Living the Sunshine Life
Travel > Cruising > My MSC Seaside 2026 Experience
This has to be the Best Cruise Itinerary Ever!
In March 2026, the MSC Seashore left Miami to travel to Ocean Cay. I love taking photos and talking about cruise experiences, so I put together this blog loop with details about the trip — and the ship, the food, and all the fun.
This post is just one of a few posts from the trip. Go to the main page for my March 2026 MSC Seaside experience to see all the posts! You can also use the navigation below to go to the next post.
The Itinerary
Imagine a cruise to nowhere that goes to the best port ever — and that’s this cruise! For years, I’ve been dreaming of a way to go straight to Ocean Cay and just stay there. Unfortunately, all passengers have to get back on the ship and return to Miami, so I still dream.
This particular sailing lasted four days, with one sea day and one stop at Ocean Cay, MSC’s marine reserve near Bimini in the Bahamas. It’s a short sailing, but at least it’s going somewhere great!
Pre-Trip THoughts
Before a cruise, I like to sit down with myself and plan out my intentions for the trip. Usually, my plans relate to the ports. Like, am I going to work my way through a box of tea or work on essays or focus on a new skincare routine. (Does anyone else do that?)
This cruise would be over a minute after it started, it’s so short. My main goal was to see Ocean Cay in 2026 and get some footage for an updated island tour video.
The only personal “intention” I could think of was to finish a book.
A few months ago I picked up a book in San Juan. The bright orange ombre cover, the fantasy cum history storyline, the thick spine… At the time, I had lots of time on my hands so I bought it.
The story was complex and I had been having trouble getting into it. So I told myself that on this sailing, I’d read as much of it as I could.
Oh yeah, it’s The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and it’s just book one of a trilogy.
All the Posts for This Experience!
1. This has to be the Best Cruise Itinerary Ever!
2. When a Campsite is Cheaper than a Hotel Room
3. First Impressions of the New MSC Terminal at Port Miami
4. First Impressions of the MSC Seaside
5. My MSC Seaside Abode, Cabin 11197
6. A Full First Day on the MSC Seaside
7. Sea Days Are for Relaxing…and Eating
8. Shh! The Bestest Quiestest Spot at Ocean Cay
9. And the Seaside Returns to Miami
10. Fill out the Cruise Survey!
Overall...
What a fun cruise. Too short for my liking, especially since I’ve gotten used to being at sea for weeks at a time, but the stop at Ocean Cay was exactly what I needed.
MSC has been posting news about changes it has been making to Ocean Cay, its private island in the Bahamas. All these changes concern me, since the beauty of this island is it’s deserted island vibe. Other cruise lines have thrill rides, luxury treats, and landscaping…things that need infrastructure and create waste. It’s good to see that even with the extra construction being done, Ocean Cay is being maintained as a simple marine reserve.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to check out my latest video on YouTube!
Jenny Claire is an award-winning educational materials writer, travel journalist, and food critic, formerly based in New York City and Taiwan. She calls a cute cabin in the woods of rural North Central Florida home, but lately she’s been spending most of her time cruising and traveling. She also was a secret travel critic and writer — but her lips are sealed on those details!
Living the Sunshine Life