Ocean Cay-are there many shady spots?

[lucy n]

We'll be at Ocean Cay a week tomorrow-first time in the Caribbean and coming from the UK (where it's currently 4 degrees C) so we're very excited!  I saw on the MSC website that you can hire a beach umbrella for the day and was wondering how necessary this is?  Are there many shady spots around the beaches at all or is it pretty crucial to have an umbrella?  Will the staff come and put it up on any of the beaches for you?  We're travelling with 2 small kids so wanted to be prepared!

[Morgsmom]

No need to rent an umbrella.  Get off the ship EARLY and head to the first beach (Lighthouse beach) taking the walking path going LEFT.  The umbrellas there are free.

[KarenGretz]

If you do end up renting one, understand that you have to pick it up at the rental shack at the front of the island by the ship, and then cart it to wherever you want (and then haul it back to the rental shop to turn it into the end of the day). Just because you have an umbrella doesn't mean that you'll be guaranteed a seat or an umbrella stand in which to put it in. This was our experience in March of 2022.

[ChattTenn]

At Lighthouse beach there are umbrellas and bean bags and they are FREE.  On our last cruise in December 2022 we walked past the main buffet and stay right to that beach area (do not remember the name) but there are several shady trees and some chairs (the WC and another food truck are nearby plus very close to the main buffet.

 

Enjoy.