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MSC EURIBIA

#SaveTheSea

MSC Euribia is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas, furthering the vision of the ship to master the deployment of state-of-the-art technology to minimise its impact on the precious marine ecosystem. The ship is also empowered with striking new features. Not only do the decks boast numerous original works of art, for the first time the hull itself is a visual masterpiece. On this unique ship where art meets innovation.

Itineraries

Northern Europe

MSC Grand Voyages

MAIN FEATURES

Environmental stewardship.

Liquified Natural Gas-POWERED SHIP

The iconic design of MSC Euribia

MSC Euribia Pools

Galleria Euribia

Family & Kids

Shopping On Board

Spa & wellness

MSC Yacht Club

Cabins & Suites

Whether you’re looking for a duplex suite with private whirlpool bath, a sea-view balcony cabin or a family option, you’ll find it all on MSC Euribia.

• Surface approx. 12-17 sqm, balcony approx 4-8 sqm
• Sitting area with sofa
• Bathroom with shower or bathtub , vanity area with hairdryer
• Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
• Interactive TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

Choose the cabin type that best suits you:

• Balcony Aurea (best ship position, surface approx. 17 sqm, deck 11-1 3)
• Deluxe Balcony (surface approx. 17 sqm, deck 8-14 )
• Deluxe Balcony with Partial View (surface approx. 17 sqm, deck 8-14 )
• Studio Balcony (single use, surface approx. 12 sqm, deck 13-14 )

The image is representative only

Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same cabin category)

• Surface approx. 12-25 sqm, deck 5-11
• Window with sea view
• Relaxing armchair
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
• Can accomodate up to 6 people
• Premium Ocean View, can accommodate up to 6 people (surface approx. 25 sqm, deck 9-11 )
• Deluxe Ocean View (surface approx. 16 sqm, deck 5 )
• Junior Ocean View (surface approx. 12 sqm, deck 8 )
• Junior Ocean View with obstructed view (surface approx 12 sqm, deck 8 )

• Surface approx. 12-17 sqm, deck 5-14
• Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
• Deluxe Interior (surface approx. 17 sqm, deck 5-14 )
• Studio Interior (single use, surface approx. 12 sqm, deck 5-14 )

Entertainment

Restaurants & Buffet

Il campo restaurant.

Hola! Tacos & Cantina

Kaito Sushi Bar

Kaito Teppanyaki

Marketplace Buffet

Aurora Borealis

Green Orchid

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant

Bars and Lounges

Helios Wine Maker

Carousel Lounge

Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato

Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café

Masters of the Sea

Champagne Bar

Infinity Bar

Atmosphere Bar North

Top sail lounge.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar

• 5. Elbe River
• 6. Ocean Cay
• 7. Galapagos
• 8. Marion Island
• 9. St Helena
• 10. Ross Sea
• 11. Fernando de Noronha
• 12. Rapa Nui
• 13. Zakynthos
• 14. Golf de Morbihan
• 15. Cinque Terre
• 16. Great Barrier Reef
• 18. Portuguese Island
• Studio Interior°
• Deluxe Interior
• Junior Ocean View with Obstructed View
• Junior Ocean View
• Deluxe Ocean View
• Premium Ocean View
• Studio Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony
• Deluxe Balcony with partial view
• Deluxe Balcony Aurea
• Premium Suite Aurea
• Grand Suite Aurea with terrace and whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with whirlpool
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite

B: Cabin with bathtub | BS: Cabin with bathtub and shower | P: Promenade view ° Single cabin with reduced size bed (140x200cm). °° Reduced size bed (140x200cm). • All cabins have one double bed convertible to two single beds except for Studio Interior°. • 3rd and 4th beds available in all categories except for Studio Interior°,  Junior Ocean View with obstructed view°°, Junior Ocean View°° and MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite. • 5th and 6th beds available in Premium Ocean View and Premium Suite Aurea • Cabins 13265, 13376, 14235, 14278 have only bunk bed.

•   Our ships offer the possibility of combining 2 or 3 connecting cabins based on the ship class. Call our Contact Center to choose the best accommodation for you

Ship configuration, data and descriptions may be subject to change depending on the season and on the destination and must be verified at the time of booking.

