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Unleash Your Inner VIP: Jet Set to 10 Exclusive Cruise Ship Islands
Live Like a Rock Star: Cruise to 12 Private Islands Paradises of Luxury, Nature, and Adventure
DETROIT (Feb. 20, 2024) - For those looking for a dream vacation of cruising through the blue ocean or spending time on a secluded Caribbean Island with white sandy beaches or an epic adventure destination, the experts at CruiseCompete know that private islands are a top way to fulfill that dream. Cruise line private islands offer the perfect mix of luxury, nature and adventure thrills. You can choose to relax in a cabana with a private butler or enjoy water slides with the kids, dive with dolphins and stingrays or explore a shipwreck underwater. Or maybe try a dose of adventure on a Zipline and a speed boat.
Here are some of the top private islands that the travel experts at CruiseCompete have assembled to make it easy for you to decide. These private islands are one of the top reasons to book a cruise that visits and spends time there.
Royal Caribbean: Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas)
The most vibrant island on the list is buzzling courtesy of the huge 13-slide Thrill water park and the Up, Up and Away helium balloon. Get a thrilling view of the island on the helium air balloon from 450 feet above the ground. Or get a margarita by the swim-up bar and jump into the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas. Walk into their Coco Beach Club and dip into the infinity pool overlooking the ocean or enjoy the first overwater cabana in Bahamas with a private concierge serving you their signature Coco Cuvee cocktail.
Unique Experience: Enjoy gliding through the tallest waterslide in North America at Perfect Day Coco Cay.
Tip: Get around the island on the complimentary tram to maximize your day and don't forget to try the Snack Shak' delicious burgers.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Harvest Caye (Belize)
The picturesque 75-acre Harvest Caye is a natural and cultural wonder dotted with mangroves. Look for sea turtles and manatees from a glass-bottom boat, paddle board across the second largest coral reef in the world or soar through the 4-football-field-long Zipline. You can also drive through the local village for a sight of rural life and watch the artisans at work. The island has the perfect ratio of fun-filled entertainment and offbeat escape.
Unique Experience: Visit the Mayan ruins at Nim Li Punit to explore their history or go on a culture and medical trail with a Mayan shaman.
Tip: Guests can hike at Harvest Caye, so carry a pair of hiking shoes for an impromptu hike around the island.
Princess Cruises: Princess Cays (Bahamas)
This 40-acre retreat in the south area of Eleuthera island is a haven bordered by greenery, lagoons and sparkling, colorful fish-filled water. This tropical paradise is the perfect location to soak in the breathtaking nature views while swimming in its white sand beaches. You can partake in water sports to break a sweat or beat the heat with a refreshing drink while wandering the local craft market on the island.
Unique Experience: Enjoy a complimentary beachside barbecue to energize after a tiresome match of water volleyball.
Tip: Bring ample sunscreen to Princess Cays since most activities are outdoors.
Holland America Line: Halfmoon Cay (Bahamas)
The Bahamas' most popular private island, Halfmoon Cay, has won Best Private Island awards for the last 20 years. In here there's always something for everyone. Children love the Half Moon Lagoon Aquapark, which has slides and a pirate ship to while away their time; adults can enjoy horse riding along the shores for some main-character energy. You can simply cozy up in a personal hammock to enjoy sunsets and privacy or kayak your way around the simmering blue water. The choices are endless.
Unique experience: The little chapel on the beach is open for wedding ceremonies or vow renewals, making it a beautiful venue for a romantic gathering.
Tip: There are about 40 unique species of birds on the island, pack your binoculars and see how many you can spot.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)
Norwegian's private island features a 7-acre white, sandy beach for its passengers to relax and unwind. Adventurers can enjoy kayaking along the coasts, snorkeling among the sea turtles and bright fish in the calm blue water or flying high on the island's Ziplines. This island also has a private luxury villa getaway-Silver Cove-with an impressive buffet, entertainment with on-demand movies, and private restrooms opening to spectacular views of a beach. Build delicious tacos to feast at the complimentary Abaco Taco Bar or enjoy their food truck with refreshing drinks at Bacardi bar.
Unique Experience: The Island offers a one-of-a-kind experience of fun swimming with the pigs of Treasure Island.
Tip: Don't forget to carry closed-heel shoes for Ziplining and enjoy some on-island souvenir shopping.
Virgin Voyages: Bimini Beach (Bahamas)
Virgin Voyages' compact island packs a punch with all the magnificent adventures it delivers. The retreat offers the best adventures, from underwater expeditions to exploring blue holes. You can also swim with the friendliest fish on the island of Bimini, the stingrays. The island sits close to the shallow reefs of the Atlantic and is a perfect scuba spot with the most amazing sea life to encounter. If you prefer something less adventurous, ride through the Caribbean breeze on an open-air tram across North Bimini to experience the island and its rich history.
Unique Experience: Guests can dive and swim around the Wreck of Sapona with nurse and reef sharks at Triangle Rock in a safe and controlled environment.
