With chic staterooms, high-end amenities, and over-the-top service, the only thing many cruise ships are missing is a long sandy beach! To provide their passengers the same experience on both water and land, six cruise lines actually boast their own private islands. Read on to find out which private island strikes your fancy, it might just be the deciding factor on which cruise you take next!
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian started the trend of a cruise line owning its own private island, when the cruising company purchased Great Stirrup Cay from an oil company in 1977. Norwegian is expanding it’s land portfolio, with the debut of Harvest Caye in Belize this upcoming November. Norwegian’s Dawn, Getaway, Escape, and Jade will port in Harvest Caye during Western Caribbean cruises; sister brands Oceania and Regent Seven Seas will also make stops at the island. Harvest Caye boasts a seven-acre beach with 10 private villas, a 15,000-square-foot pool complete with a swim up bar, and a 130-foot-tall flighthouse, where guests will find zip lines, free-fall jumps, suspension bridges, and a ropes course.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean’s eco-certified 140-acre island in the Bahamas is known as CocoCay. The island has six bars and four strips of white sand with self-explanatory names like Watersports Beach and Snorkel Beach. CocoCay is one of the largest floating aqua parks in the Bahamas; passengers can’t miss the 40-foot waterslide inside the island’s Aqua Park. This environmentally friendly island also has plenty of nature trails and places to sit back, relax, and enjoy a tropical drink.
Disney Cruise Line
Castaway Cay is a 1,000-acre island with plenty to keep the whole family occupied. Disney’s private island has its own water slide, water-balloon battles, and of course, character appearances galore. There’s even a Mickey statue and replica submarine that can be found while snorkeling. For those in need of grown-up time, there are supervised activities at Scuttle’s Cove or Da Shade Game Pavilion where parents can drop off their children and head to Serenity Bay, the quiet adults-only beach located almost a mile away from the main strip.
Holland America
Located in the Out Islands between Cat Island and Eleuthra, sits Holland America’s Half Moon Cay. Only 2% of the 2,400-acre islet has been developed, but there’s still plenty to explore beyond the two-and-a-half-mile crescent of white sand. Along with the usual activities of jet skiing and kayaking, guests can also sign up for a beachside massage, to snorkel with stingrays, or enjoy a horseback ride. Half Moon Cay is also a Wild Bird Reserve, so birdwatchers can keep their eyes peeled! Another cool amenity Half Moon Cay is that if you’re traveling with a group, you can throw a beach party for up to 24 people at the Private Oasis, a 1,620-square-food pavilion on a rocky promontory that comes with a hot tub, waterslide, sun deck, showers, butler, and a personal chef.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Just off the coast of Taha’a in French Polynesia is Paul Gauguin Cruises tiny private islet, Motu Mahana. As passengers arrive to the island, they are greeted by Tahitian singers and dancers known as Les Gaugines. Once ashore, passengers can partake in pareo-tying, basket-weaving classes, and can even learn how to make traditional cuisine. The true draw to this area is the unfathomably clear turquoise water.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is currently spending $200 million to transform a 95-acre former sand extraction station into a marine reserve and private port of call, which will welcome ships beginning in December 2017. The island will be called Ocean Cay and will feature 11,400 feet of white sand, a zip line, inland lagoon, a wedding pavilion, and a spa and wellness center for MSC Yacht Club guests. Ocean Cay will be unique in comparison to other ‘cruising islands,’ thanks in part to its nightlife scene. A 2,000-seat amphitheater is set to debut with the port; passengers will be able to enjoy music and performances while hopping around between multiple bars and restaurants.
