MSC Just Announced a New Private Beach Club in The Bahamas
MSC Cruises is expanding its footprint in The Bahamas with a new private beach club on Grand Bahama, part of a wider push to grow its presence in the region and compete with other cruise lines investing heavily in their own destinations.
New MSC Beach Club Planned for Grand Bahama
MSC Cruises has reached an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas to develop the MSC Beach Club on a 20-acre section of the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport. The site, previously known as the Reef Village area, will be converted into a dedicated beach destination for guests sailing with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
Construction is expected to begin on April 12, 2026, pending final approvals.
The beach club will sit within a much larger redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan property. The full project includes hotels, a casino resort, a marina, and a golf course. Plans also include a second cruise-focused resort called Ancient Waters Cruise Resort, which will be open to passengers from multiple cruise lines.
Together, the two cruise resorts are projected to welcome more than one million visitors each year.
Part of a Larger $450 Million Port Project
The beach club is tied to a broader cruise port development in Freeport valued at around $450 million.
Most of that funding will go toward building a new cruise terminal complex with berths, a welcome plaza, retail shops, dining venues, and transportation hubs. Additional funds are set aside to improve the existing harbor area.
The new port is designed to be used by multiple cruise lines, helping position Grand Bahama as a more competitive stop in the Caribbean.
Officials in The Bahamas say the agreement marks a key step in bringing tourism back to the island and boosting local jobs and businesses.
Cruise Lines Continue Expanding Private Destinations
MSC’s move follows a growing trend across the cruise industry. Major cruise lines are building their own shore destinations to control the guest experience and capture more spending while ships are in port.
Royal Caribbean recently opened its Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, offering private beaches, pools, cabanas, and dining options for its passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line launched Celebration Key on Grand Bahama in 2025, while Norwegian Cruise Line is upgrading Great Stirrup Cay with new infrastructure and expanded guest areas.
MSC’s new beach club adds another option in a region that is quickly becoming a hub for cruise-owned destinations.
MSC Also Investing in Ocean Cay and Beyond
In addition to the new beach club, MSC Cruises is investing heavily in its private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Planned upgrades include extending the pier so two ships can dock at the same time, along with new dining venues, family-friendly areas, and an adults-only beach retreat. These updates are expected to be completed by late 2027.
MSC is also working on a second island project near Ocean Cay, known internally as Little Cay.
These developments are timed with the launch of MSC’s new U.S. flagship, MSC World Atlantic, which is scheduled to begin sailing from Port Canaveral in November 2027.
Nearly $1.5 Billion Investment in The Bahamas
When combined, MSC’s projects in The Bahamas add up to nearly $1.5 billion in total investment.
The company says the developments are expected to create more than 1,000 jobs and bring increased business to local communities, including nearby shopping and tourism areas.
With a new beach club, port upgrades, and ongoing island expansions, MSC Cruises is making a clear push to grow its presence in the Caribbean and offer more controlled, resort-style experiences for its guests.
