Did they think the water was enough?

[auntlynne]

That place looks fabulous.
Which reminds me I wonder how MSC's island and NCL's island are doing now. I had forgotten during lockdown that they'd been on my radar!

Went to MSC’s Ocean cay twice since 2021 and NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay in December 2023. I’m going to say they are doing well.

I still have the personality that prefers CC as a private beach destination. And I spend nearly all my time at Serenity Bay. Not because of children. It’s the openness, clear, pale, shallow water. And no music. No boisterous activities. Sun, water, sand. And no concern with local pickpockets nabbing my stuff.

Smooth, raked, seaweed-free, fairly packed sand.

MSC’s Ocean Cay is a lovely development as far as a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The buildings are attractive. The workers’ on-site housing is not hidden and looks like an attractive apartment complex that should be in a tropical location.

You are docked right on the shore and, just like CC, start walking to get to food, beach, or transportation. They use golf carts and don’t have the amount US guests would want (my thinking). They don’t have the same expectation of tram use that Disney has.

They have more beach areas. And a set-apart area for those in Concierge. With its own up-scale dining room. And beach area (but I think it’s rocky).

They have jet skis, at a fairly reasonable rate.

Lunch is no better than CC and has the same limitation of availability hours. But they also have for-fee food trucks. Of course, head back to the ship if you miss lunch hours on the island.

Their sand was not packed. It was a struggle to walk IN it, not just on it.

Loungers are free. Umbrellas are not - and you needed to carry yours from the rental facility!

NCL Great Stirrup Csy - the water was too cold in December. I can handle CC then. I think it has to do with the shallow depth at CC.

There were so many loungers. Palm trees offered free shade. I don’t remember if the umbrellas were a charge.

Many of the buildings were aesthetically not to my liking (this is just an opinion). The food service area was non-descript, clean, new (all positives) under a roof when in line (unlike Cookies). The dining pavilions looked very new and had easy-access picnic tables. You could enter from the end without having to swing your leg up and over.

Again, close your eyes at any of these islands and you couldn’t determine location based on food.

Lots of beach area options. I saw people doing golf putting or mini golf. Their lighthouse (lovely paint by Guy Harvey) was one end of a zip line.

This island had more noisy areas, with adult activities involving drinking and music and dancing or games. But easily avoided.

It is a tender port.

Ocean Cay was due to be closed for many months starting this Spring. I haven’t followed up to see if they are, indeed, adding a pool or water features area.

 

[auntlynne]

My first reaction to plans for LP was “too loud, too much trying for Bahamian culture as emphasis - as opposed to focusing on that spectacular water and setting.” Now, it’s just “is there a place for me to sit down between ship and getting in the tram if I feel faint? Which is a possibility.

I want to see some intermittently placed benches. They might be in the works or could be added as an afterthought.

I see there are bars with chairs (higher than loungers) for me when not in the water. Makes me happy.

 

[momof2n2]

Went to MSC’s Ocean cay twice since 2021 and NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay in December 2023. I’m going to say they are doing well.

I still have the personality that prefers CC as a private beach destination. And I spend nearly all my time at Serenity Bay. Not because of children. It’s the openness, clear, pale, shallow water. And no music. No boisterous activities. Sun, water, sand. And no concern with local pickpockets nabbing my stuff.

Smooth, raked, seaweed-free, fairly packed sand.

MSC’s Ocean Cay is a lovely development as far as a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The buildings are attractive. The workers’ on-site housing is not hidden and looks like an attractive apartment complex that should be in a tropical location.

You are docked right on the shore and, just like CC, start walking to get to food, beach, or transportation. They use golf carts and don’t have the amount US guests would want (my thinking). They don’t have the same expectation of tram use that Disney has.

They have more beach areas. And a set-apart area for those in Concierge. With its own up-scale dining room. And beach area (but I think it’s rocky).

They have jet skis, at a fairly reasonable rate.

Lunch is no better than CC and has the same limitation of availability hours. But they also have for-fee food trucks. Of course, head back to the ship if you miss lunch hours on the island.

Their sand was not packed. It was a struggle to walk IN it, not just on it.

Loungers are free. Umbrellas are not - and you needed to carry yours from the rental facility!

NCL Great Stirrup Csy - the water was too cold in December. I can handle CC then. I think it has to do with the shallow depth at CC.

There were so many loungers. Palm trees offered free shade. I don’t remember if the umbrellas were a charge.

Many of the buildings were aesthetically not to my liking (this is just an opinion). The food service area was non-descript, clean, new (all positives) under a roof when in line (unlike Cookies). The dining pavilions looked very new and had easy-access picnic tables. You could enter from the end without having to swing your leg up and over.

Again, close your eyes at any of these islands and you couldn’t determine location based on food.

Lots of beach area options. I saw people doing golf putting or mini golf. Their lighthouse (lovely paint by Guy Harvey) was one end of a zip line.

This island had more noisy areas, with adult activities involving drinking and music and dancing or games. But easily avoided.

It is a tender port.

Ocean Cay was due to be closed for many months starting this Spring. I haven’t followed up to see if they are, indeed, adding a pool or water features area.