• Gross tonnage: 184.011
• Number of guests: 6.327
• Number of cabins: 2.419
• Crew members: approx. 1.711
• Length/Beam/Height: 331 m / 43 m / 65 m
• Maximum Speed: 22,30 knots

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MSC Cruises

I spent a night on a new $560 million luxury cruise ship and now I think Explora could dominate the upscale cruise market

• I spent a night on Explora Journeys ' first cruise ship, the $560 million Explora 1.
• Explora is MSC Group's newest cruise line, joining its eponymous MSC Cruises. 
• If it keeps growing, I'm convinced Explora could dominate the growing luxury cruise market.

I spent a night on the new luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys' first vessel. And if its five upcoming ships look anything like this Explora I, I have no doubt the brand could become a dominant player in the growing premium cruise market.

If you've never heard of Explora, you may recognize its owner. This luxury brand isn't backed by cruise giants like Royal Caribbean Group or Carnival Corp. Instead, it has an unconventional parent company: Europe-based MSC Group, one of the world's largest shipping companies.

This name should ring a bell. MSC Group also owns its eponymous cruise line, MSC Cruises , which calls itself the "fastest-growing" cruise line today.

But in terms of their products, this is where the similarities between MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys end.

Some of the cheapest cruises sailing from now through April 2026 are with MSC Cruises, including several $37 per day itineraries, according to data from budget cruise tracker Cruise Sheet.

But don’t call Explora “cheap” — 2024 sailings on this Explora I start at $3,000 per person for a six-night January cruise from Miami to Cartagena, Colombia.

A cool $500 per day does not compare to MSC's $37 per day pricing. But this higher price point does buy you an incomparably more luxurious cruising experience.

Explora really wants you to know that unlike most cruise giants, they are family owned and European.

"Born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, so to speak," Michael Ungerer, the CEO of Explora Journeys, told Insider.

But from the perspective of a consumer walking around (me), the ship doesn't exude European-ness or family-owned-ness.

In the simplest of terms, I just think it’s a really nice ship.

And as someone who recently went aboard the MSC Meraviglia , it's clear the new Explora Journeys and its vessel blows MSC Cruises out of the water in terms of design, quality, and luxuriousness.

Maybe my bar is low — until now, I had only been on one premium cruise ship.

In September, I had an overnight on the new Oceania Cruises' Vista ship, which quickly topped my list of best cruise staterooms I've ever stayed in.

But after spending one night on the Explora I, I can confidently say this new vessel tops my list as the most luxurious cruise ship I’ve ever been on.

On October 12, I spent one night in the Explora I as it was docked in New York City for its naming ceremony.

Ungerer calls this vessel a “boutique-style resort on the water.”

On that note, there are already many luxury resort brands entering the cruise market: the Ritz-Carlton , Four Seasons , and Aman .

Explora's CEO isn't worried about this — "We come from the maritime side."

But I do agree with Ungerer when he says there are elements of luxury hotels speckled throughout this ship.

From the modern, elegant, and unstuffy design to the deluxe food, I have a feeling we're not in MSC Cruises territory anymore. This is where crystal-infused water in the spa meets a whiskey bar and cigar lounge.

Unfortunately for families that love traveling with big cruise brands, the Explora I doesn’t have waterslides, arcades, or any colorfully kitschy interior designs that have become popular on mega ships.

Instead, it was subtly luxurious, appearing more like a premium hotel than a cruise ship . Think " quiet luxury " instead of something glamorously ostentatious.

While I like the fun and flashy amenities on ships like the Norwegian Prima and Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas (shown below), I didn’t miss them on the Explora 1.

Explora Journeys is targeting a different demographic after all.

The new vessel has 461 suites from 377 square-feet to 3,014 square-feet.

I was put in the smallest cabin segment. Yet my suite was the largest I've ever stayed in. Before this, all of my staterooms had been under 300 square-feet .

Inside, I was welcomed with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, an espresso machine, a Dyson hairdryer stored in its own drawer, and a semi-separated living room.

Through the sliding doors, my room had a balcony with a table, chairs, and a daybed.

