More than 1,700 passengers and crew had initially been asked to remain onboard as a precaution after dozens of people reported gastrointestinal symptoms. The ship, carrying 1,233 passengers, mainly from the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as 514 crew members, arrived in the French port on 13 May and was held there pending the outcome of medical tests.

At the peak of the situation, around 80 individuals experienced stomach-related symptoms, with the highest number of cases reported while the ship was docked in Brest earlier in the week.

Mild viral infection confirmed, norovirus ruled out

French health authorities have since clarified that the situation is under control. The illness affecting passengers has been identified as a mild viral infection with no serious consequences reported.

Initial concerns pointed to a possible outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious form of gastroenteritis commonly associated with cruise ships. However, tests ruled this out, and further investigations are ongoing. Food poisoning has not been excluded as a possible cause.

Passengers showing symptoms have been instructed to isolate in their cabins, while those without symptoms have now been allowed to leave the vessel.

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Death of elderly passenger unrelated

The incident was further complicated by the death of an elderly passenger during the voyage. Authorities confirmed that the 92-year-old man died of a heart attack before the ship reached Brest, and that his death is unrelated to the gastrointestinal illnesses reported onboard.

Earlier reports had raised concerns about a possible link between the death and the outbreak, but this has since been dismissed.

No link to hantavirus cases on other vessels

The situation also prompted comparisons with a separate health incident involving the MV Hondius, where a suspected hantavirus cluster had been reported after a voyage departing Argentina. French health officials stressed that there is no connection between the two cases.

While gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis are relatively common and typically mild, hantavirus is rare and significantly more severe.

During the confinement period in Bordeaux, enhanced sanitation measures were implemented across the ship. These included intensified cleaning protocols, assisted service in dining areas, and reinforced hygiene guidance for passengers and crew, such as regular handwashing and prompt reporting of symptoms.

In a statement, the cruise operator said it had implemented health and safety protocols in line with public health procedures and was working closely with local authorities.

The Ambition, which departed from the Shetland Islands on 6 May and called at Belfast and Liverpool before arriving in France, is expected to resume its itinerary towards Spain once clearance is granted.

L’article Cruise ship passengers allowed to disembark in Bordeaux after health scare onboard est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

What started off as a normal cruise on 1 April 2026, carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries, has quickly turned into a global headliner and health concern. Over the course of a few weeks, the MV Hondius – which set out from Argentina – has become the scene of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.

After the first hantavirus cases had been confirmed, the ship first anchored off Cape Verde before heading to Tenerife in order to start evacuating the remaining passengers. Spanish health minister Monica Garcia Gomez, interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and minister for territorial policy Angel Victor Torres Pérez, as well as the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, supervised the delicate operation when the ship arrived on 10 May 2026.

@jarodrigueztv

Desembarco en Tenerife de los pasajeros del Hondius, el crucero de lujo que se ha visto afectado por el Hantavirus

♬ Epic Music(830640) – Pavel

Approximately two days later, on the night of 11 on 12 May 2026, the last evacuees arrived in the Netherlands. The remaining passengers – four Australians, one Briton, and one New Zealander  – and the crew members – 17 Filipinos, a Dutch national, and a German – will stay at a quarantine facility near the Eindhoven airbase before being repatriated to their respective countries.

However, the MV Hondius still had people on board when it left Tenerife. 25 crew members and two medical staff will accompany the ship to Rotterdam. Upon its arrival – expected on Sunday 17 May 2026 – the vessel will be disinfected, and those remaining on board will most likely undergo a quarantine procedure before being repatriated. The WHO has recommended 42 days of isolation for those leaving the MV Hondius.

“Mission accomplished. Between yesterday and today, we have evacuated the 125 passengers and crew members from 23 countries, who have either already returned home or are in the process of being repatriated. The ship, as you can see, has just weighed anchor. It left the port today at 7:00 pm,” said Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia Gomez in Tenerife.

Three new cases

Since the evacuations started, three new cases have been detected. Aside from the three passengers who died due to the virus, this brings the total number of confirmed patients to seven, while an eighth case has been listed as ‘probable’ by the World Health Organization.

