cruiseguyinorl Posted December 2, 2019 #426 Share Posted December 2, 2019 On 11/20/2019 at 11:49 AM, BermudaBound2014 said: Apparently, because of the location of Ocean Cay there is a belief that the netting is needed. Yes, "shark barriers" have been installed surrounding all the beaches as well as the lagoon entrances. Bret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted December 2, 2019 #427 Share Posted December 2, 2019 49 minutes ago, cruiseguyinorl said: Yes, "shark barriers" have been installed surrounding all the beaches as well as the lagoon entrances. Bret Interesting. Do you know if any of the other cruise line private islands also have shark barriers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguyinorl Posted December 2, 2019 #428 Share Posted December 2, 2019 @mafig I can't answer that one. Maybe someone else on here could. I had never even thought about sharks until I saw it on the info (non-public) for Ocean Cay. Glad to know they are there though. Can't imagine the publicity if one came in close to the beach. 😮 Bret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 3, 2019 Author #429 Share Posted December 3, 2019 I can take a stab at this since I'm the one that opened the shark tank, but please be advised this is just my best guess based on following Bimini social media :). I am unaware of any other private island that has shark barriers around the whole island. While sharks are absolutely found everywhere (especially in the bahamas), Bimini is especially known for exceptional shark viewing. In fact, I believe it is ranked 5th place in the world for viewing shark species. I believe the diversity has to do with proximity to the gulf stream. My guess is that other islands have more of a protected natural barrier against sharks, but since Ocean Cay was man made, the barrier is absent??? Also, several dive operations actually bait shark to provide cage encounter experiences. The best I can tell is that the place they bait is very close to ocean cay. In particular, Bull run has been mentioned many times. I can't pin point the exact location of Bull run, but it's got to be very close to Ocean Cay based on info from social media. Here is some info on bull run: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147426-d149581-Reviews-Bimini_Bull_Run-Bimini_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html#REVIEWS Red Circle is Bimini (and Ocean Cay) Blue arrow is portion of the gulf stream. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 3, 2019 Author #430 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Just catching up today, but has everyone seen the list of excursions for ocean cay posted on social media? Apparently they were delivered today. That sure does make it seem like Ocean Cay is a go for Thursday!! I am possibly more excited than those on-board. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUontheC Posted December 4, 2019 #431 Share Posted December 4, 2019 13 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said: Just catching up today, but has everyone seen the list of excursions for ocean cay posted on social media? Apparently they were delivered today. That sure does make it seem like Ocean Cay is a go for Thursday!! I am possibly more excited than those on-board. 🙂 No I haven't seen them. Where can I find them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvavacation Posted December 4, 2019 #432 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I have been following this because my husband and I were booked on a cruise for this month, with the specific desire to go see Ocean Cay. We have cruised a lot, been to many Caribbean Islands, and seeing the private islands is part of the fun for us. We cancelled and will rebook for later next fall, with the hope that all things run smoothly by then. Until then, I am learning so much from all of you, and one of my worries was the shark situation in that area of the Bahamas. I am thrilled to read that there will be a shark net. Yes, I know sharks are in the ocean and we just visit their home, but I have a fear and knowledge of a net will help me relax. There was a question as to which other line has a net around the island. Disney Cruise Line does (we are friends with some former cruise line cast and also learned all about it on travel agent sessions back in the day)! It is only around the family beach, not the adult beach. The adult beach is on the other side of the island and it is left to look like an actual, natural Bahamian beach. The family beach is regularly inspected for any holes and wiggle-in spots for the sharks, and the swimming area is regularly swum and explored by the live-on-island castmembers. There have been barracudas in the family beach swimming area, but unless too large or aggressive, they are left alone. That net, however, is what encourages me to snorkel without a pounding heart and darting eyes in all directions! I am so glad MSC will be doing the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 4, 2019 Author #433 Share Posted December 4, 2019 WOO HOO........... we have confirmation that December 5th is the first stop!!! This was just posted on social media (HUGE thanks to the author!!). There was a meeting about OC and YC yesterday and here are her notes: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwade1901 Posted December 4, 2019 #434 Share Posted December 4, 2019 1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said: WOO HOO........... we have confirmation that December 5th is the first stop!!! This was just posted on social media (HUGE thanks to the author!!). There was a meeting about OC and YC yesterday and here are her notes: Yes!! A month until we stop there but really glad to hear about tomorrow!! :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nashna Posted December 4, 2019 #435 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I'm sure we will see lots of photos after the ship arrives at OC tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 4, 2019 Author #436 Share Posted December 4, 2019 44 minutes ago, Nashna said: I'm sure we will see lots of photos after the ship arrives at OC tomorrow. IKR? SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo excited. Before anyone starts to complain about umbrella's not being offered in YC complimentary (you must rent), my best guess is that MSC will revise this policy (like they revised offering a free buffet at OC). 