Instead of Veuve Clicquot, guests in the higher-end suites receive a bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 2013. No, I'm not bitter .

My cabin looked more like a sizable and efficiently designed hotel room than a cruise ship stateroom.

I've never had a walk-in closet with a vanity inside my cruise ship cabin. It was bigger than my New York City bathroom.

And this feeling of spaciousness was reflected throughout the 813-foot-long Explora I.

Amenities and people didn't feel crammed together, although that could be because I wasn't on a full revenue sailing.

If all of the rooms are filled at double occupancy, the ship can sail with 922 guests.

This is significantly less than mega ships like the Icon of the Seas that will sail with thousands of people.

To feed these passengers, the Explora I has six dining and 12 bar venues. All but one are included in the price.

Because the brand is all-inclusive, the ship's five restaurants, access to parts of the spa, WiFi, alcohol, sodas, and coffee are included in the cost to travel.

The only dining venue that’s not is Anthology.

This concept is helmed by rotating guest chefs, including some who have led kitchens with several Michelin stars. Expect to pay $190 for the tasting menu or $265 with the wine pairing.

But that doesn’t mean the other dining venues aren’t upscale as well.

Don't worry, you can still get some premium wagyu beef at the ship's pan-Asian Sakura restaurant.

Even the buffet was swanky from the sushi station to grilled lobster tails and crab legs.

Unlike most cruise buffets, there are no self-serving tongs. Instead, the kitchen crew fills your plate for you.

Besides this all-you-can-eat epicenter, there were several spaces on the Explora I that made it stand out from the typical cruise ship.

In place of the typical cruise atrium, the "Lobby Bar" looks more like an actual hotel bar.

This classy watering hole is flanked by tunes from the overhead Steinway and Sons piano and onboard shopping, which includes a Cartier outpost and the first Rolex store at sea.

Yes, they have limited inventory for travelers to purchase.

And in place of one giant pool deck that grounds the ship, the vessel has four smaller pools.

This includes an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and one under a retractable glass roof. The latter looks like a cruise solarium .

For the fitness enthusiasts, there’s even a small outdoor gym on the top deck.

A sports court and a bar, of course, are right next to this little open aired gym.

Throughout the ship, there are 64 private cabanas to make outdoor lounging feel more exclusive.

From the coffee "store" to the many lounges with live entertainment, it's not hard to find pockets of space for yourself.

Or you could just sit in your suite's balcony with the pair of binoculars that come in every cabin.

The Explora I seems more like a place to unwind than a jam-packed destination with exhilarating amenities to explore.

And while I typically prefer these more amusement park-at-sea type cruise ships, I can't deny that Explora's newest vessel is the most luxurious and beautifully designed I've been on so far.

It seems I’m not the only one whose affinity for luxury has made me a fan of Explora.

Since this ship's launch two months ago, Ungerer says the brand has been seeing an uptick in bookings week after week.

Right now, about 60% of its customers are from the US and Canada, primarily because the ship is in the US now.

Typically, Ungerer says this demographic is split between the Americas and the rest of the world. And about half of these travelers are first time cruisers, the CEO of the new brand said.

And like the less luxurious MSC Cruises, Explora is growing.

The brand plans to have six ships in its fleet by 2028.

This first Explora I only just set sail in August 2023. Explora II will hit the seas in the summer of 2024.

If the next five ships are just as ritzy as the Explora I, I have no doubt this new brand will go on to become a strong competitor in the growing luxury cruise market.

• Main content

MSC Cruises ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

What's the newest MSC Cruises ship? It can be hard to keep track, as MSC Cruises has been rolling out new cruise ships in quick succession over the past few years. However, it's a good thing to know if you're in the market for an MSC Cruises voyage.

The newest MSC Cruises ship is typically also the MSC Cruises ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It's what you want if you want the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your MSC Cruises vacation.

Right now, the newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia . It just debuted in June. Although it's barely a couple of months old, it'll soon be supplanted as the newest MSC Cruises vessel by another new MSC Cruises ship, MSC World America , which is scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Other relatively new MSC Cruises ships include MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape , MSC Seashore and MSC Virtuoso. All began sailing in just the last three years.

