MSC Seashore Bahamas Cruise: First-Timer Tips

An MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise is a great first cruise. Our 4-night trip sailed from Port Canaveral to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau, and it gave us a lazy beach day, a busy port day and plenty of ship time in between. If you are new to cruising, the big tips are simple: get back on board early, get up for at least one sunrise, and don’t overplan your port day.

Village Welcome! We’re Jimmy and Lisa, and this time we parked the RV and took our daughter Emily (we call her PNut) on her very first cruise. It was also her first time out of the country. She was NOT ready for some of it, and we have the video to prove it.

What is the MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise route like?

Short answer: it is an easy, relaxed route. We sailed out of Port Canaveral, Florida, spent a day at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (MSC’s own island), then spent a day in Nassau before heading home. Four nights is a nice size for a first cruise. Long enough to settle in, short enough that nobody gets homesick for their own bed.

We packed one suitcase each. Okay, Lisa packed three. That is a whole other story.

Is the glass walkway on the MSC Seashore scary?

If you are afraid of heights, yes, it can be! The glass walkway hangs out over the side of the ship, and you look straight down through the floor. Lisa walked right out on it. PNut? Not so much.

Her exact words were “I really don’t want to.” We coaxed, we cheered, we said “just do what mom did.” She finally got out there, came back literally sweaty (it was about 100 degrees that day), and when we asked if she wanted to do it again, the answer was a very fast “No.” The glass walkway won that round. If you have a fear of falling through stuff, like PNut says, it’s bad. Everybody else will love the view.

What is Ocean Cay like?

Ocean Cay is a beach day done right. The water is crystal clear and, best of all, not ice cold. A local told us to come on in because the little fishies won’t bite you, and he was right. Lisa called it paradise, and we agree.

We also did a little taste testing on the island and on the ship. Somebody in our crew only drinks his coffee black, so we had a black coffee challenge and a coffee taste test. And we tried key lime pie. The verdict: it was good, just a little sweeter than Lisa likes. She likes her key lime tart.

Is it worth getting up for a sunrise on a cruise?

Yes, at least once. The ship is completely quiet at 6 in the morning. Nobody in the pool, nobody on the deck, just you and the sky.

Here’s the funny part. Jimmy says the sunrise is the one thing Lisa will get up that early for. And we got Emily up and out before breakfast even opened, which is a first in 30-some years. Not by choice, mostly. Was it worth it? Her review: “It was worth it, but I need a nap.” We’ll take it.

What happens if you are late for all aboard?

Don’t find out. The ship sails on its schedule, so plan to be back on board well before the all-aboard time. We watched this play out from the deck on our last afternoon at Ocean Cay, and it was better than TV.

With about 45 minutes to go, there were still lots of people on the beach and walking the paths. Then the clock kept ticking. Jet skis made laps around the whole island to make sure everyone was off. People were hurrying, a few were flat-out racing, and we were doing live play-by-play. In the end the ship pulled away a little earlier than we expected, which tells us everybody made it. Would you wait until the last 10 minutes? We would not!

What should you do in Nassau on an MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise?

Keep it simple. We were the first ship into Nassau that morning, and we could see a Carnival ship and a Margaritaville ship coming in behind us. This was our second time in Nassau, and we kept it easy again: walked the colorful streets, poked around, and yes, found the Starbucks. Somebody may or may not have fallen asleep there. (She says she was scrolling Instagram. We have witnesses.)

If you’ve been to Nassau and have a favorite spot, tell us in the YouTube comments. We’d love ideas for next time.

Our MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise tips (what we’d do again)

1. Pack lighter than you think. One suitcase each is plenty for 4 nights. (Lisa may disagree.)
2. Try the glass walkway, but don’t force it. If someone is scared, let them watch from the inside. Nobody needs a sweaty hero.
3. Set an alarm for one sunrise. The quiet ship is a whole different place.
4. Be back on board early. Watching the all-aboard rush is fun. Being part of it is not.
5. Plan a slow port day. A walk, a snack and a coffee is a great day.
6. Do a taste test. Coffee, desserts, whatever. It turns a regular meal into a memory.

Cruises are a fun change from the campground for us, and we compared two other ships in our MSC Grandiosa vs Norwegian Getaway post. We’ll be on the Grandiosa again soon, and back at Ocean Cay in December.

Why do RVers love cruising with friends?

Because it feels a lot like a campout. Laughing with the people you travel with is the best part, whether you are on a ship or parked in a field. That is the same feeling we get when the village rolls together, which we wrote about in the unexpected reality of group RV travel. If you like this kind of trip, take a look at our 2027 Margaritaville RV Crawl too.

Quick answers

How long is the MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise?

Ours was 4 nights from Port Canaveral, with stops at Ocean Cay and Nassau.

Is an MSC Seashore Bahamas cruise good for a first-timer?

We think so. The route is relaxed, Ocean Cay is an easy beach day, and there is plenty to do on board.

What is Ocean Cay?

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is MSC’s private island in the Bahamas, with clear, warm water and wide beaches.

Can you skip the glass walkway?

Yes. It is totally optional, and you can enjoy the view from inside.

How early should you be back on the ship?

Well before the all-aboard time. Lines and walking take longer than you think.

Come join the village

We’d love to have you along for the next adventure, whether it is on the water or at a campground. Sign up for our FindUsCamping newsletter, join the FindUsCamping Villagers group on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Want to meet us in person? Check out a FindUsCamping campout. Until next time, safe travels, y’all!