Cruise-Ship-Only Islands

If you've ever taken a cruise especially in the Caribbean, you probably stopped at a cruise ship company's private island. You lounged on soft white sand beaches with your fellow passengers; you snorkeled in the emerald and turquoise waters of a tropical paradise; and you even had a professionally relaxing massage in the warm ocean breezes as you overlooked the sapphire seas. Such experiences may be available in the normal ports of call, but it's only at the cruise line's private island that is reserved for the passengers. And they are often rated the most exciting and most pleasant stops on a cruise itinerary.

Most of these private cruise-ship-only islands reside in the Bahamas, but some can be found in the Caribbean or the South Pacific.

Carnival

Mahogany Beach, Roatan. Crystal turquoise waters lap up on the white sands of Mahogany Beach. The nearby cruise center has a chair lift which takes people from the ship to the island itself! Water sports, cabanas for rent, beach volleyball, shops, dolphin swim excursion, and restaurants.


Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Due to an exclusive deal with the country, Carnival has created exclusive access to an 800-foot beach right next to their own cruise center. Horseback riding, historical submersions for snorkeling near, and massages.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. (Shared with Holland America) Wild bird sanctuary, hammocks, stingray excursion, glass-bottom boat, water sports, hiking trails, straw market shopping, horseback riding, and bicycle trails.

Celebrity

Labadee, Haiti. (shared with Royal Caribbean) Don't worry, it was not damaged by the earthquake, and reopened after 3 days thanks to the financial pressure pushes of the Hatian government. Shopping area, restaurants, snorkeling in coral reefs, water trampoline, rollercoaster, Wave Runners, bars, zipline over the pristine waters, 5 beaches, parasailing, and slides.

Coco Cay, Bahamas. (Shared with Royal Caribbean) Snorkeling and wreck discovery, a giant inflatable waterslide, trampoline, nature trails, floating climbing walls, playground, and 3 beaches.

Costa Cruises

Catalina Island, Dominican Republic. Nature preservation area, snorkeling in the barrier reef, dancing on the beach, and lots of beach areas, including one for the European crowd (aka topless sunbathing).

Disney

Castaway Cay, Bahamas. Pirates of the Caribbean fans would enjoy The Flying Dutchman. Snorkeling among Disney-themed wreckage, an island train ride, water cannons, cabanas, 3 beaches, 2 fast slides, and a dance party with Lilo and Stitch.

Norwegian

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The world's largest slide, Calypso band dancing, hammocks, historical lighthouse, snorkeling for the coral reef and marine-coloured life, boogies boards, and a beach barbecue.

Paul Gauguin

Motu Mahana, Tahiti. Water skiing, massage huts, beach barbecue, wind surfing, quiet stretches of tropical beach, and picnics for two.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cay, Bahamas. Shallow waters in which you can wade or beach comb, fortress and treasure hunting for kids, Love Boat Marina, diving around the Eleuthera Wall, sandy white beach, and kayaks.

Now that you know some of the private stops of the cruise ships, let's get you booked on a cruise so you can experience these for yourself! It really IS a whole new world out there! Book today at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!