MSC’s Freeport Plans Include Two Coasters, a Water Park, and More
We’ve heard complaints about cruise destinations becoming too much like theme parks, but can you imagine stepping off your ship and heading to an actual roller coaster?
That’s part of the plan for a new cruise development in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. MSC Cruises is working on a project that could completely change the port experience, with plans for an inverted coaster, a water coaster, and a variety of other attractions.
And the coasters are only part of the story. The plans also include a water park, swimming pools, splash pads, fountain entertainment, restaurants, bars, and shopping.
These are just a few of the things mentioned in a recent Environmental Impact Assessment report for the site, revised and released two weeks ago. Tucked into those documents are attraction masterplans and concept sheets that give us a much closer look at what MSC has in mind.
What Is MSC Building in Freeport?
The new Freeport Cruise Terminal is planned for Billy Cay, a 54-acre site of reclaimed land within Freeport Harbour. MSC Cruises and Freeport Cruise Terminal Ltd. have proposed a $400 million development that can accommodate up to four ships at once, along with a new district for dining, shopping, entertainment, and attractions.
The proposed layout calls for three berths along the northern side and a fourth on the western side, potentially accommodating four ships simultaneously. The final number and configuration of berths will depend on further engineering studies.
The northern berths are intended to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships. Interestingly, the engineering study specifically references Royal Caribbean’s Oasis- and Icon-class ships as design examples, rather than MSC’s own World-class ships.
The western berth would accommodate smaller ships. The study illustrates possible docking arrangements for MSC Seaside and Carnival’s Dream-class ships, although those examples are used for planning and do not establish that Carnival or Royal Caribbean will call at the terminal.
For cruise passengers, the plans point to a port with plenty to do close to the ship. The proposal includes restaurants, bars, food stands, a local vendors market, and a transportation hub offering connections by land and water.
Preliminary estimates allocate approximately 8 acres to the attraction park and 14.8 acres to the retail, dining, and entertainment district.
Billy Cay Is Not an MSC Private Destination
Billy Cay won’t be another private destination like MSC’s Ocean Cay or Royal Caribbean’s Perfect day at CocoCay. Although MSC is behind the project, the terminal is intended to serve multiple cruise operators. Both the environmental assessment and the government’s January announcement describe a facility for multiple users.
Billy Cay’s terminal and attraction park are separate from MSC Beach Club, which MSC is developing on a 20-acre beachfront portion of the Grand Lucayan Resort in Lucaya. That beach club is planned for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests, while the Billy Cay terminal is intended to serve multiple cruise lines.
Two Coasters Are in the Plans
The most attention-grabbing details appear in the illustrated attraction masterplans. The fourth drawing labels two proposed rides that caught our attention: an inverted coaster and a water coaster.
An inverted coaster would be a first for a cruise ship destination. And while some private islands have water coasters in their water parks, this would be the first cruise port to have a stand-alone water coaster at a cruise terminal.
The actual coaster models haven’t been selected yet. The drawings show the proposed layout, but they also make it clear the plans are still preliminary and that manufacturers, ride models, heights, speeds, and prices have not been disclosed.
While the coasters are probably the most attention-grabbing part of the study, they’re the final step in a four-stage attraction plan, after other rides, dining, and entertainment.
A Water Park Is Also Planned
But they’re not building just a theme park. The preliminary site plan identifies a water park area, while the construction documents describe water slides, swimming pools, water features, splash pads, and aquatic play facilities.
Concept landscape sheets call the water park area Paradise Waters. They describe lush tropical landscaping around the water slides and water features, with the sheets stamped “Future Phase.”
One detail gives a sense of the size of water facilities being considered: the assessment estimates that 3-5 million gallons of water would be needed to initially fill the pools and water park attractions. For perspective, that’s enough water to fill roughly five to eight Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The documents do not give the water park its own opening date or explicitly tie it to one of the four illustrated attraction stages.
How the Attractions Could Roll Out
The four masterplans offer a useful look at how the destination could develop over time.
Stage One: A Promenade and the First Rides
The first drawing calls for a shaded promenade, arrival gateways, the main pedestrian pathway, and roughly 50% of the buildings. Its initial rides include a carousel and two other rides: Wave Swinger and Twist & Splash.
