MSC Takes a Bold Step With a New Bahamas Beach Club
Key Aspects:
MSC Group will convert part of the Grand Lucayan Resort into a new 20-acre MSC Beach Club for cruise guests.
Construction is set to begin on April 12, 2026.
The project is tied to a broader $450 million cruise port development planned for Freeport Harbor.
A long-idle portion of one of Grand Bahama’s largest resorts could soon become a new cruise destination for MSC Cruises passengers.
MSC Group announced that its infrastructure arm, CTL Maritime, has reached an agreement with the government of The Bahamas to acquire and redevelop a portion of the Grand Lucayan complex in Freeport.
The project will convert a 20-acre section of the property, currently operated by the former Reef Village area, into the MSC Beach Club. This new beach destination would be for guests sailing with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas described the agreement as an important milestone for the island’s redevelopment efforts.
“This agreement represents a defining moment for Grand Bahamas and the future of our island,” Davis said in the announcement. “The redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Resort has long been a national priority, and this step forward speaks to our commitment to restoring Grand Bahama as a leading tourism and investment destination.”
Construction is expected to begin on April 12, 2026, pending environmental approvals and other permits.
The strategy follows similar efforts by other cruise companies developing their own shore destinations to control the guest experience and capture more spending while ships are in port.
Royal Caribbean recently debuted a similar beach club concept in Nassau, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, in December 2025. The club features private beaches, pools, cabanas, dining venues, and the world’s largest swim-up bar, creating a resort-style destination reserved for Royal Caribbean guests.
Carnival Cruise Line has similarly expanded in The Bahamas, opening its new private cruise destination on Grand Bahama, Celebration Key, in July 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line is also undergoing massive renovations to its private destination in the area, Great Stirrup Cay, including new piers and expanded guest facilities.
Project Tied to Wider Investments
The planned MSC Beach Club is only one part of a broader effort by MSC Group to reshape cruise tourism on Grand Bahama.
The Bahamian government revealed to Cruise Hive that MSC Group intends to invest about $450 million in a new cruise development centered on Billy Cay, a man-made island in Freeport Harbour.
Roughly $400 million would go toward building a new cruise terminal complex, including cruise berths, a welcome plaza, retail shops, restaurants, and transportation facilities.
Another $50 million is earmarked for upgrades to the existing harbor area, including improvements.
The port plans also include entertainment areas, food and beverage outlets, and transportation staging to connect cruise passengers with excursions across the island. Officials say the new cruise port is designed as a multi-user facility, meaning it will be open to all cruise lines.
CTL Maritime President Gianluca Suprani said the company sees The Bahamas as a long-term strategic partner.
“This project marks the next phase of our long-term investment strategy in The Bahamas and as a family-owned company, we take a long-term view and when we commit to projects of this nature, we do so with the intention and capability to deliver, focused on creating lasting value for Bahamian communities.”
Together with the beach club development and enhancements at MSC’s private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the combined projects represent nearly $1.5 billion in investment in The Bahamas. The developments are projected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
CLT Maritime specializes in cruise port development and tourism infrastructure projects and operates as a separate entity within MSC Group.