Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Ocean Cay) is MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas. Just 65 miles east of Miami, it is an idyllic secluded paradise and a frequent stop on many of the cruise line's Caribbean itineraries.  

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared

In 2012, Costa Concordia, a cruise ship owned by Costa Cruises, capsized off of the coast of Italy shortly after departing from Civitavecchia. While not as deadly as the infamous sinking of the Titanic in 1912, this incident resulted in some modifications to the safety guidelines within the cruise industry. 

Are you someone that believes bigger is always better when it comes to cruising?

Larger cruise ships typically feature the latest and greatest when it comes to technology, entertainment, staterooms and dining options. More space onboard allows for a cruise line to squeeze more amenities and offerings for guests.

These days, cruise lines are continuing to construct mega cruise ships that are essentially floating cities with distinct neighborhoods. You can also find multiple classes of suites available and endless things to do and eat onboard.

Last month, I set sail onboard one of Carnival’s newest cruise ships, the Carnival Mardi Gras with my sister.

Seattle is among one of the most popular cruise ports for sailings to Alaska. During the 2024 season alone, there will be over 200 different sailings to Alaska that leave from Seattle. 

While most people are familiar with Cozumel, Costa Maya is another popular cruise port on Western Caribbean itineraries. 

Unlike Cozumel, Costa Maya is located on the Yucatán Peninsula at the southern end of Quintana Roo. Despite being on the mainland, it is still far from the majority of Mayan ruins. Tulum, for instance, is about 2.5 hours away, while Chichén Itzá is almost 4 hours from the cruise port. 

Once you have successfully made it through the check-in process and have boarded the ship, you will probably want to make your way to your cabin to get settled. Unless you have a later check-in time, you will have to wait, as cabins do not open up to guests until sometime in the afternoon. 

Go ahead and grab some lunch and start to familiarize yourself with the ship! If you have children who want to participate in the youth programming, this is also a great time to get them registered. 

Launched last November, MSC Seascape is MSC Cruises’ newest cruise ship sailing the sunny waters of the Caribbean. 

It is nearly identical to its sister ship MSC Seashore, retaining many of the great benefits of the earlier Seaside class of ships. MSC Seascape is beautifully designed, with top-notch finishes and décor. The ship offers plenty for cruisers of all ages, with a number of entertainment, dining, and activity options onboard.