MSC Cruises will offer a unique experience to its customers on an island with a marine reserve in the Bahamas

Perry Christie, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, and Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, signed the agreement yesterday in Nassau.
MSC Cruisestodayannounced its ambitious plans to create an unprecedented experience on a Bahamian island with a unique marine reserve. The visionary project was officially launched yesterday afternoon in the Bahamian capital, Nassau, where Prime Minister Perry Christie and MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease agreement that will allow MSC Cruises to occupy and develop its activities on the island, which will be called “Ocean Cay” MSC Marine Reserve.
Over the next two years, MSC Cruises will work closely with both the Bahamian government and environmentalists to transform the cay into a thriving reserve that harmonizes with the existing ecosystem. This is a project that will transform the foundation of the local economy by conserving resources instead of exploiting them. Furthermore, in line with the company's commitment to providing an authentic cruise vacation, the island will offer some of the world's finest beaches, along with a wealth of Caribbean-inspired experiences. MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, stated: “This is a natural progression for our rapidly growing company, and we are very excited to offer this new service to our guests in the Caribbean. Ocean Cay and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our onboard experiences. We ensure that every decision we make keeps us true to our brand, delivering the authenticity and quality our guests expect. We will apply the same judgment and attention to detail to our Caribbean offering, of which this exclusive marine reserve will be the cornerstone.” “We are confident that our guests will be delighted with this industry-first experience,” added Vago.
In addition to being a unique experience on a marine reserve island, spanning 38.5 hectares and 3.5 km across six distinct beaches, “Ocean Cay” will be the largest project ever undertaken by a cruise line on a Caribbean island. For example, a jetty and pier will be built on the shore, meaning MSC Cruises guests will be able to disembark and stroll directly onto the island. Guests will also be able to move freely both on the ship and around the island, which will be especially useful given that a significant part of their visit will be the island's nightlife. This includes live music and entertainment in the 2,000-seat amphitheater, bars, and restaurants. Furthermore, the ship and all onboard services, including the casino, will remain open while the ship is in “Ocean Cay.”