MSC passengers compensated for delay to private island opening
MSC Cruises has announced a last-minute delay to the opening of its private island in the Bahamas, which was due to welcome its first guests last weekend.
The line has not given a new opening date for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
The late decision to delay the launch meant many passengers on the November 9 departure of MSC Seaside (above) only found out they wouldn’t be able to visit the island just before they embarked on the cruise.
MSC said they had been compensated.
The November 10 sailing of the MSC Meraviglia and November 11 sailing of MSC Armonia were also affected.
MSC said guests would get a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit and a 20% discount for a future cruise.
"As you may be aware, the development of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has been a multiyear project in which we took on the challenge of transforming what was once an industrial sand excavation site into a stunning tropical destination, including designating the surrounding waters as a flourishing marine reserve," MSC said in a letter to travel agents.
It cited ‘last minute operational issues’ as the reason for suspending the opening.
"This has been an extremely complex project as we’ve been fully committed to developing the destination in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way," the line added.
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