MSC Cruises has canceled the first four calls that had been
scheduled for paying passengers at its MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the
Bahamas.
It said the private island near Bimini is not ready for
guests.
MSC canceled calls planned for Nov. 9 on the MSC Meraviglia,
Nov. 15 on the MSC Seaside, Nov. 16 on the Meraviglia and Nov. 17 on the MSC
Armonia.
"While we fully anticipated that the island would be ready
to receive guests this week, upon further evaluation with our onsite team and
learning about last-minute operational issues that could impact the guest
experience, we made the decision to cancel scheduled calls," an MSC statement
said.
Port calls elsewhere have been scheduled.
Guests on affected cruises will get a $100 onboard spending credit and a 20%
future cruise credit.
Four years ago, MSC signed a 100-year lease on the island, a
former industrial sand mining site, and announced plans to transform it into a
private destination. Work on the 95-acre island has been ongoing for the past
few years.