One of the five French nationals who were on the ship is among those to have tested positive. The woman started to feel unwell on Sunday evening, 10 May, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. In Spain, one of the fourteen evacuees has tested positive for the hantavirus.

The last confirmed case concerns an American passenger. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the patient tested positive at a biochemical unit in Nebraska and is being monitored alongside fifteen others at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“We had a CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] team at Tenerife. We had aeroplanes ready to take the patients. We have this under control, and we’re not worried about it,” commented Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr on the situation.

Although the World Health Organization’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has reassured passengers aboard by stating that the risk of another pandemic is low, the WHO has recommended 42 days of isolation for those leaving the MV Hondius. The U.S., however, has decided not to follow its guidelines, which “may have risks,” according to the director general.

L’article Three more cases of hantavirus confirmed as last passengers leave cruise ship est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The temporary measure is not unusual, as a standard election day rule aimed at ensuring electoral procedures are respected and taken seriously, but it may come as a surprise to holidaymakers who may be under the impression that Royal Caribbean benefits from exemptions due to the private nature of some of its facilities.

As is customary, the Commonwealth Observer Group paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas ahead of the forthcoming elections. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Group to formally convey its mandate, reaffirm its commitment to supporting… pic.twitter.com/e7Mpitdmsq

— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) May 10, 2026

There will, however, be no exceptions, a message from the cruise line to passengers confirms. “There is a public notice issued by the Ministry of National Security in The Bahamas that prohibits the distribution of alcohol during national elections,” Royal Caribbean stated in a letter to guests. “We’ve explored whether any exceptions could be made; however, this restriction applies nationwide throughout the Bahamas. As a result, alcoholic beverages will not be served at Perfect Day at CocoCay during your visit.”

This means visitors are not allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages anywhere across the Bahamian territory on affected dates, including private islands such as Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay. Cruise lines, however, are permitted to continue selling and serving alcohol on board.

The Group also met with representatives of political parties contesting the General Election to learn more about the political environment and preparations for the vote, and hear their perspectives ahead of the 12 May poll.#CommonwealthElections pic.twitter.com/LxbL5IadiR

— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) May 9, 2026

Royal Caribbean, which is due to have two ships Wonder of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas at Coco Cay on 12 May, as well as the Utopia of the Seas at Nassau as part of a 4-night sailing, has confirmed it will comply with the ban, telling PEOPLE that “Royal Caribbean is respecting and complying with all local laws and regulations, as we do with every destination we visit.” Perfect Day at CocoCay and the firm’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will still be open, and alcohol will continue to be served aboard its ships.

The Wonder of the Seas has a 5,734-guest capacity, and the Oasis of the Seas is similar, with room for 5,606 cruisers. The Utopia can welcome 5,668. That totals a potential 11,340 Royal Caribbean passengers who could be impacted by the expectation for election-day sobriety.

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Passenger forums are filled with commentary on the issue, with some would-be party animals expressing disappointment that they will not be able to enjoy an on-shore drink, and others more focused on the monetary implications of the ban, wondering if charges such as the cruise line’s RCBC credit card holding fees would be waived on that day, or whether drinks packages would be adjusted, or on-board charges would be waived to take the port side restrictions into account. The cruise line’s letter to guests, seen by Travel Tomorrow, did not mention any such compensation.

L’article No alcohol for cruise passengers and holidaymakers in Bahamas during 12 May elections est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The five-day sailing will depart from Miami, Florida, heading for Mexico’s Cozumel, and Great Stirrup Cay Island in the Bahamas. And, as if the sun-soaked destinations were not crowd-pleasing enough, the cruise will present a line-up of Broadway stars, ready to keep guests entertained.

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Tony Award winning performers Darren Criss (who rose to fame in Glee), Norbert Leo Butz, (one of only nine actors ever to have won the coveted Best Actor award twice), and Adrienne Warren (beloved for playing Tina Turner), will be joined by controversial Broadway veteran and three-time Tony winner, Patti LuPone.