In all, MSC Cruises operates 22 cruise vessels — up from 17 in 2020. On average, the line comes out without about one new ship a year, though its rollout of ships has been rapid the past few years. MSC Cruises typically keeps vessels in its fleet for around 20 to 25 years before retiring them from the fleet. The oldest MSC Cruises ship, MSC Armonia, is 22 years old.

In general, the newest MSC Cruises ships are far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities in an MSC Cruises cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to vessels built in the last decade or so.

Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

The oldest MSC Cruises ships — those built in the early 2000s — are less than a third the size of the line's newest vessels and have far fewer venues on board.

The newest MSC Cruises ships are particularly known for being bustling, activity-packed ships.

Here, every MSC Cruise ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. MSC Euribia

Maiden voyage: 2023 Size: 184,011 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,810

2. MSC World Europa

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 215,863 gross tons Passenger capacity : 5,200

3. MSC Seascape

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 170,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,540

4. MSC Seashore

Maiden voyage: 2021 Size: 170,412 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,540

5. MSC Virtuosa

Maiden voyage: 2021 Size: 181,541 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,842

6. MSC Grandiosa

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 181,541 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,842

7. MSC Bellissima

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 171,598 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,488

8. MSC Seaview

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 153,516 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,132

9. MSC Seaside

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 153,516 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,132

10. MSC Meraviglia

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 171,598 gross tons Passenger capacity : 4,488

11. MSC Preziosa

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 139,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,502

12. MSC Divina

Maiden voyage: 2012 Size: 139,400 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,502

13. MSC Magnifica

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 95,128 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,518

14. MSC Splendida

Maiden voyage: 2009 Size: 137,936 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,274

15. MSC Fantasia

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 137,936 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,274

16. MSC Poesia

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 92,627 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

17. MSC Orchestra

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 92,409 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

18. MSC Musica

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 92,409 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,550

19. MSC Opera

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 65,591 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,150

20. MSC Lirica

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 65,591 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,984

21. MSC Sinfonia

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 65,542 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,984

22. MSC Armonia

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 65,542 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,199

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship?

The newest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Euribia. As noted above, it just debuted in June, and it's currently sailing in Europe.

Measuring 184,011 gross tons, MSC Euribia is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world — only 10 cruise vessels are bigger. However, it's not the biggest MSC Cruises ship. That's the almost-as-new MSC World Europa, which debuted in December 2022. At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world.

What is the oldest MSC Cruises ship?

The oldest MSC Cruises ship is MSC Armonia. Unveiled in 2001, it's not just the oldest MSC Cruises ship but one of the smallest MSC Cruises ships, too — far smaller than the newest MSC Cruises vessels. Measuring just 65,542 gross tons, it's just a third the size of the largest MSC Cruises ship (MSC World Europa) and has far fewer venues.

MSC Armonia and three other similar sisters in the MSC Cruises fleet (known as the Lirica class of ships) don't have the big water parks that are common on newer MSC Cruises ships. For the most part, their top decks are lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the early 2000s.

MSC Armonia and its sister vessels (MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera) also have fewer restaurants, bars and lounges than newer MSC Cruises ships.

What new MSC Cruises ships are coming?

MSC Cruises currently has three new cruise ships on order — all sister vessels to the line's new MSC World Europa. The first to arrive will be MSC World America in 2025, which is scheduled to be deployed in Florida . Two more of the so-called World-class vessels are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.

The World-class vessels are being built at the giant Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Related: The best destinations you can visit on an MSC Cruises ship

In addition to the above, MSC Group — the line's parent company — has announced plans for yet another class of big MSC Cruises ships to start arriving later this decade, though few details have been released. MSC Group is also developing a series of small luxury vessels that'll operate under a separate brand to be called Explora Journeys.

What is the newest MSC Cruises ship available for booking?

MSC World America is the newest MSC Cruises ship that you can book right now. While the ship isn't yet sailing, its initial sailings scheduled for April 2025 already are on sale, as are future sailings through October 2025. The two other MSC Cruises ships on order for delivery in 2026 and 2027 have yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships?

The World class is the newest class of MSC Cruises ships. It'll be made up of at least four vessels, only the first of which (MSC World Europa) is already sailing.

