Caribbean | MSC Cruises

Caribbean MSC Cruise Experience

I took an MSC cruise to their private island in the Bahamas and here’s how it went.

The trip was for a bachelorette party. My friend’s sister was getting married, and he got invited with a plus-one. I decided to tag along because, why not? It was going to be my first cruise ever, and even though I was excited, I’ll be honest, I was hesitant at first.

I don’t love water, and the thought of being surrounded for days honestly freaked me out a bit. I have a bad habit of overthinking, so I spent a couple of weeks going over all the things that could go wrong.

Still, I pushed past that fear, booked my ticket, and flew from New York down to Orlando. From there, we departed out of Port Canaveral, the main port MSC uses for their Bahamas cruises.

Boarding the MSC Cruise and Cabin First Impressions

Boarding was smooth and organized, checking passports, verifying documents, finding our rooms, and dropping off luggage. The process was what I expected, but what stood out right away was how friendly and efficient the staff were. Once we got to our cabin, I was actually impressed by how well the space was laid out. Sure, it was small, but it didn’t feel cramped. We had enough room to separate the beds and still move around comfortably.

That said, our first hiccup came pretty fast. When we returned later, the beds were pushed together again, and it took a trip to guest services to get it fixed. Thankfully, the staff handled it quickly and with genuine kindness, and that was a running theme for the rest of the trip.

MSC’s customer service really is top-notch. Whenever we needed something, they were willing to help, and they always followed through. When our cruise cards stopped working one night, which meant we couldn’t access our drink packages, they got it fixed within minutes.

After the safety briefing (which took about 20 minutes), we were ready to explore. But when we got back to our cabin to change, our bags still hadn’t arrived. It ended up taking hours to get them, which was frustrating. I understand there are thousands of passengers, but it would’ve been nice to have an option to grab your own bags instead of waiting so long.

Dining Drinks and Internet Experience

Once we finally got settled, we headed to dinner, and this was when MSC really won me over. The buffet was huge and the food was amazing. Everything from the hot dishes to the desserts looked great, and even the kids’ section was impressive. The food stayed consistently tasty throughout the entire cruise—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even the special dining events. I definitely took advantage of the all-you-can-eat setup and made sure to load up on protein every meal.

What I didn’t love, though, was the WiFi situation. You have to pay for it, and not just once, but daily. It’s not cheap either. I thought my phone plan already covered international data, and I was wrong. That mistake came back to bite me when I got home to a $300 phone bill. If you plan to cruise with MSC, definitely get an international data plan or minutes before you go. Otherwise, you’ll either be offline or paying way more than you should.

Ship Activities Gym and Overall Atmosphere

One thing I always look for when I travel is a good gym, and MSC delivered. The gym on board was clean, modern, and had everything I needed. I even noticed they had trainers available if you wanted guidance, which was a nice touch. I managed to get two workouts in during the four-day trip, and that helped me feel balanced, especially with how much food I was eating.

The ship itself was spotless. Every morning I’d see staff cleaning the pool areas, the hot tubs, and even the walkways. They clearly take pride in how their ship looks and feels. The pools and hot tubs closed on time every night, and everything was in order when it reopened the next morning. That kind of care and consistency is something I really respect.

The ship also had tons of things to do. I’m talking arcade rooms, basketball courts, pool tables, and even a snow room. I didn’t expect that kind of variety. One night, I played basketball with some friends, and they told me about the ice room. I didn’t believe them until I saw it for myself. It felt like every corner of the ship had something fun to explore.

Exploring Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

A Day (and a Half) in the Bahamas

Our cruise stopped in the Bahamas for two full days, and each one gave us a completely different experience.

On Day 1, we arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, full of life, color, and local energy. We rented motorcycles to explore the island, rode through the streets, and stopped at different beaches and shops along the way. The freedom of riding through town with the ocean breeze hitting our faces was unreal. We ended the day at a nearby beach close to the port, just relaxing before heading back to the ship.

And the food? Absolutely amazing. Being Haitian, I have a soft spot for Caribbean flavors, and it didn’t disappoint. The seasoning, the spice, the atmosphere all reminded me of home in the best way possible.

On Day 2, the ship docked at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s private island in the Bahamas. The moment we stepped off, the vibe completely shifted. It was calm, peaceful, and clean.

The water was crystal clear, the sand felt soft, and everything looked picture-perfect. We went kayaking, spotted a few sharks in the distance, and spent the rest of the day walking around the island and soaking in the scenery.

One thing I really appreciated was that the ship docks directly on the island, so there were no tender boats or long waits. You just walk off and start enjoying your day.

What I liked most was the contrast between the two stops. Nassau had that local energy, while Ocean Cay felt private and serene. Riding motorcycles around Nassau was easily one of the best decisions we made.

It gave us the freedom to see more of the island and really take in the atmosphere. The food in Nassau was another highlight. As someone who loves Caribbean flavors, it felt familiar and comforting. The clear blue water and peaceful setup at Ocean Cay made it the perfect spot to slow down after exploring Nassau, and I loved how simple it was to get on and off the private island.

If I had to point out a few downsides, our time in Nassau felt too short. I could’ve easily spent another full day exploring the city and its beaches.

Overall, both stops offered something unique. Nassau gave me culture, flavor, and movement, while Ocean Cay gave me calm, space, and connection to nature. It was the perfect balance for a two-day escape in the Bahamas.

Final Thoughts on My MSC Bahamas Cruise

By the end of the cruise, I realized how much I’d actually enjoyed it. Sure, there were things that annoyed me like waiting for our luggage, paying for WiFi, and that initial fear of being on the ocean for days, but the positives easily outweighed them. The food, the customer service, the ship’s cleanliness, and the overall experience made it worth it.

For my first cruise ever, MSC set the bar high. If you’re considering taking one of their Bahamas trips, I’d say go for it. Just plan ahead, budget for the extras, and don’t forget to enjoy the view.

If you enjoyed my story about my Bahamas cruise adventure with MSC Cruises, check out the time I went to the Grand Canyon. It was definitely a site to remember!

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