A host of other musical theatre names will also be aboard, including Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, Micaela Diamond, Norm Lewis, and Marissa Jaret Winokur, alongside Tony-winning composer Marc Shaiman, and three-time Tony-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, known for “Kinky Boots” and “La Cage aux Folles.”

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There will be mainstage performances, such as “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now!” from Hairspray, featuring Winokur, Bundy, and Butler, who originally incarnated the roles of Tracy, Penny, and Amber in the show. Audiences will also have the chance to take part in dance lessons, discussions on show creation, interactive theatrical events, workshops, and Q&As.

Sixthman has been going since 2001, serving over half a million guests on over 200 vacations “on sand and at sea” where artists, athletes, actors, and comedians are part of the itinerary. Described by Sixthman as “carefully curated, intimate events” they aim to create “truly immersive experiences that celebrate community and change expectations of what a vacation can be.”

Jeff Cuellar, Sixthman’s chief executive officer has described the musical theatre voyage as “Broadway without walls, an all-access experience at sea where fans and legends collide.” He added: “For five extraordinary nights, the ship becomes the stage, the backstage, and everything in between. Nothing else comes close.”

Themed cruises are increasingly popular with holidaymakers. Alongside Disney’s themed boats, other companies are catering to demand. Princess Cruises has been operating a “Love Boat Cruise” since 2022, celebrating one of the most popular and successful TV comedy-dramas of its time. Miami-based Windstar has launched art-themed “Masterclass at Sea” sailings, and numerous cruise lines offer solar-eclipse-focused voyages, to name just a few. The trend aligns with travel consumers’ desire to combine vacations with specific interests and hobbies, turning their time away into an experience.

L’article Sixthman opens pre-sales for fourth Broadway-themed cruise est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

When the cruise ship operated by the Dutch company M/V Hondius set off from Argentina on 1 April 2026, ready to explore Antarctica and multiple islands in the South Atlantic, all seemed fine. However, on 6 April 2026, a Dutch 70-year-old passenger fell ill, and he died just a couple of days later, on 11 April 2026. Only on 24 April 2026, his body was removed from the ship at St. Helena. His wife, a 69-year-old Dutch woman, leaves the ship at the same time and takes a flight to South Africa, where she dies on 26 April 2026 after falling ill during the journey.

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Meanwhile, on the ship, other passengers start falling ill. On 27 April, a traveller is evacuated to South Africa, and a woman who started showing symptoms on 28 April dies onboard the ship on 2 May 2026.

That same day, the first lab results start coming in. They confirm that the passenger who was evacuated to South Africa on 27 April suffers from hantavirus. On 4 May, a second (posthumous) test shows that the Dutch woman who died on 26 April also had hantavirus.

@bbcnews Three people have died and another passenger is seriously ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde. #CruiseShip #Cruise #CapeVerde #Hantavirus #News #BBCNews ♬ original sound – BBC News

Since the arrival of the cruise ship in Cape Verde on 3 May 2026, authorities have been investigating what is now considered to be a hantavirus outbreak. Although only two cases have been confirmed, the WHO is confident that other deaths and illnesses have been caused by the same virus. Two other passengers who fell ill have already been evacuated.

The WHO is investigating the outbreak. Although hantavirus is spread by rodents – especially by contact with infected rodents’ saliva, urine, or droppings – the organisation is studying the possibility of rare human-to-human transmission.

“We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that’s happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins, et cetera,” stated Maria Van Kerkhove, director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention at the WHO.

#Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel:
Since 1 April when the boat set sail, of the 147 passengers and crew, 7 people have become ill, among whom 3 have died, 1 is critically ill and 3 are reporting mild symptoms.

Based on the current information, including how… pic.twitter.com/KDKwmrNeBt

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 5, 2026

Such human-to-human transmission is rare but can happen through really close contact, especially with the Andes virus, a specific case of hantavirus. As the Dutch couple who fell ill first had been travelling through Argentina and South America before boarding, it is possible the passengers are suffering from the specific variant, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

“At present, the risk to the general population in Europe from this outbreak is considered very low, given that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are being implemented on board and that hantaviruses are not easily spread between people. It is not yet known whether transmission in the current outbreak occurred through environmental exposure or between individuals, and the specific hantavirus involved has not yet been identified,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a statement on Monday, 4 May 2026.

