Tuesday, April 9, 2024

A guide to cruise line private islands: What you can expect

cruise ship island

Since I upgraded to Celebrity's Premium Wi-Fi, I had higher hopes for the connectivity. In the end, I'm glad I paid the difference because my partner's Basic Package was even more restrictive. She was able to open apps on the ship that she wasn't able to on the island, such as Instagram and TikTok. Though I'm not surprised by what seemed to be more Royal Caribbean guests at Hideaway due to Wonder of the Seas' capacity, it was hard not to notice all the bright orange bands throughout the day. When we returned to our inside stateroom after dinner, we discovered that our cabin steward had left us some complimentary CocoCay swag, including a baseball cap, towel clips, and a small misting spray bottle.

Other Cruise-Owned Islands

Depending on the cruise line, you'll find grilled burgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, ribs, steaks, corn and an assortment of salads, desserts and fresh fruit — all served buffet-style from an open-air pavilion. On your cruise line's private island, you'll find shacks stocked with a limited number of floating beach mats, snorkels and fins, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and other water toys. To ensure you get what you want, reserve the equipment before your sailing or while you're still on the ship. You don't want to be that parent who has to tell your kid there are no more floats available. Some vacationers new to cruising do not consider themselves "beach people" and assume there is no reason to go ashore at a private island. In reality, island days are not only about sitting on the beach; you're missing out if you stay on board.

Find an Island Princess Cruise from $449

cruise ship island

You need to pre-book and the cost is around $1500 for up to 12 guests. Upgrade to the Private Oasis Cabana and you’ll get your own two-storey luxury beach shack complete with iPod docking station, grill, showers and misting station. They can enjoy being sprayed with water from the pirate ship’s cannons or play on the shark, dolphin, whale and octopus-shaped water toys provided. Half Moon Cay is uninhabited so locals from the nearby island of Eleuthera ferry across to the island when there are cruise visitors. They teach you their ways, dance culture and also braid your hair to provide a more local look. There are plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks dotted around the island for relaxing, napping and absorbing the gorgeous views.

cruise ship island

The Shops of Princess

Blessed with both gorgeous sand and stunning clear water, you’ll want to get your fill of both. In other words, if you’ve ever wanted to spend a day on your own island, surrounded by the bluest water on the planet, this is your chance. It’s large, with seemingly miles of beaches and enough space to where you can get away from it all. The island typically ranks second among private island destinations, only beaten by Castaway Cay. Harvest Caye, Norwegian's second private island, opened in 2016, providing a plethora of outdoor activities for visitors. Shore excursions are available, including paddleboating and personal watercraft tours.

Purchase and open your clamshell and have the beautiful pearl made into a ring or pendant while you wait. It’s a unique and lovely way to celebrate your visit to the Bahamas. A convenience store is also located near the Welcome Center where you can purchase snacks, sunscreen and other beach essentials.

These spots (called Beach Shacks) are also free, but we’ve noticed some have paid options. With so many of them, you never have to walk far to get a bite to eat. They have a menu of hamburgers, dogs, and pasta salad for those who don’t eat meat. Other beaches include Bimini Beach, Ocean House Beach, Sunset Beach, and more. A rare color of electric blue, the waters of Ocean Cay are some of the most striking we’ve ever seen. One thing to note is that the winter months can see cooler water temps.

The exclusive area called Coco Beach Club is now open, and it has some incredible perks. From rejuvenating spa treatments and the tranquility of a top-deck retreat reserved just for adults to our state-of-the-art fitness centers, you’ll find all the elements to come back new. From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home. Whether you crave relaxation or exhilaration, you'll find the soothing Lotus Spa®, live entertainment, gourmet cuisine, casino gaming and more.

Motu Mahana is quite the outlier when it comes to cruise line private islands. Whereas most lines own islands in the Bahamas, Paul Gauguin's Motu Mahana is located on the other side of the world, in the South Pacific. This dreamy topical enclave is an escapist's luxury private islands fantasy come to life, complete with coconuts, palm trees, soft white sand and a shallow crystal-clear lagoon teeming with fish. 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.

Most major cruise lines either have their own private islands or share one with other brands under the same corporate umbrella. (The only one that doesn't is Celebrity Cruises.) Some of the islands are owned by the lines that visit them, while others are leased by the lines from the countries that own them. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Family Suites at Silver Cove start at $799 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, an outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight.

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Before all of that, though, it was a private hideout while the British settled in Nassau. Cruisers can dine free at the Food Pavilion which has open-air seating and serves a range of dishes including burgers, salads, hot dogs and fresh fruit. These snorkeling expeditions include use of a snorkel, mask and fins. A boat will take you further offshore where you can visit the coral reef which is bursting with colorful marinelife, fish and anemones. Part of the fun of cruising is joining in some tours and excursions at ports of call to try something new.

In fact, you'll be able to see the infamous Daredevil's Peak waterslide from your ship as you approach the island. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.

The further you walk from the ship, the quieter the beach will be so if you’re looking for your own private spot, you will find it here. It can take a while to get everyone ashore so the best advice is either to get up early and be one of the first in line or hang around enjoying a leisurely breakfast and relaxing until the rush is over. The island had no infrastructure so construction involved installing electric generators, reverse osmosis water plants for freshwater, sewer treatment, and incinerators.

It’s an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food that's made-to-order. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like It’s Hot. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert.

The spot sits just off the coast of Florida near Freeport in The Bahamas and promises to be the ultimate playground for cruise passengers. Half Moon Cay is used primarily by Holland America cruise ships and by some Carnival cruises when not required by HAL. Getting married as part of your luxury cruise to Half Moon Cay is a great way to have a memorable wedding ceremony without it costing an arm and a leg! When you step off the tender ship and walk towards the island’s welcome center, you will notice a beautiful white church built in Bahamian cultural style. Half Moon Cay has a contrasting mix of green vegetation, white sand and blue sea.

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