3 Nights on MSC Meraviglia: My Quick Bahamas Cruise to Nassau and Ocean Cay
By Amy Davoli, CTA, Owner · Travel & Cruise ConsultantSailed October 2022 · 6 min read
Quick takeaways
- A 3-night Bahamas cruise on MSC Meraviglia from Port Canaveral, Florida, calling at Nassau and MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
- My interior cabin was quaint but modern, and when I peeked at a balcony cabin, the bathroom was identical.
- The ship has an aft deck with water slides, a water park, a solarium and a main pool, plus at least 2 more pools.
- Heads up: in the Sportplex, the simulators, bowling and arcade are all extra. Only the sports court is included.
- Get off early at Ocean Cay! I explored while most people were still on the ship, and the water was so blue, clear and warm.
- Ship: MSC Meraviglia (MSC Cruises)
- Sailed: October 2022, 3 nights
- Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida
- Ports of call: Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
- Cabin: interior (plus a peek at a balcony cabin)
Sometimes you just need a quick getaway, and a 3-night cruise is the perfect way to do it! In October 2022, I headed to Port Canaveral, Florida to board MSC Meraviglia for a short sailing to the Bahamas, with a stop in Nassau and a day at MSC’s own private island, Ocean Cay. I posted so much of this trip live in my Facebook group, and I’ve pulled it all together here so you can see what a short MSC cruise is really like.
Boarding day in Port Canaveral
On October 13, 2022, I was at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal and so ready for 3 nights onboard MSC Meraviglia! Fun fact: that was the same day the ship arrived in Port Canaveral after crossing the Atlantic to start its winter season of Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, so it was a brand new season for the ship.
Once I was officially on board, I honestly had so much to show you I wasn’t even sure where to start! So I just started exploring, and I didn’t stop for 3 days.
About MSC Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia is a big ship! She was built in 2017 as the very first of MSC’s Meraviglia class, with 19 decks and room for more than 4,500 guests. One of her signature spots is the Galleria Meraviglia, an indoor promenade with shops and a huge LED dome ceiling overhead. Even on a big ship like this, finding your way around gets easy after the first day.
Interior vs. balcony cabin
My home for the cruise was a quaint but modern interior cabin. It had a comfy queen bed, a desk and vanity area, a TV and plenty of closet storage for a short sailing. For a 3-night cruise where you’re barely in your room, an interior cabin is a great value pick.
I also had a quick peek at a balcony cabin to grab some photos for you. The big differences are the sofa and, of course, your own balcony. The bathroom was identical to the one in my interior cabin!
Amy’s tipOn a short cruise, an interior cabin is an easy way to save. If you love fresh air and ocean views from your room, the balcony is worth it, but know that the bathroom is the same either way!
Pools, water slides and the water park
The outdoor decks are so much fun! Out on the aft (the back of the ship), there are water slides and a full water park, and I counted at least 2 other pools besides those. I also loved the solarium and the main pool area. There’s a spot for every mood, whether you want to splash around or just soak up the sun.
Take a quick look around the ship!
I filmed so much on this cruise that I pulled my favourite bits together into one quick video for you! Peek inside my interior cabin, then head out to the aft deck pool, the water slides and the water park, the solarium pool and that gorgeous view of Ocean Cay from the ship. Press play and come along!
Day two brought the most gorgeous morning at sea. I woke up to that deep blue water, with the ship’s wake trailing off the back, and the ship was almost in Nassau!
The Sportplex: what’s included and what’s extra
The Sportplex is a spot on the ship that’s lots of fun for the kids, and the whole family. There are simulators, bowling, a large sports court, an arcade and more. But here’s the thing that surprised me: none of it, except the sports court, is included. They’re all extras!
Amy’s tipIt’s always good to know about extras like these in advance, so you can budget your cruise accordingly. If you’re travelling with kids who will want to bowl or try the simulators, plan for it before you sail!
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Good morning from Ocean Cay, Bahamas! This is MSC’s private island, only for MSC cruise guests. It sits about 20 miles south of Bimini, and it has quite the story. It used to be an industrial sand-mining site, and MSC transformed it into a marine reserve with white sand beaches, palm trees and a lighthouse. It opened to cruise guests in late 2019.
This island is stunningly beautiful! I had a chance to explore in the morning while most people were still on the ship, and it was so peaceful. The water is so blue, clear and warm. I honestly don’t think my photos really show the beauty of this island!
Because I got off early, I had the beaches almost to myself. Rows of loungers, soft white sand, palm trees everywhere, and MSC Meraviglia docked right there in the background. Pure bliss!
Amy’s tipGet off the ship early at Ocean Cay! While most people are still having breakfast on board, you’ll have the beaches and the best photo spots almost to yourself.
My tips for a short MSC cruise
- Make the most of every hour: 3 nights goes fast, so start exploring the ship as soon as you board.
- Know the extras: the Sportplex simulators, bowling and arcade cost extra (the sports court is included), so budget for them in advance.
- Interior is a great value: on a short sailing you’re barely in your room, and the bathroom is the same as a balcony cabin’s.
- Be an early bird at Ocean Cay: get off early to enjoy the island before the crowds.
- Bring your passport: Passport valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
Thinking about a quick Bahamas cruise? A short sailing is a fantastic way to try a new cruise line, celebrate something special or just get a little sunshine fast. I’ve been there, and I’d love to help you find the ship, cabin and itinerary that fit you best!
FAQs
Is a 3-night cruise worth it?
Absolutely! A 3-night cruise is a great way to try a cruise line or ship before booking a longer sailing, or to get a quick dose of sunshine. On Amy’s 3-night MSC Meraviglia cruise from Port Canaveral, she still got a stop in Nassau and a beach day at Ocean Cay, plus plenty of time to explore the ship.
What is Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve like?
Ocean Cay is MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, only for MSC cruise guests. It’s a former industrial sand-mining site that MSC turned into a marine reserve, with white sand beaches, palm trees, a lighthouse and very blue, clear, warm water. Amy’s tip: get off the ship early to enjoy it before the crowds.
Should I book an interior or balcony cabin on MSC Meraviglia?
On a short cruise, an interior cabin is a great value, and Amy found hers quaint but modern. A balcony cabin adds a sofa and your own outdoor space. When Amy compared them, the bathroom was identical in both.
What’s included on MSC Meraviglia, and what costs extra?
The pools, water slides, water park and the Sportplex sports court are included. In the Sportplex, the simulators, bowling and arcade all cost extra, so it’s a good idea to budget for them before you sail.
Do I need a passport for a Bahamas cruise?
Yes. Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