At 215,863 gross tons, MSC World Europa is the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever built and the sixth biggest cruise ship in the world from any line. The next three ships in the series will be of a similar size.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we considered it a new vessel for 2023 when we listed the year's most exciting new ships ), MSC World Europa can hold up to 6,762 passengers — almost as many as can fit on Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class vessels — the world's largest cruise ships.

What's the difference between newer and older MSC Cruises ships?

Newer MSC Cruises ships are generally bigger than older MSC Cruises ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for a lot more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

The new MSC World Europa, for instance, has a whopping six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings also include an aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

In addition, MSC World Europa has a stunning array of 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants, each with its own ambience. You'll also find lots of venues for entertainment and pampering on the ship, including a large casino and an equally large spa.

In short, the new MSC World Europa is like a giant floating version of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando area or Las Vegas, and it appeals to people who like a megaresort experience.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises

The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises are less than a third the size of the newest MSC Cruises ships and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While World-class ships are being built to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with every berth full, the line's four oldest vessels (known as the Lirica class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at maximum occupancy.

That makes them a good choice for someone who wants to try MSC Cruises but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the MSC Cruises fleet thus appeal to a subset of MSC Cruises fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these MSC Cruises loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at MSC Cruises are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of MSC World Europa.

Note that all MSC Cruises ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest MSC Cruises vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

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MSC Euribia Has 21 Bars, 10 Restaurants, and 5 Gorgeous Pools — and It Sailed the World's First Net-zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cruise

MSC Euribia was then officially named by actress Sophia Loren

In the global quest for a sustainable future, the cruise industry is putting in the work. MSC Cruises, for example, just sailed the world's first net-zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage on its brand-new MSC Euribia, one big step on the company's journey to becoming net-zero as a whole by 2050.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Last week, MSC Euribia traveled from Saint-Nazaire, France, to Copenhagen on a fuel-optimized mini-sailing. Euribia is the second ship in the family-owned Italian cruise line's 22-vessel fleet to be powered by liquified natural gas, or LNG, a fuel that produces far fewer carbon emissions than traditional maritime propellants. In fact, the ship produces up to 19 percent less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger per day than its sibling ships that use conventional fuel.

The 1,085-foot-long, 184,011-gross-ton cruise ship is part of MSC's Meraviglia-plus class and can carry about 6,300 passengers in its 2,419 cabins. The ship has 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, and five pools to keep guests entertained all day (and night) long; one of its standout features is the new-to-the-brand Carousel Lounge, which offers panoramic views of the sea by day and serves as the entertainment venue for the Big Band at Sea by night. 

The ship also boasts a lovely display of artwork. Inside, you'll find an immersive animation by British artist Julian Opie in l'Atelier du Voyageur bar, showcasing his signature walking figures. Outside is a ship-long mural by German graphic artist Alex Flämig with the hashtag #SaveTheSeas — the mural was selected as part of a worldwide competition hosted by MSC in 2021.

After arriving in Copenhagen last week, MSC Euribia was officially named by its godmother, the Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren, who has a longstanding relationship with the cruise line. MSC Euribia will now sail seven-day itineraries around Northern Europe, including Norway's fjords, for the rest of the summer.

Rates for a seven-night cruise on MSC Euribia start at $609 per person, and you can book at msccruisesusa.com .

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Extraordinary features that offer the perfect experience at sea in every season

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Exquisite, authentic dining options in 12 distinct venues

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MSC Meraviglia will be able to dock at any cruise port around the world, expanding your choice of itineraries and destinations: a huge added bonus for any traveller

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Dive into the Virtual Reality view to discover MSC Meraviglia

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Have you tried snuba? This cruise line's private island offers a unique experience

Climate change is drastically impacting the world around us, including the way people travel and the destinations themselves. “Green Travel” is a seven-part series delving into how climate change is transforming the landscape of travel. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can   click here to fill out this quick form .

Kimberly Semien knows how to seize a beach day. The 47-year-old lives far from the sea in Moore, Oklahoma, so when she visited Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas in May, she made the most of it.

