In April 2025, Jill and I embarked on two unforgettable three-night cruises, both marking historic inaugural sailings. Our first adventure was aboard MSC World America, followed by NCL Aqua. Each ship showcased its unique charm and promised exhilarating experiences at sea—promises they effortlessly fulfilled.
Between cruises, we made the most of our day in vibrant Miami, where we strolled through a captivating sculptural garden and explored an intriguing science museum.
Click HERE to read a short introduction to our fun-filled week.
This story highlights my fun in the sun on Ocean Cay, MSC's private island in The Bahamas.
Between cruises, we made the most of our day in vibrant Miami, where we strolled through a captivating sculptural garden and explored an intriguing science museum.
Click HERE to read a short introduction to our fun-filled week.
This story highlights my fun in the sun on Ocean Cay, MSC's private island in The Bahamas.
Ocean Cay, Bahamas (April 10, 2025) As I stepped onto our balcony for my first look at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island in The Bahamas, I took in the view. It wasn’t the most stunning private island I’ve been on—that title belongs to CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s beautifully designed retreat—but it was a far cry from what it once was. What had been an industrial excavation site, supplying aragonite sand for construction projects and commercial use worldwide, was now an inviting tropical escape.
Before visiting Ocean Cay, I had read up on the island’s past. Here’s an interesting fact: The Bahamas is one of the largest sources of aragonite sand, which is dredged from the seabed, with vast deposits that formed over millions of years.
MSC, which acquired the island in 2015 and named it Ocean Cay, undertook a massive restoration project to transform the island into a marine reserve. They removed 7,500 tons of industrial waste, planted more than 75,000 native trees and plants, and focused on restoring the surrounding marine eco-system.
On the day Jill and I visited Ocean Cay, MSC officially opened the MSC Marine Conservation Center, a research and restoration hub dedicated to preserving marine life and advancing coral restoration. But MSC’s vision for the island wasn’t just about conservation—it was also about creating a cruise destination that offered a unique, eco-friendly experience for guests.
And that brings me full circle to our purpose that day—a few hours of fun in the sun as we relaxed on the beach and dipped our feet in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
MSC, which acquired the island in 2015 and named it Ocean Cay, undertook a massive restoration project to transform the island into a marine reserve. They removed 7,500 tons of industrial waste, planted more than 75,000 native trees and plants, and focused on restoring the surrounding marine eco-system.
On the day Jill and I visited Ocean Cay, MSC officially opened the MSC Marine Conservation Center, a research and restoration hub dedicated to preserving marine life and advancing coral restoration. But MSC’s vision for the island wasn’t just about conservation—it was also about creating a cruise destination that offered a unique, eco-friendly experience for guests.
And that brings me full circle to our purpose that day—a few hours of fun in the sun as we relaxed on the beach and dipped our feet in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Ocean Cay Lighthouse on Ocean Cay Beach
Midmorning, Jill and I stepped ashore. The temperature held at 81 degrees, never climbing higher, while the humidity lingered in the mid-60s. The air was warm and muggy, but there was a steady 16-mph breeze off the ocean, which made our few hours on the beach refreshingly pleasant.
MSC offered a variety of activities for its guests, from snorkeling to jet skiing. For those looking to take in the views, there was also the lighthouse climb, where visitors could enjoy panoramic sights from the top of the iconic Ocean Cay Lighthouse—a real, functional structure built as part of MSC’s redevelopment of the island.
Jill and I, however, opted for none of the above—our sole goal was to relax on the beach.
MSC offered a variety of activities for its guests, from snorkeling to jet skiing. For those looking to take in the views, there was also the lighthouse climb, where visitors could enjoy panoramic sights from the top of the iconic Ocean Cay Lighthouse—a real, functional structure built as part of MSC’s redevelopment of the island.
Jill and I, however, opted for none of the above—our sole goal was to relax on the beach.
