Images from Ocean Cay

[DCGuy64]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

This is exactly why I think MSC should have said "soft opening November 9th" from the beginning and given the people fair warning that the island may not be 100% complete. I am always a fan of information for the consumer and error on that side. We own a company, and error on the side of giving the consumer too much information each and every time. Our customers appreciate our candor and our company reviews are significantly better than MSC's. ;-).

 That's awesome! Glad to hear that.

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Since opening an island will always have a brief period of 'figuring things out', stating soft opening from the beginning gives MSC infinite room for error and covers their bases.   Of course, savvy travelers already knew to expect a soft opening, but certainly inexperienced travelers could have been informed in a more timely fashion so they can make the best personal decision.

 

Yes, but I'm just wondering how that would happen. Are you proposing that MSC should have hinted at a soft opening in late 2019 as far back as 2 years ago? Surely that would not have been predictable that far in the past. Or do you mean just in the past few months of this year? I imagine MSC's counter would be there was no way for us to know exactly when OC would be fully complete due to factors beyond our control. I think they're doing the best they can. (JMHO)

[OHCruisin]

Interestingly, I will be there on 11/20 and my planner has YC cabanas listed for sale.  So if the YC area isn't done, why are thy selling them?

[marcoigna]

Just now, OHCruisin said:

Interestingly, I will be there on 11/20 and my planner has YC cabanas listed for sale.  So if the YC area isn't done, why are thy selling them?

we have cabanas booked for November 9th of this Year - Ocean View YC and Ocean Front YC ... so i would not worry.

[NameThatFunnel]

1 minute ago, OHCruisin said:

Interestingly, I will be there on 11/20 and my planner has YC cabanas listed for sale.  So if the YC area isn't done, why are thy selling them?

Both my November sailings also show the Yacht Club cabanas available, so I called MSC. They told me that the full YC Ocean Cay experience will not open until Spring, but the that a temporary area with the cabanas is being set up. Not expecting much, likely very little special YC services on island for the opening.

[Nashna]

16 minutes ago, NameThatFunnel said:

Both my November sailings also show the Yacht Club cabanas available, so I called MSC. They told me that the full YC Ocean Cay experience will not open until Spring, but the that a temporary area with the cabanas is being set up. Not expecting much, likely very little special YC services on island for the opening.

Did they mention where the YC site would be located?  I wonder if they will make special transportation arrangements such as escorting to the site, etc.  

[NameThatFunnel]

1 minute ago, Nashna said:

Did they mention where the YC site would be located?  I wonder if they will make special transportation arrangements such as escorting to the site, etc.  

When complete, the Ocean Cay Yacht Club area will be located on the furthest section away from the pier, nearby Paradise Sands if you look at the map on the Ocean cay website. I was told the temporary area will be just outside that area, probably meaning outside the YC construction zone. There are supposed to be trams to shuttle guests on the island, just not sure when they are going to be available.

[Fogfog]

In early communications there would be tram/golf cart transportation for YC guests (not all guests)

 

Am surprised about booking cabanas online as that was online then off line..and there was commentary that YC cabanas could only be booked through YC concierge once on ship...

 

We have a few months to watch this roll out/beta test.

 

I hope that at the very least they have an improved YC buffet and the transportation in place for YC even if its in a temporary space. The menu I saw for the YC buffet sounded fabulous

[Nashna]

It sounds like you have some good solid information.  We have a sailing in YC this January and in January, 2021.  It will be interesting to compare OC in a years time to see it totally completed.   

[Dr. Cocktail]

This thread is giving me the giggles ....

 

Now, I've been in the YC 4 times over the past two years and have developed a real fondness for the product but ..... get a grip people!

 

If you're frequent sailors and haven't yet realized that the company lettering stands for Must Seem Confusing, you really haven't had the whole MSC experience!!!

 

My guess is many of the first cruises will show up with officers having been to Mass earlier in the day to pray that 1) there's a dock 2) there's a beach and some sand and 3) some vague infrastructure to feed a lot of people. Whether there's cabanas, included drinks, umbrellas, golf carts, jugglers or toilet paper will all be worked out on a daily basis!

 

The rules will be different with each sailing with each different ship and will vary based on time, date, solar activity and direction in which the wind is blowing!

 

It will eventually be great! But keep repeating .... eventually!

 

I told my partner who really isn't into cruising like I am that our Meraviglia cruise will go to their private island. His response: "It actually exists?!"

[mianmike]

A new article on the island. 

https://cruisefever.net/newest-cruise-line-private-island-opens-in-30-days/?fbclid=IwAR0BPl8e_jmEj4nSRQPST6zG-Q19Tbwat5NwOedoa88NDsq4EVBhEH2M4d8

[BermudaBound2014]

55 minutes ago, mianmike said:

A new article on the island. 

https://cruisefever.net/newest-cruise-line-private-island-opens-in-30-days/?fbclid=IwAR0BPl8e_jmEj4nSRQPST6zG-Q19Tbwat5NwOedoa88NDsq4EVBhEH2M4d8

 

The article sounds fantastic!

 

3 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

 That's awesome! Glad to hear that.

Yes, but I'm just wondering how that would happen. Are you proposing that MSC should have hinted at a soft opening in late 2019 as far back as 2 years ago? Surely that would not have been predictable that far in the past. Or do you mean just in the past few months of this year? I imagine MSC's counter would be there was no way for us to know exactly when OC would be fully complete due to factors beyond our control. I think they're doing the best they can. (JMHO)

 

Of course we could all predict that the opening would be soft. Even if every single physical thing were ready, it's still a brand new island with brand new staff.

