Full Review of Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve with Comparisons to CocoCay
Welcome to Ocean Cay, MSC's private marine reserve in the Bahamas. In this video, we take you on a tour of this stunning tropical paradise and share my honest review of the experience on the island.
Join us as we explore the crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and abundant marine life of Ocean Cay. We'll take you on a snorkeling adventure, show you the best snorkeling locations, swimming, sunbathing, and overall best places to relax including my thoughts on the island's food, drinks, and amenities.
Whether you're planning to visit Ocean Cay on an upcoming MSC cruise or are simply interested in learning more about this one-of-a-kind destination, this video is for you. We hope you enjoy our review and find it helpful in planning your own trip to Ocean Cay.
For those that have also been to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, I will make a few comparisson calling out some noteworthy differences between the two islands.
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Пікірлер: 48
Great review!
When I try MSC, I will keep an eye and see if we have a stop there. Thank you for this review Brandon 🙂
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
For us solo travelers, it is a really good deal!
Not an MSC fan, but when you said that on that island it is just us and nature/ocean/beach…. That is my kind of relaxation! Great vid 👍🏻
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Yes! If you get one of the over nights on Ocean Cay, it makes up for A LOT on the ship. It is by far my favorite private island.
We did an overnight with MSC. The beach party was so nice. The light house show was incredible. They also had a fire pit area which was very nice. And the beach was incredible.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Agree, Ocean Cay is a really nice private destinations and the overnights provide a much different view of the island!
The big advantage of the Yacht Club beach is butler service. Your butler is on the beach setting up your chairs and getting you drinks. The restaurant has an upscale lunch(filet, lobster rolls etc.) and cocktails. There are special trams to take you back and forth so there is little or no wait.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the tips and good to know!
Hey Brandon, another great review! We were on that same cruise with you. That was our second visit to OC. We’ve had great weather both times and yes you are correct, the water is stunning around the island. I got some great photos especially sailing away from the island as we have had a starboard side balcony both times. The pictures I have of the lighthouse are great. We are making a third visit there on our Christmas cruise later in the year that one will just be for the day. Agree as well go as far away from the ship as possible to have the most relaxing time. We walked all the way out to the wedding gazebo and helicopter pad (didn’t know that was there). We have not tried the buffet yet, we usually just grab a snack on the island and wait to get back on the ship to eat. Whenever we have gone by there it is completely mobbed. Sunset Beach was amazing but yes, def need water shoes and no I didn’t have any… Will bring them next time. 🛳️
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Hate i missed you still Brant! Was a great cruise! I hadn't thought about getting a starboard side room but def see the advantage! Wonder if they always dock like that?
Brandon, we have friends that want us to check out Ocean Cay... and thanks to you, I think we will say yes!
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Ocean Cay is definitely worth a go! It really is a beautiful spot!
Great video thanks again
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Dino!
Beaching is all I do at CocoCay and it looked much less crowded. More open. Except the lines for food. Always a good review.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ted!
Enjoyed this opinion video (as always) and agree totally. Had my first-ever visit to OC Marine Reserve at the beginning of the month (Meriviglia), and will be returning in a few days for another overnight experience (Seaside). I found the Lighthouse Bar to be a great place to hang out, with some shade available as well as full-sun seating. I walked the entire complex to take it all in, and as you said, there are numerous places to enjoy the beach and water if you'll continue past the first places seen. The tour of the lighthouse was better than expected, and she stopped at each of the three levels to share information (as well as offer some rest from the climb). Yep, your opinion of the soft serve matched what I and many others felt about that place. Since the ship and the island don't share the same food/beverage inventory, it was quite odd to find several things available at OC that were unavailable on the ship, and vice versa.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Ugh the soft serve ice cream! I get hungry everytime I think about it! I think if people ever check it out once, they will really line it. Very different from CocoCay but not in a bad way.
Totally agree about OC buffet vs. CC. Not worth the line at all. Big breakfast and fro-yo for lunch sounds like a prefect solution! It is stunning. I like how different areas of the island have different background music.
Thank you for sharing.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Hey Jade!!
Such a great review. Going next month Wish you were my travel buddy. Very informative 😊
@TheWeekendCruiser
10 ай бұрын
Aww have a blast! Keep cruising and I am sure our paths will cross!
@clearedfortakeoff7794
10 ай бұрын
Doing one next month with fam and another one solo end of February. Would be great if you can plan for end of Feb from NYC on MSC Meraviglia 😊😊😊😊😊
@TheWeekendCruiser
10 ай бұрын
That is probably a no go for me! Cruised out of Bayonne once but much prefer the one 0.5 miles from my house :-) I am doing a ton of MSC next year though. Looking forward to it!@@clearedfortakeoff7794
@clearedfortakeoff7794
10 ай бұрын
@@TheWeekendCruiser share your dates and ships and i will see if i could jump in. :)
@TheWeekendCruiser
10 ай бұрын
@@clearedfortakeoff7794 I am thinking through the best way to do this. A little bit of risk to divulging my entire schedule but might be a way to piece meal it!
Thank you for this review and damn I wish I had your life
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
haha thank you Shannon! Takes a lot of planning, budgeting, and commitment to the cause! Definitly not a shabby life!
Will be there on the Meriveglia at the end of October, my first cruise in ages. I've sailed four times on Celebrity and once on the QM2 and loved all those voyages and ships. I realize MSC isn't in that class and my expectations on food and service are already adjusted accordingly. I'm traveling as a single and the fare for an aft balcony cabin was too good to pass up for an eleven night sailing. I'll share more upon my return.
@TheWeekendCruiser
11 ай бұрын
I totally hear that. I have a lot of MSC booked next year because the value is just so darn good.!
@craigbrownstein
10 ай бұрын
@@TheWeekendCruiser Under $2k for an 11 night single seemed like the right price.
When I was there in October the golf carts/shuttle were for YC guests only. If that has changed soemone please post.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
I hope it has! I did not take one but it can be q heck of a walk without them!
Looks amazing, the only negative I have heard is it gets really hot there as a lack of shade is an issue. Thanks for sharing
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
I could see that but any beach might struggle. At least the umbrellas at CocoCay are comped.
Brandon food on board ? Is it bland or not as good as a lot of people are saying ? I want to try Msc but I’m scared the food will not be good
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Good is nothing to write home about - the specialty restaurants are good The main dinning room is just okay on the sailings I have been on.
FYI: they have a private Island, Yacht Club Restaurant and The upscale Food Truck, is Comped for Yacht Club guests.
@bodyloverz30
Жыл бұрын
From the videos, it looks like they get steak and upgraded seafood. The island was not done, when I sailed YC.
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Good feedback George! I def need to try the Yacht Club one day!
Can you tell me if there were any cabanas on sunset beach..thanks!
@TheWeekendCruiser
Жыл бұрын
Hey Karen, the Cabanas do not go all the way to Sunset beach. They are mainly around South beach. If you get a cabana on the left side it will be more remote and more "sunset beach" like.
Ocean Cay is much better than Coco Cay which os a rip off. Yacht Club is amazing but not on Ocean Cay! Worst beach on the island. Great food and drink and service. Way too many rocks. Would do Yacht Club but not on Ocean Cay. We would do the regular section! Maybe eat at Yacht Club beach and move to other beach . after.
@TheWeekendCruiser
12 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing Jack! I have not hung out at the Yacht Club Beach House but it's a shame they haven't cleaned the rocks up! Most people do not bring water shoes on cruise ships! Def go there for the food lol