Wave Swinger likely refers to the popular swing attraction manufactured by Zierer. It’s a classic boardwalk attraction found at many theme parks around the world.
Twist & Splash is likely a ride by Mack Rides and a bit more unique. The manufacturer describes the ride as an interactive water ride with boats, water cannons, and family-friendly fun.
The report notes that the rides depend on procurement timing.
Stage Two: Fountain Entertainment and More Rides
The second stage adds a few more attractions.
The map shows Big Wavez, a drop-tower ride by Zamperla Rides that lifts guests 50 feet into the air before dropping them, creating a huge wave at the bottom that splashes nearby guests.
It also shows a swinging boat ride. You’ve probably seen these at many theme parks as well. They’re typically themed as pirate ships and swing back and forth, taking guests 60 feet or higher into the air.
A new section labeled “Fountain Spectacular” also appears in this phase. The drawing shows a large circular fountain feature and also labels a fountain maze.
At this point, the plan calls for 80% of the retail offerings and 50% of the food and beverage offerings.
Stage Three: More Places to Eat, Drink, and Play
The third drawing shows a mirror maze and venues labeled Pool Bar and Splash Bar. According to the drawings, 100% of the food and beverage offerings would be open at this stage, and the rides would be operational, although the coasters would come later.
Stage Four: The Coasters Arrive
The fourth drawing adds the inverted coaster and water coaster, with a caption stating that the signature coasters would be operational.
Why Freeport Needs a Fresh Look
It’s easy to see why some cruisers push back against destinations that feel more like theme parks. But Freeport is also a place where an investment in the guest experience could make a real difference.
The current harbor’s industrial setting is part of the challenge. If you’ve sailed to Freeport in the past, you’ve seen that the waterfront is filled with cranes, warehouses, container yards, and dry docks. That is a very different first impression from stepping off a ship into a beach resort, and MSC’s plans would add more dining, entertainment, and attractions right at the terminal.
There’s also not a ton to do in the immediate area in terms of activities and excursions. How do you get guests excited about a cruise to a port when you can’t point to great experiences they shouldn’t miss?
Improving the Bahamas Experience for Cruisers
Concerns about the experience in Freeport, and the Bahamas in general, are not new. In an April 2023 interview with The Tribune, former Bahamian Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar called for new excursions and activities, saying, “Freeport is the worst and Nassau is three from the bottom” when discussing cruise-port rankings.
Royal Caribbean’s Michael Bayley raised a similar concern about Nassau that month. He said Nassau ranked in the bottom 10% for guest satisfaction, explaining, “They’ve come here many times before and there’s nothing new, fresh or innovative.”
While his comments concerned Nassau, they highlight the broader challenge of giving repeat visitors something different to do. Other cruise lines have already taken steps to address that challenge. Royal Caribbean launched Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, its private, extra-fee beach club directly across from the cruise port. According to comments on investor calls, this new initiative has been very successful.
Likewise, Carnival took a “build something” approach elsewhere on Grand Bahama. Just a 23-mile drive from this new complex, Celebration Key opened in July 2025 with freshwater lagoons, a beach, dining, shopping, and waterslides. It can now accommodate up to 4 Carnival Corporation ships and they’re working on a second phase of attractions.
MSC’s plans would bring a different mix of attractions to the harbor itself. Noticeably missing from the plans, though, is any kind of beach experience.
When Could MSC’s Freeport Development Open?
Billy Cay’s first phase should open in the second half of 2028.
The environmental assessment, which was revised October 9, 2026, outlines the following earlier construction schedule:
- January 2027: Planned construction start.
- September 2027: Target completion of the first berth and initial shoreside development.
- Mid-2028: Earlier target for phase-one completion.
- 2029: Target for full project completion.
But in an address this week, Prime Minister Philip Davis spoke about the separate MSC Beach Club at Grand Lucayan and said it is planned to open alongside Billy Cay’s first phase in November 2028.
Still Early Plans
It should be noted that these are still early plans. These documents are different from an official press release or marketing piece from MSC or Freeport. Plans may change based on the environmental assessment, budgets, or other factors, but overall, they show what’s being envisioned for this destination.
But the documents already paint a picture of a Freeport stop with far more to do at the terminal, from dining and fountain entertainment to water attractions and, eventually, two proposed coasters.
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