Thank you so much for these descriptions!!!

 

[loislane]

NCL Great Stirrup Csy - the water was too cold in December. I can handle CC then. I think it has to do with the shallow depth at CC.

There were so many loungers. Palm trees offered free shade. I don’t remember if the umbrellas were a charge.

Many of the buildings were aesthetically not to my liking (this is just an opinion). The food service area was non-descript, clean, new (all positives) under a roof when in line (unlike Cookies). The dining pavilions looked very new and had easy-access picnic tables. You could enter from the end without having to swing your leg up and over.

Again, close your eyes at any of these islands and you couldn’t determine location based on food.

Lots of beach area options. I saw people doing golf putting or mini golf. Their lighthouse (lovely paint by Guy Harvey) was one end of a zip line.

This island had more noisy areas, with adult activities involving drinking and music and dancing or games. But easily avoided.

It is a tender port.

We were just at Great Stirrup Cay in February. Yes, lots of loungers but if you want one with an umbrella, it's an upcharge. I want to say it was around $25, but we passed on it so I don't know for sure.

Water was too cold for me to want to get in it and snorkel and we aren't big drinker, so for us GSC felt like there wasn't much to do unless you wanted to pay to zipline.

In the end, it didn't really matter because, as you noted, it's a tender port and very weather-dependent. We were only on the island long enough to walk the beach and grab some lunch before the captain ordered everyone back to the ship due to in incoming cold front. By the time our tender got to the ship, it was pretty choppy and it took forever to unload the tender because the crew were timing it so people "walked the plank" when it dipped down so people wouldn't crack their head on the doorway.

It was my least favorite day of our NCL cruise.

 

[auntlynne]

We were just at Great Stirrup Cay in February. Yes, lots of loungers but if you want one with an umbrella, it's an upcharge. I want to say it was around $25, but we passed on it so I don't know for sure.

Water was too cold for me to want to get in it and snorkel and we aren't big drinker, so for us GSC felt like there wasn't much to do unless you wanted to pay to zipline.

In the end, it didn't really matter because, as you noted, it's a tender port and very weather-dependent. We were only on the island long enough to walk the beach and grab some lunch before the captain ordered everyone back to the ship due to in incoming cold front. By the time our tender got to the ship, it was pretty choppy and it took forever to unload the tender because the crew were timing it so people "walked the plank" when it dipped down so people wouldn't crack their head on the doorway.

It was my least favorite day of our NCL cruise.

Other than beautiful weather on my visit, we had similar visits - and takes on them. I walked the island to see what it offered (and, yes, compare it to other beaches I have visited).

 

[auntlynne]

MSC Ocean Cay Update

No pool or water features added!

June 3, 2024 from SeaTrade cruise News:

“Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve reopened as scheduled following six weeks of closure for enhancements, though work on further upgrades is ongoing.

During the closure, the main Ocean Cay Lagoon was refreshed, and most work was completed on the new kids' lagoon, Seakers Cove. (That spelling mirrors the name of Seakers Food Court.)
Structures across the island were refurbished, and a substantial portion of the expansion of Ocean House bar and restaurant, exclusively for MSC Yacht Club guests, was finished.

An MSC Cruises spokesperson said final elements of the project are expected to be completed by the end of the winter 2024/25 season, late March/early April.

Coming attractions​

These entail guest and staff member improvements including a new food hall, larger bars at the island's two busiest beaches, additional shore excursion centers, family-friendly offerings, the new Marine Conservation Center (to highlight sustainability efforts such as the island's super coral project), additional restroom facilities and expanded staff accommodations.
'We are working hard to ensure these ongoing advancements will not impact our signature Ocean Cay experience that allows guests to connect with nature, relax and experience the island’s beauty,' the spokesperson said.

MSC Meraviglia was the first ship back, on May 23.”

 

[cyndiella]

Fortunately, the fly problems appears to be solved.

Soooo happy to hear this! Thanks for posting.

 

[cyndiella]

Here are my thoughts after now going to Lookout Cay twice and Castaway Cay on the same cruise - the only cruise to go to 3 Disney destinations in a row!

Beach: the beach is gorgeous. Pink soft sand, on a calm day very tranquil water but on a very windy and rough day, there are small waves that take away the tranquility. On a calm day, the best beach I've ever been too. On a windy day, still nice, but not the complete calm and tranquil shelter of Castaway Cay and less desirable. At least the ship can still dock on windy days, so that's a plus.

Is the sand really PINK!!?? woohoo!
Also, I love to just sit on the sand (grounding) and watch the waves... I don't need a chair, I may need a towel. Can I bring one off the ship? (I will remember to bring it back) or do they have towels I can use to sit on? We've been to CC but this is my first time at LC. Not a "in the water above my knees" type grandma here.

 

[Mags2002]

Is the sand really PINK!!?? woohoo!
Also, I love to just sit on the sand (grounding) and watch the waves... I don't need a chair, I may need a towel. Can I bring one off the ship? (I will remember to bring it back) or do they have towels I can use to sit on? We've been to CC but this is my first time at LC. Not a "in the water above my knees" type grandma here.

Yes it is pink. You can pick up a towel when you get off the tram if you don’t want to carry it all the way

 

[cyndiella]

Does anyone have pictures of the pink sand?? please share!

 

[Mags2002]

Does anyone have pictures of the pink sand?? please share!

It’s really difficult to see in photos. But when you’re there it has a pinky tinge to it. Maybe someone is using a better camera than me and has good photos!

 

[auntlynne]

Does anyone have pictures of the pink sand?? please share!

From shesomajor:

and the Orlando Sentinel.



I show these, as the idea of Pink sand is usually more intense than the reality. Bermuda has pink sand - and I had to look closely to see it. If you are lucky and are at a pink sand beach when the elements of lighting and chemical makeup of the sand is just right, you might get a deeper concentration of color. And appreciate it if you see it.

But compare it to coarse, brownish sand you see some places.

 

[Cheburashka]

Does anyone have pictures of the pink sand?? please share!

It isn't dark pink. Maybe some slightly pink overtones if you look carefully and see it in a certain light. But not an obvious pink like on Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Islands.

 

[cyndiella]

It isn't dark pink. Maybe some slightly pink overtones if you look carefully and see it in a certain light. But not an obvious pink like on Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Islands.

I guess I'll look for a pink filter for my camera!

 

[NoodlesMom]

We visited Eleuthera 3 years ago when Disney started the process. It was a huge deal on the Eleuthera FB pages! People were rallying together and attending meeting trying to stop Disneys project on Lighthouse Point. Lighthouse Point was pristine and difficult to get to and they loved it that way. It’s really interesting to see comments and why Disney did this and that knowing that they had to really fight just to make this project a reality whether that was a good or bad thing.

 

[Cheburashka]

We visited Eleuthera 3 years ago when Disney started the process. It was a huge deal on the Eleuthera FB pages! People were rallying together and attending meeting trying to stop Disneys project on Lighthouse Point. Lighthouse Point was pristine and difficult to get to and they loved it that way. It’s really interesting to see comments and why Disney did this and that knowing that they had to really fight just to make this project a reality whether that was a good or bad thing.

Disney should have picked another island, one where the investment would have been welcomed rather than resisted. Then the locals would be happier with the situation, and Disney would have had the freedom to provide its customers the full Disney experience they're paying for.

Pushing this deal through, while making a lot of concessions to locals and environmentalists that hurt the (very expensive) DCL vacation experience, was a bad call which leaves neither the locals/environmentalists nor the cruisers really happy.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Disney should have picked another island, one where the investment would have been welcomed rather than resisted. Then the locals would be happier with the situation, and Disney would have had the freedom to provide its customers the full Disney experience they're paying for.

Pushing this deal through, while making a lot of concessions to locals and environmentalists that hurt the (very expensive) DCL vacation experience, was a bad call which leaves neither the locals/environmentalists nor the cruisers really happy.

Because there are so many islands to pick from? I think its easy to second guess all this and wave our hands with obvious answers without the pain of actual practical considerations, but Disney didn't pick just any island, they did get a very pristine beach with amazing water and treated it like a valuable resource, not something to be bulldozed over and through. Not to mention the different experience of actually having real port excursions available. Times change, some of us older folk grew up where the environment was treated like a toilet bowl and take that for granted as the way to move forward. But today's generation is all about save the planet and all that, maybe they actually will appreciate this approach. who knows? but they are the up and coming cruisers, and maybe this island is more for them than the crowd that wants disney ears on coco cay.

I keep coming to this... Choice is good. We don't need Castaway Cay Version 2. You want Castaway Cay? Go to Castaway Cay. It's still there. People chose their cruises based on ports, ships, and other factors. This is just another port to decide on. Not the end of Disney as we know it. Time will tell if LC is a bad call or not, I bet in a few years it will be judged a good call.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I agree with parts of two different posts

Pushing this deal through, while making a lot of concessions to locals and environmentalists that hurt the (very expensive) DCL vacation experience, was a bad call which leaves neither the locals/environmentalists nor the cruisers really happy.

If environmental reasons are the only things preventing the pier from having shade and benches, that's a problem. I know older people who might think they could do the pier, but then realize partway through they will need a break. Also I could see people with kids telling thier little ones, "okay, just walk to the bench and then we can sit." I haven't been in person, but the pier looks awful to walk. Psychologically seeing it is daunting. I agree with @Chebrurashaka. At some point, once they realized all of the concessions they would need to make, Disney should have walked away from the deal while they still could.

Because there are so many islands to pick from? I think its easy to second guess all this and wave our hands with obvious answers without the pain of actual practical considerations, but Disney didn't pick just any island, they did get a very pristine beach with amazing water and treated it like a valuable resource, not something to be bulldozed over and through.

I agree with this. Being environmentally aware and not going over the top with construction and building is a positive thing.

I think it's a shame that a compromise could not have been reached that would still maintain the environment as much as possible, but also make for a better guest experience and first impression.

 

[cyndiella]

Can we rent bikes on Lookout Cay? Has anyone walked (or road a bike) on the nature trails? What was your experience?

 

[cyndiella]

What are the times for the RUSH! Junkanoo Parade?
(Please don't say 3 o'clock )