Semien, who was on a week-long MSC Cruises sailing with her husband Phillip, spent the day reading under an umbrella, taking naps on the beach and swimming. “This water was crystal clear,” she said. “Like, I could see all the way down to my feet and tell what color my nail polish was.”

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She appreciated the simplicity of the destination, which is devoid of the thrill rides and big water slides some other cruise line private islands have. “I could go to ( Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City ) or Frontier City and do the other stuff, but having the ocean, that's something we don't have here, so I take advantage of that,” said Semien, who works as an electric company switchboard operator.

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The focus on nature is intentional. “We don't have huge theme parks, we don't have water parks,” said Ocean Cay Managing Director Andrew Brett. “We're all about the natural beach day experience.” But there’s more to the 103-acre island than what passengers might see at first glance.

Ocean Cay is also the site of scientific work aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change on marine habitats. The island is ramping up educational opportunities for guests in the coming months, offering more than just fun in the sand and sun.

"Sustainable tourism is the way to go," said Brett. It's the future, and I think it's what consumers and our guests want."

Hawaii's beaches are disappearing: The uncertain future of Oahu's iconic Waikiki

How is MSC restoring Ocean Cay?

The island was the site of industrial mining of aragonite sand before it was abandoned. MSC signed a long-term lease on the island in 2015, with the agreement they would uphold conservation work, and began cleaning it up. The company removed over 7,000 tons of scrap metal and moved 400 hard coral colonies from debris on the ocean bed to a place where they could grow.

The Bahamian government designated Ocean Cay and the surrounding waters a marine reserve in 2020.

Restoring coral reefs at the site is a key focus for the MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MSC Group, which owns MSC Cruises. Through its Super Coral program, the foundation is growing critically endangered coral to be outplanted within a 64-square-mile area surrounding the island.

“According to conservation scientists, the key to reversing the rapid decline in coral reefs lies in assisting coral’s natural selection process by establishing certain hardy species and varieties, dubbed ‘Super Coral’, which are more resilient to severe environmental stresses like extreme heat,” the foundation’s website reads.

Marine heat waves caused mass coral bleaching – a sign of stress – and die-offs in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean in 2023. Many of the reefs at Ocean Cay were impacted but have remained “very healthy” overall, according to Dr. Owen O’Shea, Marine Research Program Manager at the foundation.

Those events also provide useful intel. “Essentially, we monitor the reefs here and look for signs of bleaching, disease and increased mortality as part of our holistic marine management, so when we see a reef that has experienced significant bleaching and yet there remains colonies of seemingly healthy and living corals despite what the overall reef has experienced, we then source fragments from these surviving colonies.”

The island’s nursery corals experienced bleaching as well, but 100% survived. “This is evidence – albeit anecdotal – that our selection process for nursery specimens is valid and that our proof of concept is working, that is, selecting for those genotypes that may be exhibiting a greater (adaptation) to increased water temperature,” he said.

MSC also planted 75,000 plants and shrubs and 5,000 trees and palms, 95% of which are native to the Caribbean, in an effort to create a “natural infrastructure,” he added. Native plants can help conserve water, prevent erosion and provide food and shelter for animals.

The team has seen birds return to the island and turtles come back to nest.

“So I think nature is also vindicating that what MSC has done is sustainable in the long term,” O’Shea said.

Last year, marine conservation nonprofit Mission Blue – led by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle – named Ocean Cay a "Hope Spot," a site deemed critical to the ocean’s health. “This recognizes its comprehensive restoration efforts and commitment to protecting marine biodiversity,” Earle said in a video announcement .

What can guests do at Ocean Cay?

MSC largely lets nature do the talking at Ocean Cay, with many activities taking place in or near the water. Visitors can go snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking, or play beach soccer and volleyball. Guests can climb a lighthouse that offers sweeping views and a light show at night. Ships stay at Ocean Cay from at least early morning through sunset, and often overnight.

Of course, relaxing beach days are also on the menu, with cabana rentals and loungers available. Guests can also snack on Bahamian cuisine, sip drinks, and visit an on-site shopping village.

Semien and her husband spent their day in an area exclusive to guests of the Yacht Club, MSC’s ship-within-a-ship concept . They also had access to a private restaurant. 

