New ‘luxury private island’ in Caribbean set to open in 2028

A luxury cruise line plans to open a new private island destination in the Bahamas in 2028 that is exclusive to its guests and passengers.

Sandy Cay is the latest private island getaway from Switzerland-based MSC Cruises, which will offer exclusive excursions to guests aboard its cruises and its subsidiary’s, Explora Journeys.

MSC Cruises also owns and operates a nearby private island called the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in 2019 in a rehabilitated and restored former industrial site.

According to the cruise line, Sandy Cay was conceived as “an intimate complement to Ocean Cay.”

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This new private island, because you can never have too many, offers a “more secluded escape” that gives guests the chance to experience a quieter and more immersive getaway with a focus on the “the natural rhythms of the ocean and the spirit of the Bahamas.”

“Pristine aragonite sands—among the purest and brightest in the world—give Sandy Cay its name and its character, shaping an island defined by serenity,” MSC Cruises wrote in a news release. “Sandy Cay has been carefully envisioned as a destination designed to offer a more intimate yet elevated and immersive experience. It remains true to the ethos that defines Ocean Cay – connecting guests to nature and the natural beauty of the ocean.”

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Sandy Cay is expected to open to guests of both cruise lines by 2028, although an exact date was not disclosed.

MSC Cruises has more than one private island

MSC Cruises has made significant capital investments into its Bahamian properties. Earlier this year, the company announced major upgrades were coming to its Ocean Cay property by 2027.

Those improvements include new facilities and experiences geared toward improving the guest experience. Among them, new dining venues and expanded “relaxation areas,” as well as immersive experiences that the company says are meant to encourage guest to engage with marine conservation.

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“The new MSC Foundation ‘Shifting Perspective’ Experience will invite guests to explore marine conservation through immersive, hands-on experiences, from coral restoration and scientific discovery to interactive exploration of ocean ecosystems,” the company said back in January.

Additional improvements at Ocean Cay include new “beach concepts” designed for families and adults, including an adults-only beach and a “fully equipped” family lagoon.

Also in 2027, a project to extend the pier is expected to be completed. This upgrade, the company says, will allow two ships to dock simultaneously.

MSC Cruises, the third-largest cruise line in the world, says these private islands are part of an ever evolving strategy to give guests experiences that no other cruise line can offer, while maintaining a “deep respect for the natural world.”

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