers will experience once they get there.
For now, however, passengers who enjoy something quieter and more luxurious than what’s normally found on private islands appear to have something to look forward to in a couple of years.