At the moment of writing, the cruise ship has set sail for the Canary Islands, a journey that should take approximately three days. Once arrived, Spain’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that a team of epidemiologists will go on board to screen the passengers for symptoms and assess the risks. In the meantime, crew members and passengers aboard the ship have been isolated in cabins and are applying maximal physical distancing in order to minimise further risks of contamination.

L’article Deadly hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship went on for weeks before being confirmed est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Part of the Family Aventura District, a kids-friendly play hub, the amusement will appear on the MSC World Asia and include an over-water swing dubbed “the Cliffhanger” for the way it suspends guests above the ocean waves in what is set to be a first for European cruising.

The theme park will also feature an adventure trail rope course, obstacle challenge, waterslides, a playground, social spaces, and what MSC describes as the longest dry slide at sea. The ClubHouse and Doremiland will help to form a total of 929m² in space dedicated to kids. Bumper cars, a LEGO Family Zone, and roller skating will also be found here. It is all set to join the MSC Luna Park Arena, an area where interactive game shows will deploy the latest in digital technology to entertain cruise passengers. And when the sun has gone down, the fun will continue as the space will transform into a nocturnal theme park with extended evening programs.

Leatham emphasised the world’s third-largest cruise line’s credentials in creating entertainment for all its guests. “As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises knows what it takes to keep the whole family happy on holiday,” he said. The initiative will allow the company to “reach new heights — bigger, bolder and more innovative than ever,” the VP claimed.

Premiering Winter 2026: MSC World Asia is coming together beautifully as construction continues at the shipyard. #MSCWorldAsia #MSCCruises pic.twitter.com/FErjwmIBoH

— MSC Cruises (USA) (@MSCCruisesUSA) August 19, 2025

It is part of a strategy designed to appeal to travel consumers who are increasingly immersed in tech, yet increasingly seeking experiential, outdoors activities and adventure sports. It also helps to lock travellers into the MSC ecosystem with a complete “floating resort” offer alongside its 300 worldwide destinations.

The MSC World Asia is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. On board, every experience is being “designed to surprise, inspire and spark imagination,” Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises’ family entertainment development director, said in a press release. “We’ve pushed creativity to new limits, and we’re confident guests will leave genuinely amazed.”

MSC World Asia will set sail for the first time in December 2026, heading for a series of seven-night Mediterranean itineraries, with calls at Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, and Valletta, the cruise line said.

L’article MSC Cruises set to launch massive theme park on board of its newest ship est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Beth Bodensteiner, the cruise line’s president, has hailed the new offers as “truly unforgettable moments, from exploring Antarctica and crossing the globe on the Grand World Voyage to sailing past Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and the Equator meet at zero, and calling at legendary destinations like Easter Island and Bora Bora.”

The world tour will first explore the Caribbean and east coast of South America, visiting Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords. It is set to operate aboard the company’s Volendam, with six suite types, spa and wellness facilities, retail, world-class dining, bars, cocktails, casinos, and entertainment. It departs Fort Lauderdale on 5 January 2027.

The sailing will take in 28 countries, and 16 port calls will only be available on these “Grand Voyage” tours, including rare Holland America Line destinations such as Walvis Bay, Namibia; Reunion Island; and Cape Verde. There will be seven overnight stays: Lima, Tahiti, Sydney, Bali, Cape Town, Bordeaux, and Copenhagen. The final leg will be a Transatlantic crossing and call in Puerto Rico en route back to Florida. Tickets are currently on sail from €26,549.

The other new itinerary, the 2028 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage Highlights departs San Diego onboard Zaandam to call at 41 ports on two continents, including Hawaii, remote ports and overnight stays at Hobart; Sydney; Cairns; Fremantle (Perth); Auckland; and Papeete, Tahiti.in Australia and New Zealand, return leg calls at Fiji, Samoa, and French Polynesia, and a 15-hour stop at Bora Bora.

Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Planning and Analytics told Travel + Leisure, “When we design Grand Voyages, we look for places our guests can really savor, and Bora Bora is a perfect example. We can only access the island with our R Class ships.”

With 35% fewer guests than Holland America’s Pinnacle Class, R Class ships boast “an intimate atmosphere and a more traditional style of cruising,” the company’s website says. This allows the cruise firm “to build calls that are about time, not just arrival,” Grigsby explains, adding: “That kind of access gives guests the flexibility to experience the lagoon, the marine life and the changing views of Mount Otemanu at their own pace.”

L’article Holland America launches new Grand Voyages around the world calling at rare ports est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

With the summer season just around the corner, Royal Beach Club Santorini comes right on time for those wanting to spend a relaxing day on Santorini’s southern coastline. Starting from 27 April 2026, travellers with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea can book a spot at the beach club.

“Royal Beach Club Santorini is changing the game in Europe with the easiest way to enjoy the best of the island. Everything you need is already taken care of, from complimentary transportation and the finest Mediterranean flavors to shaded loungers and convenient amenities. And it’s all nestled along a secluded stretch of volcanic black sand beach, with endless views of the Aegean Sea. Soak it all up — this ultimate beach day is just for you,” Royal Caribbean writes about the experience. 

@royalcaribbean Royal Beach Club Santorini is now open and your Euro summer is heating up #RoyalBeachClubSantorini #cruise #greece #bucketlist #travelinspo ♬ original sound – Royal Caribbean

Entrance to the Royal Beach Club Santorini is bookable as part of a shore excursion, known as the Ultimate Santorini Day. During that excursion, guests are taken on a tour around Santorini. Stops include Oia, where travellers get to wander cliffside paths where whitewashed buildings and blue domes spill toward the sea, while a stroll through the village lets them discover charming shops, caldera views, and cascading architecture. Afterwards, cruise travellers visit Santorini’s buzzing capital city, Fira, a mix of dramatic landscapes and vibrant daily life.

Local residents, too, can access the beach club by paying an entry fee. According to the cruise company, local Greek residents will be able to purchase tickets at the door on days that a Royal Caribbean Group ship is in port, based on availability.

What’s included?

The club, located on a stretch of beach characterised by its volcanic black sand, comes with a set of perks. For example, visitors can relax on one of the loungers with plush towels and umbrellas on the beach while listening to the tunes of the on-site DJ. Thanks to the all-you-can-eat buffet and all-you-can-drink bar – featuring draft beer, house wines, and nonalcoholic beverages – there is no need to go hungry or thirsty during a visit. 

According to Royal Caribbean, the food menu features fresh, authentic Greek cuisine inspired by ge flavours of the Aegean. The club also has a Greek frozen yoghurt machine, perfect for a touch of refreshment on a hot summer’s day on the beach.

First announced in November 2025, Royal Beach Club Santorini marks Royal Caribbean’s second beach club world-wide, following the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau. The Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico (2026) and Royal Beach Club Lelepa (2027) are likely to be the next to open and are part of a larger move by Royal Caribbean Group to expand its land-based offer. 

L’article Royal Caribbean opens first private European destination in Santorini  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The MSC Euribia has left Dubai, passed through the Strait, and left the region “on course to resume her Northern Europe season,” MSC Cruises told Cruise Hive. The sailing happened “in close coordination with the relevant authorities,” the cruise line said, even though it appeared to happen unexpectedly, since the cruise line had only cancelled the Euribia’s 16 and 17 May itineraries in the Baltic and North Seas two days earlier. It has now reinstated those northern European departures, starting with the cruise departing on May 16 from Kiel (and May 17 from Copenhagen).

The 16 May sailing departs Kiel, Germany, for a 7-night voyage calling at Copenhagen, Denmark, where it will pick up more guests on 17 May, and going on to Hellesylt, Alesund, and Flam in Norway. The firm has clarified that guests who took up options to refund or take a cruise credit when the departure was thought to be cancelled now have the chance to “transfer their booking to this sailing should they wish, and will be contacted directly with further details,” MSC said.

