Sail to exclusive cruise line private islands such as CocoCay, Great Stirrup Cay, and Labadee. Relax on white sandy beaches, snorkel in crystal waters, and enjoy luxury cabanas!
Cruise ships are floating hotels meant to host guests while transporting them on dream vacations.
Many of the cruise lines invested millions of dollars in their slice of paradise.
Cruise line private islands offer you absolute blissful moments to experience local culture, music, dance, and crafts. Your delicious meals will be included in the cruise fare and you can enjoy a leisurely day under a sun umbrella, enjoy a beachfront massage, or even rent a kayak.
Relish the time spend on MSC’s private Island Ocean Cay. It is exclusively for MSC cruise passengers to showcase what real fun is and the environmental stewardship which cruise line advocates. It a a piece of heaven in earth. When your cruise ship is docked at the island, guests can walk off the ships and enjoy the pristine white sand beaches with umbrellas, loungers, and cabanas by the shimmering blue sea. Moreover, there are activities such as kayaking, jet skiing, catamaran tours, paddleboarding, and more.
Also Read: Things to Know About Ocean Cay
A private island located in the Bahamas by Disney Cruise Line offers dock debarkation facilities to passengers. Castaway Cay is a private island under a castaway theme where Disney Cruise Line dredged the harbor and built a pier so you could easily walk off the ship without the need of a tender. Besides good food and shops, the island delivers ample space at three separate beaches, water sports, and shore excursions. You can spend hassle-free leisure time as the cruise provides you with onshore child care and other programs for kids that are supervised by counselors. Enjoy the swim platforms waterslides, water cannons, and more with your family. The lush island gives you dry land for a bicycle ride and a Game Pavilion for basketball, billiards, table tennis, and football. The postmark at the post office there is exclusive to the island that mentions Castaway Cay. So, before you leave, mail a letter back home.
Also Read: Top Things to Do in Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Holland America Line/Carnival Cruise Line Private Islands located in the Bahamas, offers the tender debarkation to passengers. The island got its name because of the crescent-shaped beach. Half Moon Cay offers you an array of amenities and fun-filled memories. You can choose to rent clamshell sunshades with two lounge chairs or Manta sun shelters, relishing a free BBQ for lunch. There are other activities available for you that you can indulge in like horseback riding on the beach, renting floating foam mats, a water park, and water sports for adults, and biking. Need not worry about your kids' activities as that will include a stingray adventure, a snorkel boat, and a Hobbies Catboat. DJ for late evening dancing and a straw market for shopping will add an exciting element to your trip. If you are travelling with a large group, there is a two-story air-conditioned beach villa that can be reserved. Half Moon Cay is also an international bird sanctuary in the Bahamas.
A private island located in the Bahamas by Norwegian Cruise Line/Regent Seven Seas Cruises/Oceania Cruises offers the tender debarkation to the cruisers. Once a hideout for pirates, Great Stirrup Cay is the first cruise line private island opened in 1977 and is one of the favorite destinations for sun-seekers. If you have the zeal to explore, enjoy the island by parasailing, snorkeling in Bertram's Cove through an underwater sculpture garden, kayaking, jet-skiing, and feeding the stingrays. The island offers you BBQ and frosty drinks. Visit an exclusive lagoon enclave, a Mandara Spa, and private villas to cherish your holiday. Your kids will love the water splashes at the Aqua Park and Hippo Water Slide.
Also Read: What are the best things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas?
A private island located on Eleuthera in the Bahamas by Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line offers the tender debarkation to the cruisers. Owned by Princess Cruises, this private island is also a destination for Carnival Cruise Line. Princess Cays is a tender port, but the operation runs smoothly for the short ride from and to your ship. The island is home to several amenities like beaches, water sports, and a pool for kids, multiple bars, wildlife excursions, dune-buggy riding on the beach, a kayak adventure in the lagoon, and a new Stingray Encounter. The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, food and drink outlets, watersports, beach yoga, volleyball, and shopping sessions add to your memories. A honeymoon couple can enjoy their moments in a private cabana rental. One can also choose to relax with their eyes closed on daybeds for rent or in an air-conditioned bungalow. The most appreciated feature by visitors is the on-island Wi-Fi.
