MSC Cruises have delayed the opening of their private island in the Bahamas by almost a year, with the proposed opening date moving back from December 2017 to October 2018. The cruise line had hoped that the first cruise guests were going to be welcomed to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in just a year’s time, but changes to construction plans have necessitated a delay.
Although this will come as bad news to those passengers on itineraries visiting the private island during the first nine months of 2018, MSC Cruises maintain this is the best decision to ensure that the island’s facilities and offerings are of the highest quality. MSC Splendida and MSC Divina were both due to visit the island following December 2017, but these port calls will now be swapped for visits to Nassau.
MSC Cruise Line’s executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, explains the decision to delay the official opening of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: “As we set out to finalise construction plans for this one-of-a-kind destination, we realised that to ensure the level of quality and attention to details in both infrastructure and services that our guests have rightfully come to expect from MSC Cruises, it was only appropriate to allot a longer time frame.
“In fact, whilst working on the final project, it was hard not want to further enrich this unique beach destination with new and additional unique services for our guests. This naturally called for more time than originally planned. At the same time, I am also pleased to announce that works on the island have already started in earnest, as originally planned.”
As well as providing a paradise retreat for MSC Cruise passengers, the private island will also service as a marine reserve to help preserve and protect the local ecosystem. The project is being completed in collaboration with the Bahamian government and expert ecologists, helping future generations enjoy the splendour of the oceans.
The next few years look set to be busy for MSC Cruises. Alongside the development of this private island, the line is also looking to build and launch 11 new ships, including some of the biggest to ever sail under the brand’s banner.
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iImages sourced via MSC Cruises Press Area.
