Guests on an upcoming MSC Cruises sailing have learned that alcohol sales are banned from the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas on the day of their scheduled visit.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is a stunning island in The Bahamas, located about 65 miles east of Miami, Florida. Unlike competitors' islands, the area is more focused on its natural beauty. As such, there's a purposeful undeveloped feel to the island since it lacks water slides, zip lines, over-the-water cabanas, and more.
Admission to the island is included in your MSC cruise fare, so it does not cost passengers anything extra to debark from the ship and enjoy a day soaking up the Bahamian sun.
However, travel advisors with clients booked on an upcoming sailing aboard MSC Seashore received a sudden email informing them that their clients' visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will come with an unexpected restriction: no alcohol sales on the island.
"Due to Bahamian General Election regulations, alcohol service at Ocean Cay will be temporarily suspended on May 12, 2026," the letter says.
It continues, "As a result, alcoholic beverages will not be available ashore that day, and certain shore excursions that typically include alcoholic beverages may be affected. Please note that alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase and consumption onboard as usual."
The 169,400-gross-ton MSC Seashore will be on a TK-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, according to Cruise Mapper. Ocean Cay is the first stop on the short itinerary before the 5,877-passenger ship heads to Nassau.
MSC Seashore will be docked overnight, meaning that guests can still enjoy alcoholic beverages ashore on the 11th. The ship's expected arrival time is around 7:00 a.m. that day.
Alcohol sales are banned nationwide throughout The Bahamas on May 12, impacting other cruise line operations
All land-based spots in the country, including cruise line private islands, are affected by this restriction, which was issued by the Commonwealth of The Bahamas' Ministry of National Security:
"Pursuant to section 99 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 7), the Parliamentary Commissioner hereby informs the general public that all licenses issued under the provisions of the Business Licence Act (No. 25 of 2010) for the sale of any intoxicating liquour shall be suspended during the hours of the day on which a poll is being held for a general election (including the Advanced Poll)."
The notice specifies that this suspension will apply on Thursday, April 30, and Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Royal Caribbean passengers sailing on Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas were also informed via email that alcohol will not be served ashore at CocoCay on May 12.
Like MSC's letter, Royal Caribbean says that the ban is due to ongoing national elections and will apply only to alcohol sales ashore; normal onboard alcohol service will continue without interruption.
Ships visiting Nassau will be impacted, too. As the country’s primary cruise port, Nassau will welcome three ships on Election Day: Utopia of the Seas, MSC Seaside, and Caribbean Princess.
In addition to alcohol not being served at bars and restaurants like Señor Frogs or Pirate Republic Brewing, Royal Caribbean cannot sell alcoholic beverages at its private beach club, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
Read more: 11 Cruise Line Private Islands Ranked Worst to Best: Top Picks
Two cruise lines are taking an opposite approach and diverting ships away from their private islands
Instead of visiting their private islands during the election period, some cruise lines have made itinerary adjustments.
Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, swapped Norwegian Getaway's planned visit to Great Stirrup Cay to May 13 instead of May 12, as shared by one Facebook user.
Carnival Cruise Line also revised the itinerary for the six-night sailing aboard Carnival Vista from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 3,934-passenger ship was supposed to call at Half Moon Cay on May 12. However, one guest posted that the ship has been rerouted to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
Disney Cruise Line has two ships visiting private destinations in The Bahamas on May 12
At the time of publication, Disney Cruise Line had not formally announced any itinerary changes for its two ships visiting Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay on May 12.
Disney Wish will be on a four-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, while Disney Fantasy will supposedly call at Lookout Cay during a five-night sailing from Port Canaveral.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