Tip: If you want to dive with the elusive hammerhead sharks in their natural habitat at Bimini reefs, December through April is the best timing.
Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Cay (Bahamas)
Cast away your stress and enjoy the magic and the madness of Disney's private island. You'll find a beach for everyone - the Castaway family beach with Cookie's BBQ restaurant, Serenity Bay is a secluded adults-only zone with drinks from Air Bar and a Sports beach with volleyball and tetherball. And the cruise ship docking facility cuts off the hassle of a shuttle boat ride to the island. Go on a private romantic date, dropping the children off at Scuttle Cove, the island's supervised children's club where kids get to catch appearances from their favorite Disney characters.
Unique Experience: Guests could mail charming cards postmarked Castaway Cay to friends and family through the working post office on the island.
Tip: Make sure you sip specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups at Olaf's Summertime Freeze near the Pelican Point tram stop.
MSC Cruises: MSC Marine Reserve Ocean Cay (Bahamas)
The 95-acre Ocean Cay island of MSC stays true to the marine reserve experience. The retreat has six stunning beaches lined with silky white sand, a lighthouse with spectacular views and cabanas that double as spas. Along with the usual list of daytime activities, the island features a glow-in-the-dark event where LED lights beneath stand-up paddleboards catch the curious creatures in the ocean. Top this with the vast food options from food trucks to coffee bars and restaurants serving authentic Bahamian cuisine, this is a paradise on earth.
Unique experience: Enjoy an evening of stargazing with state-of-the-art tracking telescopes figuring out constellations and planets in the starry Bahamian sky.
Tip: Book a twilight cruise around Ocean Cay onboard the double-decker catamaran and see the ocean come to life at night.
Costa Cruises: Catalina Island (Dominican Republic)
A complete escape from city life, this idyllic island focuses on experiences over an adrenaline rush. The island has endless activities to explore where voyagers can relax on a catamaran, take a boat ride on the Chavon River, discover Dominican traditions by jeep and visit the nearby villages for memorable souvenir shopping. Catalina Island is for those who seek a relaxed cruise holiday over hustle and bustle.
Unique Experience: Walk through the underground museum of the Cave of Wonders with tunnels filled with native Indian paintings and follow this with a visit to cigar factory.
Tip: Bring in your A-game if you're participating in the Catalina Marathon challenge that happens every year.
More Private Island Experiences Coming Soon
Carnival Cruise Line: Celebration Key (Bahamas) Scheduled to open in July 2025 and nestled on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, it is designed exclusively for Carnival guests-adults, families, kids-everyone that appreciates fun and natural beauty. What you'll find there is just like Carnival's onboard vibe that folks love. When your ship pulls up, the vacation possibilities are expanded with unique island-style fun, relaxation and adventure spread across 65 acres and five "portals" for you to explore. Each portal is distinctly different, made for another side of Carnival fun plus get ready for unforgettable experiences like a mile-long white sand beach, largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, local Bahamian flavors and shopping, plus excursions and more. Of special note are "the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean," according to the line, and a pavilion dedicated to hosting weddings. There are also plans for a water park and Zipline. Celebration Key will be visited by 18 Carnival ships sailing from nine U.S. homeports.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Bahamas) Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point welcomes its first guests June 2024 and offers a window into the rich culture, warm hospitality and breathtaking natural beauty of The Bahamas. Dig your toes into the blush-sand shoreline, dive into the vivid blue waters and be mesmerized by stunning vistas of the shimmering Caribbean Sea, stretching endlessly into the horizon. Everything needed for a carefree day at the beach awaits-towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, fun and a pinch of pixie dust, all included. Inspired by the surrounding Bahamian environment, Lookout Cay is billed by Disney as a place "where magic meets the beauty and culture of the Bahamas." Like other such new facilities, it promises a full range of complimentary amenities for families, kids and adults, with everything needed for a carefree day at the beach, including towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, food and "a pinch of pixie dust." Lookout Cay will be called at by Disney ships departing from Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale.
Royal Caribbean International's Hideaway Beach made its debut recently, concurrent with the introduction of the line's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. On the northwest side of the line's CocoCay private island (Royal Caribbean calls it 'A Perfect Day at CocoCay'), Hideaway Beach is a paid-access, adults-only area for guests 18 and older with its own separate facilities including 20 extra-charge private cabanas, two infinity pools, swim-up bar and myriad food and drink venues. It is a seven-minute walk or free tram ride. With capacity of up to 1,800 guests at a time, passes to enjoy Hideaway Beach start at $39 per person and vary seasonally. CocoCay will be visited by 22 RCI ships in 2024, sailing from more than nine departure cities. In addition to vessels from Royal Caribbean, CocoCay and Hideaway Beach are frequented by ships from sister line Celebrity Cruises.
For more information and to book a cruise to any of these or other cruise line private island, please see more here:
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