This is exactly why I propose soft opening language out of the gate.   Soft opening covers lots of basis and it's less deceptive. No one with any experience books a brand new ship without the expectation of a 'soft opening'. Same is true with an island. The problem is that lots of people with no experience could be blind sided. 

[Beamafar]

I'll be pleasantly surprised if we get to visit the island on Nov 9th and, if we do, I'm  expecting it to be a bit chaotic.  It'll also be somewhat ironic as our first sailing on Meraviglia was also chaotic due to it being still in inaugural mode.

[dexddd]

19 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

This thread is giving me the giggles ....

 

Now, I've been in the YC 4 times over the past two years and have developed a real fondness for the product but ..... get a grip people!

 

If you're frequent sailors and haven't yet realized that the company lettering stands for Must Seem Confusing, you really haven't had the whole MSC experience!!!

 

My guess is many of the first cruises will show up with officers having been to Mass earlier in the day to pray that 1) there's a dock 2) there's a beach and some sand and 3) some vague infrastructure to feed a lot of people. Whether there's cabanas, included drinks, umbrellas, golf carts, jugglers or toilet paper will all be worked out on a daily basis!

 

The rules will be different with each sailing with each different ship and will vary based on time, date, solar activity and direction in which the wind is blowing!

 

It will eventually be great! But keep repeating .... eventually!

 

I told my partner who really isn't into cruising like I am that our Meraviglia cruise will go to their private island. His response: "It actually exists?!"

Maybe, but they are a family owned company which seems to care about guests vs NCL who has their hand in your pocket looking for the last nickel.

[L2float]

Dr. Cocktail- I’ll bring my TP just in case! Thanks for the laugh. It was much needed after a long week at work. I just popped open a bottle of bubbly so that I can get in shape for my upcoming cruise. 😉 Island or no island, I’m so looking forward to the getaway!

[Beamafar]

26 minutes ago, L2float said:

Dr. Cocktail- I’ll bring my TP just in case! ... I just popped open a bottle of bubbly so that I can get in shape for my upcoming cruise. 😉 Island or no island, I’m so looking forward to the getaway!

 

I had to go back and read Dr Cocktail's post to see what TP was lol.  🙄

 

Just having a glass of red wine (or 2) tonight despite a promise that I wouldn't have any alcohol 'til Wednesday (when we fly out to NY).  But I had such a frustrating afternoon that I gave in!  Can't wait to get onboard that ship next Friday - I'm with you on the 'Island or no island' position. 👍

Edited October 11, 2019 by Beamafar

[Fogfog]

Sending you all best wishes upon embarkation and plenty of patience in Miami...

WOW NYC was a cluster

 

Honestly --whether Cunard, MSC, or RCCL? WHY should any port be so poorly organized for embarkation? Immigration???

 

Many hugs to our MSC pax/folks--

 

 

 

 

[Beamafar]

8 hours ago, Fogfog said:

Sending you all best wishes upon embarkation and plenty of patience in Miami...

WOW NYC was a cluster

 

Honestly --whether Cunard, MSC, or RCCL? WHY should any port be so poorly organized for embarkation? Immigration???

 

Many hugs to our MSC pax/folks--

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully we'll be well onboard by this time next week, FF (if embarkation doesn't take 16 hours lol  🙄 😜).  It would be nice if we were to be the first to visit OC, too, even if it's not quite finished.  We've been to Portugese Island, Mozambique, which isn't inhabited, where everything has to be brought ashore on tenders from the ship and facilities are very basic;  but it was a great day.

[Fogfog]

Has anyone seen this yet?

 

 

[CruisinMaterial]

@Fogfog - No I haven't seen it and it warms my heart to know the products sold on the island will also be helping the environment. While I know the ship is a fuel pig, it's nice to help as much as possible. This island is the first time I've heard where a cruise line hasn't been accused of destroying something to make it but rather RESTORING. If you look at NCL's Harvest Caye in Belize and all the environmental reports out of there, what NCL did to build it was downright shameful. MSC has done a remarkable job with Ocean Cay from what I've seen through my time following it. This video seems like it's from a merchandiser but the overall perspective... it makes me excited to see their wares soon!

[Fogfog]

2 minutes ago, CruisinMaterial said:

@Fogfog - No I haven't seen it and it warms my heart to know the products sold on the island will also be helping the environment. While I know the ship is a fuel pig, it's nice to help as much as possible. This island is the first time I've heard where a cruise line hasn't been accused of destroying something to make it but rather RESTORING. If you look at NCL's Harvest Caye in Belize and all the environmental reports out of there, what NCL did to build it was downright shameful. MSC has done a remarkable job with Ocean Cay from what I've seen through my time following it. This video seems like it's from a merchandiser but the overall perspective... it makes me excited to see their wares soon!

Feel the same way

Cruising is certainly a big carbon footprint

That MSC has spent time/considerable $ to restore something and also consider what will be sold etc... nice job on their part.

They have even thought about reef friendly sunscreens and eliminating single use plastics. 

[BermudaBound2014]

Lovely video, thanks for sharing!!

[Nashna]

It does look beautiful.  I wonder if MSC will be selling those special items onboard the ship as well as on OC?

 

[Nymich]

7 hours ago, Fogfog said:

Has anyone seen this yet?

 

 

Great Video Thanks!

[Domen]

I really like the reused plastc part. So no single use plastic on the whole island is quite a feat. Also I will definatelly spend some time in gift shop 😄

Products made from recyled fishing nets could be interesting.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I like that they are using things made by Bahamas people instead of bringing in cheap crap from China.  Looking forward to seeing it in November!