Tag Archive for: project

MSC Cruises to Build $200 Million Private Island in the Bahamas

havana-live-fl-msc-cruises-ocean-cay-island-20151217-001-92619896HAVANA, Dec. 21th (By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon)  MSC Cruises has announced plans to develop its own private Caribbean island experience in the Bahamas.

The company said it would be spending around $200 million on the project.

Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie and MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago have signed a 100-year lease agreement for the 95-acre island, which will be called Ocean Cay MSC Reserve and will offer, the line says, “an unprecedented exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas.” The line plans to break ground on the development in March 2016 and to open the island to guests in December 2017.

Over the next two years, MSC Cruises will work with the Bahamian government and ecologists to transform the former sand extraction station, located 20 miles south of Bimini and 65 miles east of Miami, into a marine reserve that will harmoniously coexist with the local ecosystem.

Plans for Ocean Cay include a berth and pier so that passengers can disembark straight from the ship to the island without tendering; a 2,000-seat amphitheater; a zipline; wedding pavilion; inland lagoon; and several restaurants and bars.

Passengers staying in the line’s premium-tier cabins, MSC Yacht Club, will have exclusive access to a spa and wellness sanctuary with private bungalows and massage huts on the northwest corner of the island.

A landscaping plan includes the planting of more than 80 indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs and a network of walking and biking trails. The line also says there will be an architecturally faithful Bahamian village; shops and an arrival center.

“This is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean,” said MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago.

Ocean Cay will be a port call on the itinerary of MSC’s Caribbean-bound ships, notably MSC Divina and MSC Seaside(which launches in December 2017) sailing out of Miami, as well as MSC Opera and MSC Armonia, which sail from Havana, Cuba. The line also announced plans to establish a crew training school in Nassau to provide local manpower for the growing number of MSC Cruises ships sailing the Caribbean.

MSC Cruises to Build $200 Million Private Island in the Bahamas

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News from ANIPLANT Havana, caring for Cuba’s Animals

havana-live-AniplantHAVANA, Dec. 7th Many changes are happening in Cuba, and many more are sure to follow.  As more people make their way to Cuba,
“to see it before it changes”, the plight of the animals is getting more attention.  Here are just a few observations we’ve heard recently:

  • Hungry, sick, mangy dogs and cats wandering the streets for food and shelter
  • “Small businesses” who are breeding dogs, and selling puppies in markets
  • Growing evidence of dog-fighting
  • Animals seen being abused, sometimes by the hands of the dog catchers
  • Thin and unhealthy horses pulling carriages for tourists
  • Concern for marine life along Cuba’s pristine coast as development begins

More tourists are asking how to help–whether it is donating supplies or dollars to Aniplant, or trying to find help for a sweet-faced, hungry, sick dog or cat they meet on the street.  We are thankful to hear these requests for information on how to help.  Aniplant and The Aniplant Project are dedicated to helping these poor animals.

Our number one mission is to spay/neuter as many dogs and cats as possible to prevent unwanted animals.  Other important goals are education and raising awareness for the humane care and welfare of all animals in Cuba.

Last, but not least, Nora Garcia and her circle of volunteers have daily missions of helping animals…one at a time.  This small team has been called on to locate and help needy animals all over Cuba…to visit regularly, to feed, to ensure the dogs or cats are safe, and to vaccinate and treat them for sickness.
All of these activities take resources.

This is where your donations go:
For anesthesia to spay/neuter animals
For food and medicines to treat strays
For gasoline or bus fare to find and care for reported strays regularly
For use of the internet so that Nora can receive and respond to requests for help
For maintenance of the Aniplant clinic in Cuba and the 20 dogs who live there
For supplies of surgical gloves, sutures, mange/parasite medications, etc.

Please take a moment to donate.  Every dollar helps.  With your continuing help, we hope to make better lives for many more Cuban animals in 2016.   Thank you for your love and care of the dogs, cats, horses, birds… and all the animals of Cuba!

Thank you!  ¡Muchas Gracias!   Merci!   Danke!

The Aniplant Project Team

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