We did an overnight with MSC. The beach party was so nice. The light house show was incredible. They also had a fire pit area which was very nice. And the beach was incredible.
Hey Brandon, another great review! We were on that same cruise with you. That was our second visit to OC. We’ve had great weather both times and yes you are correct, the water is stunning around the island. I got some great photos especially sailing away from the island as we have had a starboard side balcony both times. The pictures I have of the lighthouse are great. We are making a third visit there on our Christmas cruise later in the year that one will just be for the day. Agree as well go as far away from the ship as possible to have the most relaxing time. We walked all the way out to the wedding gazebo and helicopter pad (didn’t know that was there). We have not tried the buffet yet, we usually just grab a snack on the island and wait to get back on the ship to eat. Whenever we have gone by there it is completely mobbed. Sunset Beach was amazing but yes, def need water shoes and no I didn’t have any… Will bring them next time. 🛳️
Hate i missed you still Brant! Was a great cruise! I hadn't thought about getting a starboard side room but def see the advantage! Wonder if they always dock like that?
That is probably a no go for me! Cruised out of Bayonne once but much prefer the one 0.5 miles from my house :-) I am doing a ton of MSC next year though. Looking forward to it!@@clearedfortakeoff7794
@@clearedfortakeoff7794 I am thinking through the best way to do this. A little bit of risk to divulging my entire schedule but might be a way to piece meal it!
Totally agree about OC buffet vs. CC. Not worth the line at all. Big breakfast and fro-yo for lunch sounds like a prefect solution! It is stunning. I like how different areas of the island have different background music.
Enjoyed this opinion video (as always) and agree totally. Had my first-ever visit to OC Marine Reserve at the beginning of the month (Meriviglia), and will be returning in a few days for another overnight experience (Seaside). I found the Lighthouse Bar to be a great place to hang out, with some shade available as well as full-sun seating. I walked the entire complex to take it all in, and as you said, there are numerous places to enjoy the beach and water if you'll continue past the first places seen. The tour of the lighthouse was better than expected, and she stopped at each of the three levels to share information (as well as offer some rest from the climb). Yep, your opinion of the soft serve matched what I and many others felt about that place. Since the ship and the island don't share the same food/beverage inventory, it was quite odd to find several things available at OC that were unavailable on the ship, and vice versa.
Ugh the soft serve ice cream! I get hungry everytime I think about it! I think if people ever check it out once, they will really line it. Very different from CocoCay but not in a bad way.
Will be there on the Meriveglia at the end of October, my first cruise in ages. I've sailed four times on Celebrity and once on the QM2 and loved all those voyages and ships. I realize MSC isn't in that class and my expectations on food and service are already adjusted accordingly. I'm traveling as a single and the fare for an aft balcony cabin was too good to pass up for an eleven night sailing. I'll share more upon my return.
The big advantage of the Yacht Club beach is butler service. Your butler is on the beach setting up your chairs and getting you drinks. The restaurant has an upscale lunch(filet, lobster rolls etc.) and cocktails. There are special trams to take you back and forth so there is little or no wait.
They do but it is not well organized and a bit hidden. The Basketball court is on the backside of the buffet and you will find a volleyball net down and to the right. I would bring your own balls to be on the safe side.
Hey Karen, the Cabanas do not go all the way to Sunset beach. They are mainly around South beach. If you get a cabana on the left side it will be more remote and more "sunset beach" like.
Ocean Cay is much better than Coco Cay which os a rip off. Yacht Club is amazing but not on Ocean Cay! Worst beach on the island. Great food and drink and service. Way too many rocks. Would do Yacht Club but not on Ocean Cay. We would do the regular section! Maybe eat at Yacht Club beach and move to other beach . after.
Thanks for sharing Jack! I have not hung out at the Yacht Club Beach House but it's a shame they haven't cleaned the rocks up! Most people do not bring water shoes on cruise ships! Def go there for the food lol
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
Not an MSC fan, but when you said that on that island it is just us and nature/ocean/beach…. That is my kind of relaxation!
Great vid 👍🏻
Yes! If you get one of the over nights on Ocean Cay, it makes up for A LOT on the ship. It is by far my favorite private island.
We did an overnight with MSC. The beach party was so nice. The light house show was incredible. They also had a fire pit area which was very nice. And the beach was incredible.
Agree, Ocean Cay is a really nice private destinations and the overnights provide a much different view of the island!
Hey Brandon, another great review! We were on that same cruise with you. That was our second visit to OC. We’ve had great weather both times and yes you are correct, the water is stunning around the island. I got some great photos especially sailing away from the island as we have had a starboard side balcony both times. The pictures I have of the lighthouse are great. We are making a third visit there on our Christmas cruise later in the year that one will just be for the day. Agree as well go as far away from the ship as possible to have the most relaxing time. We walked all the way out to the wedding gazebo and helicopter pad (didn’t know that was there). We have not tried the buffet yet, we usually just grab a snack on the island and wait to get back on the ship to eat. Whenever we have gone by there it is completely mobbed. Sunset Beach was amazing but yes, def need water shoes and no I didn’t have any… Will bring them next time. 🛳️
Hate i missed you still Brant! Was a great cruise! I hadn't thought about getting a starboard side room but def see the advantage! Wonder if they always dock like that?
