TPG Editors' Choice Award for best new cruise destination: MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay
It isn't often that an entirely new cruise destination opens in The Bahamas. But that's what happened almost exactly a year ago as MSC Cruises unveiled its very first private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Just 65 miles east of PortMiami, the 95-acre getaway is a sandy oasis that's home to eight pristine beaches lined with lounge chairs, beach bars and beach-side food outlets.
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Exclusively open to passengers sailing on MSC Cruises ships, Ocean Cay also offers an oceanside spa, for those looking for some pampering; shopping areas with local Bahamian artisans selling arts and crafts; a family-friendly beach zone; and evening entertainment.
In short, for cruising fans, Ocean Cay is a rare and exciting addition to the array of destinations that can be reached on a short cruise from Florida. And that's why we've decided to give MSC Cruises a special Editors' Choice Award this year for the island's development as part of Cruise Week during our annual TPG Awards. We're calling it The Best New Cruise Destination Award.
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Ocean Cay was years in the making and truly an extraordinary project. The island formerly was a sand extraction site, and MSC Cruises spent several years cleaning it up and also restoring the surrounding waters and coral areas.
In all, the line removed 1,510 tons of scrap metal from the island and surrounding sea bed. It also created a coral nursery on the east side of the island, with a focus on propagating endangered coral types that are native to the area. The line's long-term vision is for the island to become a base for marine biologists to conduct research into coral restoration.
If you haven't heard all that much about Ocean Cay, it's because it only was open briefly early this year before the coronavirus pandemic caused the cruise industry to shut down. A grand opening celebration set for May was canceled on short notice.
Related: Fast-growing MSC Cruises orders six more ships
But when cruising to The Bahamas and Caribbean starts up again, Ocean Cay is expected to be a major draw for cruisers. MSC Cruises has said it'll be a stop on every one of the line's voyages in the region for the coming year, including quick three- and four-night night getaways from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida. Four MSC Cruises vessels -- MSC Armonia, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina -- will visit the island.
One thing that sets Ocean Cay apart from many other private islands visited by cruise ships is that it has its own pier. That makes it easy for passengers to go back-and-forth between their ship and the island during visits. There's no need to "tender" to shore on a small boat.
Other private islands that have their own piers include Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.
In one notable difference to other private islands, MSC Cruises plans to have its ships stay late into the night -- and in many instances overnight -- at Ocean Cay, allowing for evening activities. That's unusual for private island calls.
Evening activities will include beach-side stargazing, nighttime paddleboarding on glowing paddleboards and sunset beach picnics. There also will be a light show from the beach around the island's iconic red-and-white lighthouse, and an evening junkanoo parade.
In a nod to the conservation needs of the island's surrounding waters, MSC Cruises is keeping the list of daytime activities available to visitors relatively low key. In addition to relaxing and enjoying the pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters, visitors can sign up for a range of ocean discovery and wellness activities such as yoga on the beach, kayak tours, and snorkeling and scuba diving outings.
Ocean Cay also is home to lovely private cabanas (which you can rent at an extra charge). Paddleboards, family rafts, floating beach mats and umbrellas also are available for rent. There also are electric pedal boats for rent.
For those staying in the exclusive Yacht Club areas of MSC Cruises ships, there also is a private beach area and restaurant.
When cruising to Ocean Cay starts back up again, MSC Cruises plans to implement all the same anti-COVID health and safety measures on the island that it plans to implement on its ships.
This exciting new island will be a major draw when it fully opens in 2021 — and for this, we're thrilled to honor MSC Cruises with the Best New Cruise Destination award.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.