MSC Cruises will temporarily close its private Bahamian island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for six weeks next spring.
The cruise line said Ocean Cay will close to passengers from April 7 to May 22 "in order to make necessary guest experience enhancements and support the island's future growth plans."
MSC is in contact with impacted guests and travel advisors regarding updated itineraries and travel options.
The closure will affect four MSC ships: The MSC Divina and MSC Seascape, which will replace calls to Ocean Cay with another Caribbean port and will not otherwise change their itineraries; the MSC Seashore which will also replace Ocean Cay with another Caribbean port and may change some of its sailing dates and departures; and the MSC Meraviglia, which will offer Canada/New England sailings instead of Caribbean ones during that time.
Ocean Cay was recently designated a "Hope Spot" by Mission Blue, the nonprofit organization founded by oceanographer Sylvia Earle to promote the protection of marine ecosystems, joining a network of 154 Hope Spots that are recognized as critical to ocean health.