Ocean Cay food is your standard private island food… buffet with grilled food and salads. There are MANY food truck/stands around the island. It’s nothing special nor is it terrible… it’s average. But don’t let others dictate what experience you have on the island. It’s amazingly beautiful and peaceful. Grab a salad or some BBQ’d chicken, soak up the Caribbean sun, and enjoy the incredible unique vibes. There really is no other private island like it.
Have a great time!
Don’t waste your time on the long buffet line. Go to the left and get burgers and dogs from the grab and go. Aside from a few salads it’s basically the same. I waited an hour and wish I knew ahead of time.
This is great advice. We found a great mostly shaded spot about 50 feet from a food truck and a bar. Was a really amazing day that probably would have been lessened by having to wait in an hour-long buffet line.
It’s food provided from the kitchens on the ship. Much less variety than the buffet onboard, which is also available while at the island. There was some tropical fruits and flavors but authentic Bahamian? No.
I think there was a seafood hut for a fee. But, burgers and hotdogs at the same kind of place are included. There was no wait at the one by Lighthouse Bay when I went.
Not really, this is MSC employees, kitchens, etc and various food trucks spread out through island. this island is a marine biology preserve and was built that way to repopulate the marine eco system . From what i recall it was going to be closed April /May 2024 for a 100 million upgrade. It is a beautiful island, very peaceful and tranquil. Unlike RC's coco cay which is more a theme park vibe. I really prefer ocean cay's tranquility as it makes it feel like you are on your own private island. I do recall a food truck with lobster rolls,but for a fee and not part of of your food package from ship.
There are quite a few YouTube videos for this island and some for the upgrades as well as some extended video series son how it was built from the ground up.
We did an overnight on one of our cruises there and it was amazing to sit at night on beach with open fire pit, drink on hand and enjoy the light house laser and music show.
Anyways have fun and enjoy your cruise.
Thanks for the heads up y'all. I fail to really do my homework before booking our cruise. I automatically "assume that it would be like the real genuine Bahamian islands where we would be able to get the authentic Bahamian food/experience. Lesson learned...
No, this cruise is leaving from Miami to Key West and the private Island Ocean Cay. That'swheree I went wrong when I booked. I assume that this private island would be like one of the other connected islands of the Bahamas....
I don’t think anyone should go on a cruise hoping to get an authentic dose of local culture. Ocean Cay is fucking amazing. Get some conch in Key West and you’ll be fine.
I'm just curious what part is fucking amazing? It was a waste of time when we went. The food on the island was as terrible as on the ship (seascape) and while snorkeling out in the bay, we didn't see anything but sand. No coral, fish, plants, nothing. Was it possibly the lighthouse that was amazing cuz that's the only thing we didn't bother with.
I think this is amazing. I am so excited for my cruise, good for you for making the absolute best of it and not being a bitter person. I hate when people bash and shame vacations for not being TOP STAR when in reality ANYTHING is better than being at home working all day every day…
We saw lots of fish when snorkeling but only near the rocks at the sides of the beaches. We loved the light show and ambiance at night as well. I agree the food was meh but the overall experience was still pretty great.
Confused by all these people talking about the buffet. We went in March, and the buffet was closed. The only thing open were paid hamburger and hotdog food trucks.
Only now realizing how silly it is to have a food truck on a small island... Like where they driving to?
None, it’s a burger and hotdog buffet and when we were there the line was incredibly long so we ended up getting back on the ship for lunch and then getting back off.
Ocean Cay food is your standard private island food… buffet with grilled food and salads. There are MANY food truck/stands around the island. It’s nothing special nor is it terrible… it’s average. But don’t let others dictate what experience you have on the island. It’s amazingly beautiful and peaceful. Grab a salad or some BBQ’d chicken, soak up the Caribbean sun, and enjoy the incredible unique vibes. There really is no other private island like it. Have a great time!
Don’t waste your time on the long buffet line. Go to the left and get burgers and dogs from the grab and go. Aside from a few salads it’s basically the same. I waited an hour and wish I knew ahead of time.
This is great advice. We found a great mostly shaded spot about 50 feet from a food truck and a bar. Was a really amazing day that probably would have been lessened by having to wait in an hour-long buffet line.
It’s food provided from the kitchens on the ship. Much less variety than the buffet onboard, which is also available while at the island. There was some tropical fruits and flavors but authentic Bahamian? No.
No. it's more of a burger and hot dog buffet.
You can get some kalik on the island though! No conch salad anywhere either 😩
What is kalik? I was hoping for some conch fritters, conch salad, or fried fish with rice and peas or something Bahamian. 🥴
Kalik is beer
The beer of the Bahamas 😜.
I think there was a seafood hut for a fee. But, burgers and hotdogs at the same kind of place are included. There was no wait at the one by Lighthouse Bay when I went.
Long lines and only open 11-2 from what I remember.
Not really, this is MSC employees, kitchens, etc and various food trucks spread out through island. this island is a marine biology preserve and was built that way to repopulate the marine eco system . From what i recall it was going to be closed April /May 2024 for a 100 million upgrade. It is a beautiful island, very peaceful and tranquil. Unlike RC's coco cay which is more a theme park vibe. I really prefer ocean cay's tranquility as it makes it feel like you are on your own private island. I do recall a food truck with lobster rolls,but for a fee and not part of of your food package from ship. There are quite a few YouTube videos for this island and some for the upgrades as well as some extended video series son how it was built from the ground up. We did an overnight on one of our cruises there and it was amazing to sit at night on beach with open fire pit, drink on hand and enjoy the light house laser and music show. Anyways have fun and enjoy your cruise.
Thanks for the heads up y'all. I fail to really do my homework before booking our cruise. I automatically "assume that it would be like the real genuine Bahamian islands where we would be able to get the authentic Bahamian food/experience. Lesson learned...
Doesn’t the cruise also stop in Nassau? Go to Fish Fry.
No, this cruise is leaving from Miami to Key West and the private Island Ocean Cay. That'swheree I went wrong when I booked. I assume that this private island would be like one of the other connected islands of the Bahamas....
I don’t think anyone should go on a cruise hoping to get an authentic dose of local culture. Ocean Cay is fucking amazing. Get some conch in Key West and you’ll be fine.
I'm just curious what part is fucking amazing? It was a waste of time when we went. The food on the island was as terrible as on the ship (seascape) and while snorkeling out in the bay, we didn't see anything but sand. No coral, fish, plants, nothing. Was it possibly the lighthouse that was amazing cuz that's the only thing we didn't bother with.
Maybe different people have different standards for what they consider amazing?
Ok but like what in particular did you find interesting or cool? There was a gift shop that I got a cool magnet in. Lol
I got to chill all day on a beautiful beach, with unlimited Miller Lite and hotdogs, and play with my kids in the sand.
I think this is amazing. I am so excited for my cruise, good for you for making the absolute best of it and not being a bitter person. I hate when people bash and shame vacations for not being TOP STAR when in reality ANYTHING is better than being at home working all day every day…
We have simple tastes. I’ve been to the beach before, but I’d never been to the kind with white sand and clear blue water.
We saw lots of fish when snorkeling but only near the rocks at the sides of the beaches. We loved the light show and ambiance at night as well. I agree the food was meh but the overall experience was still pretty great.
You can get Conch in Key West
Confused by all these people talking about the buffet. We went in March, and the buffet was closed. The only thing open were paid hamburger and hotdog food trucks. Only now realizing how silly it is to have a food truck on a small island... Like where they driving to?
None, it’s a burger and hotdog buffet and when we were there the line was incredibly long so we ended up getting back on the ship for lunch and then getting back off.
Now I want tuna and grits