How to have a great time at MSC’s Ocean Cay without spending any money

One of the best things about cruising is the great places you can visit, but excursions can be expensive, some even costing hundreds of dollars for families.

But there is good news for MSC cruisers visiting the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. You can have an incredible day without spending any extra money. Not a dime

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (Ocean Cay) is MSC’s exclusive island in the Bahamas, just 65 miles east of Miami, and offers an idyllic secluded paradise. Best of all, you can enjoy a day in paradise without adding to your cruise bill. Who doesn’t love that?

So you can spend your day on Ocean Cay without breaking the bank.

Overview of Ocean Cay

MSC Cruises has repurposed the island, converting it from an industrial site and turning it back into a natural Bahamian island teeming with vegetation and marine life. The waters surrounding the island are once again welcoming fish and other aquatic creatures, making it perfect for snorkeling.

Located in the sunny Caribbean Sea, Ocean Cay’s weather is ideal for cruise ships year-round, with daily highs of 80 to 90 and warm sea temperatures. Great weather for varied activities.

Ships dock at Ocean Cay’s pier, making it an easy port stop, and you can always return to the ship if you forget something. Getting around is a breeze, with numerous hiking trails and free transportation that runs all over the island.

What you need to know for your visit

Before you set off for the day, there are a few things you should know to make the most of your visit.

Bring a towel, water bottle, swimsuit, snorkel gear, and other appropriate gear and clothing for any activities you plan to do. Don’t forget the important sunscreen and a hat. There are free lockers in the washrooms for those who wish to store belongings during the day visit.

If you plan on walking a lot, a comfortable pair of shoes or running shoes is a good idea. The island is big and there are many places to explore. For families with younger children, bringing along sand toys can make a day at the beach even better.

With that settled, now for fun. Here’s a fun day out on Ocean Cay at no extra cost.

Enjoy the beaches

Ocean Cay has not one but 8 beaches for you to enjoy while on the island. These include free loungers with umbrellas or some natural shade.

One of the most popular is South Beach. Not far from the Welcome Center, if you walk down the main boulevard, you can’t miss it. The water at South Beach is very calm, with soft sand, and there are lifeguards on duty. Close to the main restaurant, a bar and washrooms, nothing is far away. It overlooks North Beach, which you can access via a small bridge that had very few people on it the day we visited.

There are several other beaches as well, including Lighthouse Bay, which offers great views of the ship; It’s also popular with families. Colorful umbrellas line the beach with chairs and loungers, also free.

To go for a walk

For a break from the beach, the island offers numerous trails that take guests across the two islands that make up Ocean Cay. There are many signs throughout the island making it easy to get around, in addition to free transportation everywhere.

There are many secluded beaches and beautiful tree-lined walkways to explore. On my visit I was blown away by the scenery all over the island and the remote areas that feel like a desert island. MSC has planted 80,000 plants, trees and shrubs on this island, adding to its lush atmosphere. The new vegetation has also attracted numerous birds, which now make Ocean Cay their home.

Not to be missed is the island’s signature lighthouse. With its distinctive red and white stripes, it is easy to spot from afar. It’s a great place to take photos or relax on one of the sofas at the viewpoint next to the bar.

snorkel

The Bahamas is known for its marine waters and marine life, and MSC has gone to great lengths to revitalize marine life on this island. They have relocated 400 coral colonies and are a great base for spotting fish and exploring the crystal clear waters.

You can rent gear (for a fee), but it’s best to bring your own snorkeling gear to take advantage of these bountiful waters, which are home to coral, seagrass, conch and lobster, and many species of fish.

There are outdoor showers and changing rooms so you can wash off at the end of the day.

Treat yourself to a Bahamian feast

MSC passengers can choose from a range of free dining options on the island, including a buffet and some food trucks. Seakers Food Court is an open-air venue that offers a wide variety of food, with many covered sears. It opens at 11:30am and runs in the late afternoon (4:00pm).

It has a fairly extensive menu with a variety of salads and protein options like hamburgers, hot dogs, pork chops, sausage, and ribs, along with jerk chicken and fish, to name a few. There are lots of great side dishes, including fries, corn on the cob, and macaroni and cheese. For dessert there is a lot of fresh fruit, biscuits and other sweet things.

Inside you can refill your water bottle, or if you have a drinks package, there’s a bar area in the food court where you can use your onboard account to purchase beer and soda. There are bars nearby for something more substantial.

There are a few food trucks all over the island. The Beach Shack serves popular grilled specialties including pasta salad, fries, and brownies, all for free.

Cool off with a drink

If you have a drinks package with MSC – good news – it works on the island too. If you don’t want that, bring a water bottle that can be refilled at the buffet.

There are a variety of bars across the island so you never have to go far to find a drink. One of my favorites is the Lighthouse Bar which has incredible sea views and was fairly quiet the day we were there.

If you don’t have a drink schedule, fill up your water bottle before disembarking. The only place I was able to fill up was Seakers Food Court even though it doesn’t open until 11:30am. The bars only have canned water that they sell.

Do fun activities

Ocean Cay offers a wide variety of activities, some of which come at extra cost, like kayaking, boat tours, jet skis, stand-up paddle boarding, and it even has a spa.

However, for those looking to save their money, there are many ways to enjoy this island. The day of our visit featured a variety of free activities including volleyball, hang gliding, a treasure hunt, and bocce ball.

You don’t have to buy anything, but it’s fun to browse the island’s shops, which are located near the dock. Housed in colorful Bahamian-style buildings, they sell many Bahamian products the islands are known for, including straw and sponges. Personally, I’ve enjoyed chatting with local Bahamians who work in the retail stores and live on the island.

Dance the night away

One thing not to be missed on Ocean Cay is the free nightly activities. This is especially nice; When the sun goes down, the temperature drops to more comfortable temperatures and you can enjoy the island in a different atmosphere.

The Junkanoo Parade is one of the best things to do on Ocean Cay throughout the day. Junkanoo is a famous Bahamian tradition where dancers and musicians come together to celebrate, usually around Christmas, but luckily MSC puts on a show all year round.

Dressed in incredibly colorful costumes with beautiful feathered hats, it was a sight to behold. The musicians followed with drums and shakers, creating a magical, repeating beat. They traveled the main island route, danced with the passengers, and everyone had a wonderful time.

There’s also a music party with lights and pumping music at the lighthouse to end a perfect day.