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psmarkle Posted December 4, 2019 #437 Share Posted December 4, 2019 5 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said: Before anyone starts to complain about umbrella's not being offered in YC complimentary (you must rent), my best guess is that MSC will revise this policy (like they revised offering a free buffet at OC). 🙂 Heck, I wish I could rent an umbrella on the Seaside at the YC pool LOL! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nashna Posted December 4, 2019 #438 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I already had my umbrella rented...just in case. I think that they will provide them eventually as they are a basic item at resorts. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalbarry Posted December 5, 2019 #439 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Some New Pictures of MSC Ocean Cay, From Facebook, Re : Ken Muskat, thank you.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted December 5, 2019 #440 Share Posted December 5, 2019 18 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said: IKR? SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo excited. Before anyone starts to complain about umbrella's not being offered in YC complimentary (you must rent), my best guess is that MSC will revise this policy (like they revised offering a free buffet at OC). 🙂 I already complained on the other thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 5, 2019 Author #441 Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, dexddd said: I already complained on the other thread. Totally understandable. I think all of us who sail MSC get frustrated with the inconsistent policies at times. As bret affectionately states, MSC stands for Most Surely Change :). I am hopeful this policy will also change. Edited December 5, 2019 by BermudaBound2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-Bob Posted December 5, 2019 #442 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Per *****: Current position of MSC Divina: Under way from Costa Maya to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Departure was 1 d 14 hrs 5 min ago. (at 18:00 h local time) Arrival will be in 55 min. (at 09:00 h local time) Traveled distance since Costa Maya: 610.40 nm (1,130.46 km) Remaining distance to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: 9.21 nm (17.05 km) Looks like they are really going there. Not to much excitement on the boards. I am pumped. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rare Cruise Critic Chris Posted December 5, 2019 Members #443 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Just a note that we here at Cruise Critic are tracking the ship too --- we've been told it's going to happen but you never know until you know! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kba1988 Posted December 5, 2019 #444 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Those pictures are awesome!. Looks like it's pretty windy there according to those trees... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted December 5, 2019 #445 Share Posted December 5, 2019 3 hours ago, capitalbarry said: Some New Pictures of MSC Ocean Cay, From Facebook, Re : Ken Muskat, thank you.. Thanks for posting the photos, looks really nice. Also like the MSC YC golf cart. ☺️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVol1 Posted December 5, 2019 #446 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Here are photos taken from Yacht Club 16018, left to right, of Ocean Cay as we’re docking. It’s 70 degrees which is too cold for a bathing suit, IMO, and the high is supposed to be 71. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVol1 Posted December 5, 2019 #447 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Info we got last night around 10PM: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingFox27 Posted December 5, 2019 #448 Share Posted December 5, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVol1 Posted December 5, 2019 #449 Share Posted December 5, 2019 2 stingrays enjoying Lighthouse Bay. The shark netting must be the bright yellow netlike thing between the Lighthouse Bay sand and the ship. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BermudaBound2014 Posted December 5, 2019 Author #450 Share Posted December 5, 2019 2 minutes ago, LadyVol1 said: 2 stingrays enjoying Lighthouse Bay. The shark netting must be the bright yellow netlike thing between the Lighthouse Bay sand and the ship. LadyVol1: you will forever be my Ocean cay hero. Can't thank you enough for sharing these photos!!!!! Seriously, you have no idea how much I am appreciative of your posts!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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