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From the ship, we headed straight to Lighthouse Beach—no surprise how it was named, right?!—where we could spend a few peaceful hours of R&R beneath an umbrella, stretched out on a pair of loungers.
But much to our chagrin, loungers and umbrellas were few and far between, and the ones available had already been claimed. Jill settled into a metal chair beneath a palm tree, while I laid out a blanket on the sand. |
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It didn’t take long, though, before we became restless. I suggested to Jill that we make our way to South Beach, just a 10-minute walk across the island. But before we left, I made sure to capture a few “must-have” photo ops—including a selfie of Jill and me, with MSC World America in the background.
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I’m happy to report that South Beach turned out to be a much better option. It was more crowded than Lighthouse Beach, but we managed to snag a couple of loungers, which I dragged a short distance to a shady spot beneath the palms, where we could truly unwind.
Something unexpected caught my attention, though. I don’t know if you notice in my photos—or if it’s even clear—but the sand wasn’t as soft and white as we had anticipated. Instead, it felt grainy and firm. My curiosity got the better of me, and with internet access on the island, I had my answer after a quick Google search.
Aragonite sand, I learned, can sometimes feel coarse rather than powdery, depending on grain size, composition, and environmental factors. And—get this—the larger, more irregular grains gave it that rougher texture. While this didn’t diminish my experience, it certainly helped resolve a small mystery.
Aragonite sand, I learned, can sometimes feel coarse rather than powdery, depending on grain size, composition, and environmental factors. And—get this—the larger, more irregular grains gave it that rougher texture. While this didn’t diminish my experience, it certainly helped resolve a small mystery.
In the photo below, you can see Ocean Cay Lagoon—and just beyond, Bimini Beach. The lagoon was a dream for swimming, its warm, nearly 80-degree waters inviting me in. From the shore, I walked 30 feet or so into the lagoon, the water rising along my legs with each step. Eventually, the seabed dropped off too deep to stand—so I swam...and I swam...and I swam. Try as I might, I could not remember the last time I swam in open waters. IT. FELT. AMAZING!
On a side note, MSC reshaped the beaches around the lagoon to enlarge them, ensuring a sheltered body of water that remains calm even when strong ocean currents and waves surround the island. That careful design guaranteed ideal conditions for swimming and water activities, no matter what the sea outside was doing.
Satisfied that I had gotten my exercise for the day, I made my way toward the beach. Jill stood at the shoreline, feet in the water, deep in conversation with another guest. As I approached, she said, “There are sharks in the water. I saw one—it was as long as my arm.”
A pause. Should I be concerned? Just as I wondered, someone within earshot said, “Don’t worry—those are nurse sharks. They’re known for their docile nature.”
Curious, I lingered in the shallows to see if I could spot one myself. Sure enough, a sleek shape soon glided past—maybe a couple of feet long, far smaller than their maximum size of 10 feet.
I checked my watch. 3 PM.
“Ready to reboard the ship?” I asked Jill.
She was...and we did.
Satisfied that I had gotten my exercise for the day, I made my way toward the beach. Jill stood at the shoreline, feet in the water, deep in conversation with another guest. As I approached, she said, “There are sharks in the water. I saw one—it was as long as my arm.”
A pause. Should I be concerned? Just as I wondered, someone within earshot said, “Don’t worry—those are nurse sharks. They’re known for their docile nature.”
Curious, I lingered in the shallows to see if I could spot one myself. Sure enough, a sleek shape soon glided past—maybe a couple of feet long, far smaller than their maximum size of 10 feet.
I checked my watch. 3 PM.
“Ready to reboard the ship?” I asked Jill.
She was...and we did.
After a half-day on the beach and a swim in the lagoon, I felt refreshed, relaxed, and completely rejuvenated—any worries or tensions had vanished, carried away by the steady ocean breeze and warm, clear waters. A doctor couldn’t have prescribed a better remedy than Mother Nature herself!