MSC Cruises will develop a large-scale cruise pier complex and beach club in Freeport, marking one of the most significant cruise infrastructure investments in the Bahamas in recent years. The project, valued at approximately $450 million, was confirmed by Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis, who described it as a “serious expansion with real scale.”
Under the agreement signed in January between MSC Cruises and the Bahamian government, roughly $400 million will be allocated to the development of a new cruise berthing area and pier complex. An additional $50 million will fund the creation of a dedicated beach club and the refurbishment of an existing retail village. Planned amenities include a welcome plaza, along with new retail, dining and entertainment venues designed to enhance the passenger experience.
Beyond port facilities, the project will also include transportation corridors and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving visitor flow and increasing opportunities for local businesses. According to Davis, the development is intended to capture higher passenger volumes while generating broader economic benefits across transportation, hospitality, cultural initiatives and small businesses on Grand Bahama Island.
Grand Bahama has become a focal point for cruise investment in recent years. The island is already home to Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key private destination and remains a regular call for Margaritaville at Sea. While earlier expansion plans involving Royal Caribbean Group did not materialize, new private-sector commitments continue to reshape Freeport’s cruise landscape.
MSC Cruises has also committed to further expanding and upgrading its Ocean Cay private destination, reinforcing the line’s broader strategy to invest heavily in Caribbean cruise infrastructure.