When I try MSC, I will keep an eye and see if we have a stop there. Thank you for this review Brandon 🙂
For us solo travelers, it is a really good deal!
Brandon, we have friends that want us to check out Ocean Cay... and thanks to you, I think we will say yes!
Ocean Cay is definitely worth a go! It really is a beautiful spot!
Beaching is all I do at CocoCay and it looked much less crowded. More open. Except the lines for food. Always a good review.
Thanks Ted!
Such a great review. Going next month Wish you were my travel buddy. Very informative 😊
Aww have a blast! Keep cruising and I am sure our paths will cross!
Doing one next month with fam and another one solo end of February. Would be great if you can plan for end of Feb from NYC on MSC Meraviglia 😊😊😊😊😊
That is probably a no go for me! Cruised out of Bayonne once but much prefer the one 0.5 miles from my house :-) I am doing a ton of MSC next year though. Looking forward to it!@@clearedfortakeoff7794
@@TheWeekendCruiser share your dates and ships and i will see if i could jump in. :)
@@clearedfortakeoff7794 I am thinking through the best way to do this. A little bit of risk to divulging my entire schedule but might be a way to piece meal it!
Great review!
Totally agree about OC buffet vs. CC. Not worth the line at all. Big breakfast and fro-yo for lunch sounds like a prefect solution! It is stunning. I like how different areas of the island have different background music.
Enjoyed this opinion video (as always) and agree totally. Had my first-ever visit to OC Marine Reserve at the beginning of the month (Meriviglia), and will be returning in a few days for another overnight experience (Seaside). I found the Lighthouse Bar to be a great place to hang out, with some shade available as well as full-sun seating. I walked the entire complex to take it all in, and as you said, there are numerous places to enjoy the beach and water if you'll continue past the first places seen. The tour of the lighthouse was better than expected, and she stopped at each of the three levels to share information (as well as offer some rest from the climb). Yep, your opinion of the soft serve matched what I and many others felt about that place.
Since the ship and the island don't share the same food/beverage inventory, it was quite odd to find several things available at OC that were unavailable on the ship, and vice versa.
Ugh the soft serve ice cream! I get hungry everytime I think about it! I think if people ever check it out once, they will really line it. Very different from CocoCay but not in a bad way.
Great video thanks again
Thanks Dino!
Thank you for this review and damn I wish I had your life
haha thank you Shannon! Takes a lot of planning, budgeting, and commitment to the cause! Definitly not a shabby life!
Will be there on the Meriveglia at the end of October, my first cruise in ages. I've sailed four times on Celebrity and once on the QM2 and loved all those voyages and ships. I realize MSC isn't in that class and my expectations on food and service are already adjusted accordingly. I'm traveling as a single and the fare for an aft balcony cabin was too good to pass up for an eleven night sailing. I'll share more upon my return.
I totally hear that. I have a lot of MSC booked next year because the value is just so darn good.!
@@TheWeekendCruiser Under $2k for an 11 night single seemed like the right price.
The big advantage of the Yacht Club beach is butler service. Your butler is on the beach setting up your chairs and getting you drinks. The restaurant has an upscale lunch(filet, lobster rolls etc.) and cocktails. There are special trams to take you back and forth so there is little or no wait.
Thank you for the tips and good to know!
Brandon food on board ? Is it bland or not as good as a lot of people are saying ? I want to try Msc but I’m scared the food will not be good
Good is nothing to write home about - the specialty restaurants are good The main dinning room is just okay on the sailings I have been on.
do they have any sports activities like volleyball?
They do but it is not well organized and a bit hidden. The Basketball court is on the backside of the buffet and you will find a volleyball net down and to the right. I would bring your own balls to be on the safe side.
Thank you for sharing.
Hey Jade!!
When I was there in October the golf carts/shuttle were for YC guests only. If that has changed soemone please post.
I hope it has! I did not take one but it can be q heck of a walk without them!
Can you tell me if there were any cabanas on sunset beach..thanks!
Hey Karen, the Cabanas do not go all the way to Sunset beach. They are mainly around South beach. If you get a cabana on the left side it will be more remote and more "sunset beach" like.
FYI: they have a private Island, Yacht Club Restaurant and The upscale Food Truck, is Comped for Yacht Club guests.
From the videos, it looks like they get steak and upgraded seafood. The island was not done, when I sailed YC.
Good feedback George! I def need to try the Yacht Club one day!
Looks amazing, the only negative I have heard is it gets really hot there as a lack of shade is an issue. Thanks for sharing
I could see that but any beach might struggle. At least the umbrellas at CocoCay are comped.
Made me laugh that you called it ocean Key the entire video, realized when you said coco key, corrected then went back to ocean key 😂
haha OMG keeping all the name variations correct is a job into-itself!
Ocean Cay is my favorite port, if you want to walk to the far end of the island you will barely see any other people.
My favorite thing to do to! I love feeling like it is my own island.
Ocean Cay is much better than Coco Cay which os a rip off. Yacht Club is amazing but not on Ocean Cay! Worst beach on the island. Great food and drink and service. Way too many rocks. Would do Yacht Club but not on Ocean Cay. We would do the regular section! Maybe eat at Yacht Club beach and move to other beach . after.
Thanks for sharing Jack! I have not hung out at the Yacht Club Beach House but it's a shame they haven't cleaned the rocks up! Most people do not bring water shoes on cruise ships! Def go there for the food lol