The ship will continue tosail northern European waters until mid-October, before heading to the Mediterranean for a winter season that includes sailings from Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, and Palermo for the winter season. It is scheduled to return to Kiel and Copenhagen again in spring 2027.

Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery also departed Dubai on Friday, 17 April en route to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, where it is due to operate a three-night Iconic Greek Islands itinerary on 1 May 2026. The Celestyal Journey, too is sailing off the coast of Oman, at the time of writing, on its way to Cape Town. It is due to sail a Heavenly Greece, Italy, and Croatia itinerary departing Athens on 2 May.

The firm announced a consultation period that would mean job losses for “a limited number of roles across its UK and global offices, including a review of the Celestyal Travel business,” following the suspension of operations in the Gulf, as part of restructuring moves that represent “a limited adjustment relative to the overall size of the business and are part of a measured response to external circumstances,” a statement said.

The cruise ship Celestyal Discovery appears to have just successfully run the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/FJpuuj7MV4

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 17, 2026

Meanwhile, TUI Cruises said in a press release that Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 have been able to depart Doha where they had been stuck since the start of hostilities. They successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz, despite the Mein Schiff 4 reportedly being threatened by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and an impact narrowly missing the ship, according to security firm Vanguard Tech.

The ships will sail on to the Mediterranean. The Mein Schiff 4 was supposed to sail a five-day round-trip from Palma on 1 May, calling at Marseille, Barcelona, and Valencia, while the Mein Schiff 5 was supposed to be serving routes out of Heraklion, Greece. “Further details regarding the route and timing will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed,” the firm said.

L’article Cruise ships leave Middle East amid threats and near-misses from Iran est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

MSC Group, the company behind MSC Cruises and Explore Journeys, has unveiled its plans for a new luxury private island in the Bahamas. MSC first hinted at the project in January 2026, but has now added more details in a press release. Sandy Cay, as the new destination will be called, should open its doors to the public in 2028.

“The success of Ocean Cay helped validate our long-term vision for private destinations, and ultimately led to the development of Sandy Cay. So, as MSC Cruises continues to grow … in North America, and we continue to increase capacity from U.S. homeports, adding Sandy Cay allows us to expand capacity while offering guests more variety and more tailored experiences in line with the brand,” Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said in an interview with USA TODAY.

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Although it is located next to the already existing Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the new island will act as its “intimate complement”. The island will be more secluded and will invite guests to immerse themselves in the natural rhythms of the ocean and the spirit of The Bahamas.

“It’ll have sort of its own soul and DNA, where elegance is fused with the authentic spirit of the Bahamas, preserving that very relaxed, genuine atmosphere that our guests love about Ocean Cay, but really an extension of that,” Torrent continues.

According to a first rendering shared by the MSC Group, guests should expect an island with pristine aragonite sand, surrounded by turquoise waters, and a collection of buildings and pools for cruise travellers to enjoy during their stopover. More details should follow soon.

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MSC Cruises and private islands

The news of the opening comes in a busy year for MSC Cruises, and soon after the company’s announcement to enhance the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Plans include new facilities and experiences designed to further enhance the guest offering on the island, such as additional dining venues, new beach concepts for families and adults, expanded relaxation areas, and new ways for guests to engage with marine conservation through immersive experiences. Moreover, construction work has begun on extending the pier to accommodate two ships simultaneously. The novelties should be ready for guests to enjoy by late 2027.

The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has been open since 2019. What was once a sand excavation site was cleared by MSC and “dedicated to the restoration of marine resources and the ongoing conservation of marine life”. For example, some 7,500 tons of scrap metal were removed from the site, while the company relocated coral to the area in an effort to encourage its growth and repopulation. During their stopover, MSC travellers can enjoy a drink, grab a bite, or participate in one of the many shore excursions.

L’article MSC Cruises unveils new luxury private island Sandy Cay in the Bahamas est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.