MSC Cruises has entered the final phase of work on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, its private Bahamian island.

The line has planted the first trees on the former industrial sand extraction site, which will welcome its first guests in November 2019.

MSC Cruises’ executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “It was a very special moment to be on the island together with the team that has been working non-stop on this incredible project, to see how our vision is starting to take shape.

“Words cannot convey the unbelievable natural beauty of our island and it is only when you have stood there for yourself, surrounded by nothing but beautiful ocean with nothing else on the horizon, that you can really understand what we are accomplishing here.

“I can’t wait to welcome, in one year’s time, our first guests to this truly magical place, a one-of-a-kind island and experience that will set new standards for a private island experience in the Caribbean.”

More than 75,000 native shrubs and plants will be planted with more than 60 types of indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs.

MSC will also soon start work on over 100 environmentally-friendly structures, which will include bars, restaurants and housing for employees and staff who will live on the island.

One of the most distinguishing features will be a pier that allows the ship to dock alongside the island, so guests can walk on and off at their leisure.

A shallow water lagoon will be added in the centre of the island to provide an area for families, while there will also be eight beaches.

Plans are also underway for a marine laboratory to research climate change-resistant coral in hopes of providing insights to similar island habitats.