MSC Cruises will temporarily close its private Bahamian island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for six weeks next spring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cruise line said Ocean Cay will close to passengers from April 7 to May 22 “in order to make necessary guest experience enhancements and support the island’s future growth plans.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
MSC is in contact with impacted guests and travel advisors regarding updated itineraries and travel options.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The closure will affect four MSC ships: The MSC Divina and MSC Seascape, which will replace calls to Ocean Cay with another Caribbean port and will not otherwise change their itineraries; the MSC Seashore which will also replace Ocean Cay with another Caribbean port and may change some of its sailing dates and departures; and the MSC Meraviglia, which will offer Canada\/New England sailings instead of Caribbean ones during that time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ocean Cay was recently designated a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue, the nonprofit organization founded by oceanographer Sylvia Earle to promote the protection of marine ecosystems, joining a network of 154 Hope Spots that are recognized as critical to ocean health.<\/p>\n