Envisioning a lucrative future on Grand Bahama Island, MSC Cruises is making a major investment in Freeport Harbor, where it plans to build a new cruise facility and beach club.

In a media update about development across the island, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis revealed some details about the cruise line’s plans for Grand Bahama’s cruise-tourism industry.

Those plans, according to the January 27, 2026, statement, include an estimated investment by MSC Cruises of $450 million. A new cruise terminal proposed for the Billy Cay property, a man-made island in the middle of Freeport Harbor, will be allocated $400 million, while the remaining $50 million will go toward a beach club and the renovation of the harbor’s retail village area.

Read Also: Freeport, Bahamas Cruise Port – Amenities and Getting Around

The renovation will include cruise ship berths, food and entertainment areas, and other visitor-focused services such as a transportation logistics center, likely for shore excursions and independent island tours.

“The project is designed as a multi-user facility, supporting operational flexibility and positioning Grand Bahama to capture greater cruise activity, higher passenger volumes, and wider economic spillover into transportation, hospitality, culture, and small business,” said Philip Davis, prime minister of the Bahamas.

“The broader role MSC continues to play in strengthening Grand Bahama as a serious maritime and logistics hub,” Davis added.

He noted, too, that MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), the cruise brand’s owner, has already invested in upgrades to the Freeport Container Port. MSC is the world’s largest container shipping operator.

The prime minister indicated that the Bahamas and MSC Cruises had signed an agreement, but MSC Cruises has not commented on plans for the cruise terminal development.

MSC Cruises Also Investing in Marine Reserve Upgrades

MSC Cruises is hyper-focused on broadening its presence in the Bahamas, a goal welcomed by government officials looking to expand the country’s cruise industry.

Their efforts are working. In addition to its plans for the Billy Cay property, MSC Cruises announced on January 28, 2026 it will finance enhancements to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, its private island destination in Bimini, Bahamas.

Multiple new dining venues, an expanded cruise ship pier, a family beach area, and an adult-only retreat are all part of the plans to upgrade the reserve. The changes are due to be completed by late 2027.

MSC Cruises offers voyages to Grand Bahama Island, including aboard the 4,488-guest MSC Meraviglia in November 2026. A combination 4- and 10-night cruise sails roundtrip from Miami on November 11, 2026.

The 4-night cruise calls at the line’s marine reserve and at Freeport before returning to PortMiami. Guests booked on the 10-night sailing remain onboard to enjoy additional port calls at Turks & Caicos, Nassau, Bahamas, and another visit to the reserve.

MSC Cruises is not alone in betting big on the Bahamas, as virtually all of the major brands have a presence there. Carnival Cruise Line in summer 2026 opened its $600 million Celebration Key, a private destination on Grand Bahama Island. 

Royal Caribbean features its Perfect Day at CocoCay on a private island in the Bahamas, along with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay and Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, among several others.

Bahamas Reveals MSC’s Bold Plan for a New $450 Million Cruise Development