MSC Cruises opens bookings for cruises to new luxury private island
If relaxing on a serene, intimate island defined by some of the world's purest and brightest sands sounds like your ideal beach day, you can now start making plans for your getaway.
MSC Cruises is developing a new luxury private island in The Bahamas to complement its popular Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and bookings for the first cruises to the island just opened up.
Sandy Cay will offer an elevated private island experience designed to immerse visitors in the quiet, natural rhythms of the ocean and spirit of The Bahamas. Shaped around pristine aragonite sands, Sandy Cay will combine luxurious vacation experiences with a deep respect for the natural environment and beauty of The Bahamas.
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First cruises to Sandy Cay will sail in summer 2028
Open to both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys passengers, Sandy Cay will open in 2028, bringing a new luxury experience to sailings that visit Ocean Cay. Although MSC hasn't yet revealed the exact opening date for Sandy Cay just yet, the cruise line announced that newly released summer 2028 sailings will be the first to offer passengers the chance to visit the luxury island retreat on cruises to Ocean Cay.
MSC's summer 2028 cruises to Ocean Cay include week-long vacations and short three- and four-night getaways from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida across four ships.
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From Miami:
- MSC World America will offer seven-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with all itineraries featuring a stop at Ocean Cay.
- MSC Seaside will sail three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Ocean Cay and Nassau with select four-night sailings offering an overnight stay at Ocean Cay.
From Port Canaveral:
- New ship MSC World Atlantic will sail seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with all itineraries featuring a visit to Ocean Cay.
- MSC Grandiosa will offer three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Ocean Cay and Nassau with select four-night sailings offering an overnight stay at Ocean Cay.
In addition to the opportunity to visit Sandy Cay, summer 2028 sailings to The Bahamas will feature new enhancements to Ocean Cay, including new dining venues and dedicated family-focused and adults-only experiences.
MSC Cruises to upgrade Catalina Island experience for new cruises from Dominican Republic
In addition to upgrading its cruises to Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises is introducing a new way to experience the Caribbean with year-round sailings launching from La Romana, Dominican Republic this November.
MSC Opera will sail seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises from La Romana that feature diverse ports. Sailings from La Romana will include calls at Catalina Island - a destination that the company recently announced plans to enhance with upgraded facilities to provide a more comfortable experience for visitors in a responsible way that complements the island's natural beauty. A Natural Monument in the Dominican Republic, Catalina Island is known for its nature reserve experience, pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and surrounding coral reefs.
Related: MSC Cruises to build new Bahamas beach club amid major growth
"We're always looking for opportunities to give our guests new ways to experience MSC Cruises' mix of European style and American comfort, and our summer 2028 Caribbean itineraries are a great example of that," said MSC Cruises North America President Lynn Torrent. "We have sunny getaways available for everyone, whether they're looking for a quick weekend in The Bahamas, a family vacation aboard one of our fantastic World Class ships, or a bucket-list journey through the gorgeous Southern Caribbean. Plus, guests can look forward to the new experiences we're building in key destinations like Ocean Cay, Sandy Cay and Catalina Island-all aimed at ensuring they have the best beach days possible."
MSC's summer cruise options also include seven-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas on MSC Seascape and seven-night Alaska sailings from Seattle on MSC Poesia.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 2:28 PM.