GENEVA — MSC Cruises has announced further enhancements to its private island destination in TheBahamas that will include new excursion centres and facilities that support marine conservation and education.

The agreement for the new development program for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve was signed on Nov. 23 at a ceremony attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Philip Davis, and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper.

The program builds onto the original vision for the island, which was to benefit the environment and local communities in the long-term. 

Enhancements will include the following:

• Guest facilities will be enhanced with the introduction of excursion centres to support watersport activities and island tours, a sea dive and snorkel centre, and additional food and beverage outlets
• The MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Centre will be built as a base for biologists, coral reef experts and students. It will also house interactive pavilions, a lecture hall and coral exhibition tanks, and provide MSC passengers visiting the island with educational opportunities about the importance of the marine ecosystem and conservation.
• A third solar farm will be installed as part of MSC’s goal to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions for Ocean Cay. There’ll also be an advanced wastewater treatment plan as well as a landscaping plan that includes native and adaptive trees, grasses and shrubs wo provide erosion control, improve vegetation and support ecosystem health.
• New accommodation buildings will provide additional amenities for island staff, which will see an increase from 150 to 280 members.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is also home to the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Program, which is considered a critical contribution in the understanding of coral reef resilience throughout the region. 

MSC Foundation supports graduate student programs designed to mitigate changes in thermal resilience of coral reefs throughout the tropical Western Atlantic. The coral nurseries at Ocean Cay are thriving with young and healthy, yet critically endangered species of endemic reef building corals.

On Nov. 23, MSC Cruises also pledged to support the LIM Maritime Academy and the University of The Bahamas to enhance the training of Bahamians seeking to enter the maritime sector.

MSC Cruises will deploy its largest capacity in the North American market during the winter 2023-24 season with five ships – MSC Divina, MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seascape and MSC Seashore – all vessels visiting Ocean Cay.