Table Of Content
- Do you need a passport to take a cruise to the Caribbean?
- Guide to Which Islands 21 Caribbean Cruise Lines Visit
- Cruise lines: Holland America Line & Carnival
- I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had
- Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International
- Have fun in the sun at these Caribbean playgrounds made for cruisers
- ALL CRUISES DEPART FROM GULFPORT HARBOR
- Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay: Best for Sun and Sand Lovers
Check out our breakdown of some of the best cruise line private islands and see which one is the match for you. If you're wondering which cruise private island is the best, it really depends on you and what you're looking for. It's true we've never met a private island we didn't like, but each has its own unique features and distinct personality. Owning or renting your own private island may be a bit of a reach, but luckily there's an easy -- and fun -- solution. Cruise lines have been cultivating and developing their very own private island destinations for the better part of three decades, meaning we can just go and enjoy ourselves and leave the hassles of owning a private island to them. If you're looking for more information about the private island experience, as well as a list of these private islands, which lines operate them and what you can expect when you call there, you've come to the right place.
Do you need a passport to take a cruise to the Caribbean?
Immerse yourself in the region as skilled bartenders lead you through an immersive cocktail experience. Enjoy an endless selection that changes throughout the day to satisfy the most discriminating palate. Indulge in a delightful array of worldwide cuisine, freshly baked breads and regional comfort foods, in a casual setting at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy fresh fruits, signature pastas and desserts galore along with your favorite beverages and customizable features like create-your-own salads and sandwiches. Princess offers a selection of staterooms that provide full wheelchair-turning space.
Guide to Which Islands 21 Caribbean Cruise Lines Visit
The same goes for Taino Bay in the Dominican Republic, which is the latest private area developed for cruise passengers. Royal Caribbean exclusively uses Labadee, a beach area in Haiti, as a private location reserved for its passengers only. Because Labadee occupies only part of an inhabited island, access to the island is not exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers, but access to the Labadee area is.
Latest Developments in Cruise Line Private Islands - TravelPulse
Latest Developments in Cruise Line Private Islands.
Posted: Sun, 11 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise lines: Holland America Line & Carnival
On a recent trip, the shops had everything from spirit jerseys and T-shirts to Christmas ornaments and swimsuits. This peaceful chair-lined beach is a quiet spot away from the family beach, where I can sit back and enjoy the view or take a chair down to the water and let the waves crash over me. I hate taking tender ships, which can feel like a bit of a time sink, so this is a big bonus to me. If you hastily toss a few things in a beach bag five minutes before heading off the ship, you're bound to forget something important.
Cruise lines will pay new tax on private islands in the Bahamas - FOX 35 Orlando
Cruise lines will pay new tax on private islands in the Bahamas.
Posted: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
These 11 common mistakes trip up both newbies and experienced cruisers when visiting popular private islands on Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. Be forewarned so you can live out your island fantasies without a single travel nightmare. When it comes to private islands, Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas couldn’t be lovelier. Blue skies, a crescent-shaped beaches, aquamarine seas and warm breezes make this cruise destination a must-see. Half Moon Cay is one of the islands that make up the archipelago of The Bahamas and is a significant nesting area for waterfowl. It is not surprising that nature lovers find plenty to do in this magnificent place.
Great Stirrup Cay and CocoCay are two popular destinations in the Bahamas, each offering unique experiences for visitors. The resort’s name was unveiled in August 2023 – Celebration Key – and we now know it will open to guests in July 2025, with cruises open for booking from September 2023. One of the smallest islands on this list, Motu Mahana really is a tranquil tropical escape. Both because of the size of the island and also the style of the cruise line, don’t expect massive shopping markets or a huge range of planned excursions.
Have fun in the sun at these Caribbean playgrounds made for cruisers
Private islands operated by cruise lines are beautiful patches of vacation paradise with white-sand beaches, lounge chairs for everyone, refreshing tropical drinks that come to you and activities like water sports and zip lines. Don't create trouble in paradise by making an epic vacation blunder that will leave you with beach-day regrets. Half Moon Cay is the largest of all the cruise ship private islands, but it keeps facilities and amenities to a minimum, with most of the island remaining undeveloped. That means passengers can enjoy relaxing on the expansive white sand beach or hiking through three miles of nature trails. Half Moon Cay offers a fun experience that is supervised by an efficient staff from your ship that provides passengers with whatever they need. Located near beautiful Eleuthera in the Bahamas, the 2,400-acre island is all about steady sunshine and warm tropical waters.
ALL CRUISES DEPART FROM GULFPORT HARBOR
Unlike most other private islands, Harvest Caye doesn't offer any free food options on shore. Passengers will find an outpost of Jimmy Buffett-affiliated LandShark Bar & Grill, but all the food and drinks come with a fee, and you can't pay with your cruise card. Anyone not wishing to spend the extra cash can head back to the ship for a meal. Also, while more than half of the industry's private islands have docks, the rest require ships to anchor nearby and shuttle passengers back and forth from ship to shore. Be prepared for queues if you want to get off the ship right away; the lengthy process can detract from the time you're able to spend enjoying the port. Tender boats are not always accessible to travelers with mobility difficulties.
Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay: Best for Sun and Sand Lovers
While it’s necessary to leave the secured, private area to access these attractions, you’re well looked after by Royal Caribbean staff. The second of Royal Caribbean Group’s private destinations, Labadee is located in a lush, green forest on the northern coast of Haiti. This private Bahamian island is owned by and operated exclusively by Disney Cruise Line.
Private islands are an outpost of your cruise ship and charge nearly everything to your cruise card. Exceptions are purchases made in the markets in Half Moon Cay and Labadee, from some of Harvest Caye's and Princess Cay's local vendors, and at the post office on Castaway Cay. The best tip is to make sure you do wander a little distance from the tender port if you want to relax on the beach. With the island being so small, it won’t take long for you to explore and you should be able to find a more secluded spot for some private relaxation time. The island has distinct beach areas for various ages – the Family Beach, the Sports Beach and the adults-only Serenity Bay.
It's human nature to grab the first empty beach chair you see, but if you pick a lounge chair close to the pier, you'll be in the noisiest, most crowded part of the island. Remember that more than one ship can visit a private island simultaneously, so those empty spots near you will fill quickly. Walk away from the ship (and the music-blaring bars), and you'll be rewarded with more peaceful surroundings.
Home to the standard amenities – several beaches, including a private adults-only area, water sports, a pool for kids, multiple bars, and wildlife excursions, it’s easy and relaxing to spend a day here. Cruise lines promise free lounge chairs on their private islands but don't guarantee fee-free shade. If your cruise line's beaches offer beach umbrellas, they might not be free. Clamshell covers for lounge chairs always cost extra and are best reserved in advance because they often sell out.
Another highlight is the Up, Up & Away helium balloon, which allows guests to see the island from the sky. Whether you're looking for a laid-back day on the beach or a thrill-packed island adventure, there's a private island getaway just for you on your next Caribbean cruise. Researching excursions and amenities ahead of time will help you plan your time on the island and make some lasting family memories.
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