A Cococay private island located in the Bahamas by Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises offers the cruiser's dock debarkation facility. Apart from the water park, pier, multiple pools, bars, and shops, the floating playgrounds with water trampolines have made it a perfect holiday destination for enthusiasts like you. If you love water sports, then book early for snorkeling or scuba diving. You will also find the largest water slides in North America and the largest wave pool in the region of the Bahamas. For others, there are several beaches and beachside sports like basketball and volleyball, freshwater pool, and so on.
Also Read: Plan the Perfect Day at CocoCay
Labadee is Royal Caribbean's exclusive prime vacation spot on the north coast of Haiti. Although it is technically a peninsula, it has been turned into an entirely private paradise for cruise guests. This destination has gained popularity for its Dragon's Breath Flight Line, reputedly one of the world's longest over-water zip lines. Visitors are offered five different beaches, all presenting various shades of the all-action Adrenaline Beach to the quiet waters of Columbus Cove. The resort has several dining options offering barbecue lunches to local dishes. Cultural experiences include visits to the Artisan's Market, where local Haitian craftsmen showcase their work. Water activities include jet skiing, parasailing, and renting a private cabana for some luxury leisure.
Costa Cruises' private paradise on Catalina Island is located near the coast of the Dominican Republic. Unlike its namesake in California, this tropical gem features undeveloped white sand beaches and clear waters for swimming and snorkeling. Guests may BBQ at the beach, sip tropical cocktails, or explore the colorful underwater world. Known for its peaceful ambiance, the island is an ideal place to unwind. A quick boat ride takes guests to Altos de Chavón, a reconstructed Mediterranean-style village from the 16th century that showcases Dominican culture and history, making Catalina Island a blend of discovery and relaxation.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye in Belize is a veritable green dream for relaxation and adventure. This 75-acre private island has a huge garden pool with a swim-up bar, a salt-water lagoon for kayaking and paddle-boarding, and a seven-acre beach with opulent cabanas. If adventure is more your style, zip-lining across the island or joining a snorkeling and diving tour on the great Belize barrier reef will surely get the adrenaline pumping! Nature and eco-tourism flourish in the sanctuary, with colorful birds and exotic butterflies. Harvest Caye is one of the few private islands that showcase authentic Belizean culture through local restaurants and artisan shops.
Amber Cove, one of Carnival Cruise Line's private ports in the Dominican Republic, offers sophisticated yet authentic Caribbean experiences. Close to Puerto Plata, this lush oasis features a massive resort-style pool with waterslides, cabanas, and swim-up bars. Highlights of fun excursions include ATV rides, waterfall hikes, and catamaran sailing. A lively marketplace at the port celebrates Dominican culture, featuring local crafts, rum tastings, and upbeat music. Unlike the tradition of private islands, Amber Cove allows cruisers to experience immersive off-site tours to nearby historic sites, beaches, and jungles in a good balance of relaxation and adventure.
Celebration Key, Carnival's newest private island destination in the Bahamas, is designed for a cruise guest's ultimate beach getaway. The island is set for opening in 2025 and will feature stretches of white sand beaches, large poolside areas, and great dining and shopping choices. It will appeal to all ages with its family-oriented zones, adult-only spaces, and exhilarating water-based activities. Celebration Key plans to bring alive the party spirit and fun Carnival is famous for, with beachfront entertainment, lots of bars, and tropical adventures. With easy access from popular layover ports in the U.S., this new stop will surely become a must for Caribbean cruisers.
If you visualize relaxing on a secluded beach, under natural beauty with cocktails, and sounds of a soft DJ, you will love a stop at one of these spectacular private islands. The best cruise lines private islands provide cruisers with dream locations and a clean quality-controlled experience to create many unforgettable cruise vacation memories.
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