O'Shea noted that the island's walking pathways were also designed to steer people away from sensitive areas so that vacations and conservation efforts could coexist.

What's coming to Ocean Cay? 'We all have a piece to play'

MSC plans to further integrate those in the coming months. A marine conservation center on Ocean Cay will host both working scientists and students, and educational opportunities for guests, with pavilions, coral exhibition tanks and a lecture hall. The facility is expected to be accessible to cruise passengers in March 2025.

While many current tours take place in the water, guests will be able to take a new land-based tour and hear about the island’s transformation, see wildlife like iguanas, pelicans and egrets, and learn about the marine ecosystem beginning later this month (the tour will incorporate a visit to the conservation center upon its completion). Snuba – a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling that doesn’t require certification – will also allow visitors to see corals that are deeper underwater starting in mid-September.

MSC has taken other steps to minimize Ocean Cay’s carbon footprint, such as barring single-use plastics from the island and utilizing mostly solar power. The company added a third solar farm this year as part of enhancements.

And while sustainability is still a work in progress for the cruise industry, including MSC, only the line’s newer, more energy-efficient ships stop at the destination.

When guests visit the management building on the island, Brett said he relishes sharing the details of those efforts with them “and how we all have a piece to play in replenishing the natural world and the environment that we take so much from.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Have you tried snuba? This cruise line's private island offers a unique experience

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Miami-dade man accused of ‘forcefully’ pulling down 6-year-old boy’s swimsuit on cruise.

Chris Gothner , Digital Journalist

MIAMI – A west Miami-Dade man was caught on camera on board an MSC cruise ship pulling down a 6-year-old boy’s swimsuit — twice — leading to his arrest on three felony charges after the ship returned to PortMiami, according to police.

Authorities took Sergey Asanov, a 64-year-old Russian national who lives in the Fontainebleau area, into custody on Saturday.

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According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Police Department, the incident happened last Tuesday as the MSC Seascape was in international waters.

Police said Asanov and the victim were engaging in “horseplay” in a jacuzzi when Asanov held the boy’s head underwater, then “forcefully” removed the boy’s swimming trunks, exposing his genitals.

The report states Asanov gave the boy his swimsuit back. After the boy dressed himself and got out of the jacuzzi, Asanov “pushed the victim back inside the jacuzzi and forcefully removed (his) pants a second time,” police wrote.

The report doesn’t state whether Asanov was a stranger to the boy.

A Miami-Dade judge found probable cause to charge him with two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 16 and one count of child abuse; court records show he was released Monday on a $17,500 bond.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Chris gothner.

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

With four new ships already on the way, Disney Cruise Line announces four more

• Disney Cruise Line just announced four new ships.
• The new ships will double the size of the cruise line’s fleet over the next decade.
• The additional ships will connect with even wider audiences.

Disney Cruise Line just announced four new ships. 

No, not the ones you’re thinking of.  

We already knew the Disney Treasure is launching this December, the Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny will set sail next year, and that Disney is partnering with Oriental Land Company, which owns Tokyo Disney Resort , on a new OLC-owned ship inspired by the Disney Wish . 

Four additional ships were announced Saturday night at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The new ships will launch between 2027 and 2031. Together, with the four previously announces ships, they will double the size of Disney Cruise Line's fleet in less than a decade.

D23’s biggest parks announcements: New lands, experiences announced for Disney World and beyond

“The demand on our existing cruise fleet is very, very high, so we know there's a big opportunity here to invest aggressively in incremental cruise ships,” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro told USA TODAY. There are currently five ships in the fleet.

Disney Cruise Line is very popular among Disney fans, particularly families. 

“We know that when guests get on one of our ships, 40, 50% of them are saying the only reason I'm cruising today is because Disney is here, so we've essentially created this space,” he said. “We also know that those guests are having exceptional experiences with us. They rate us very, very highly, and they tend to want to come back.” 

He said the additional ships will connect with even wider audiences.  

Citing Disney Adventure, which will be Disney’s first to sail Southeast Asia, he said,  “Now we're going to have a fleet that can go meet our fans where they are and tell all these amazing stories that we have.” 

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .