Dec 10 2014
6 Cruise Line Private Islands Explained
By CruiseRadio
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"></span><strong><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-size:20px;">6 Cruise Line Private Islands Explained</span></span></strong><br></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Looking for a port less traveled? Perhaps one that won’t have six ships in port on the same day? Your best bet is to check out the private islands of the major cruise lines. The majority of them have their own private island paradises that offer smaller crowds and the convenience of using your sail cards in port.</span></p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 3rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Check out these 6 Cruise line private islands:</span></span></h2><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Castaway Cay (Disney)</span></span></h3><div id="attachment_21952" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px auto 2rem; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; width: 560px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21952" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Castaway-Cay.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Castaway-Cay.jpg" alt="Photo Disney Cruise " width="550" height="366" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></span><p class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.4rem; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Photo Disney Cruise</span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Formerly known as Gorda Cay, this private Bahamian island owned by and operated exclusively for Disney Cruise Lines, opened in 1998 after a 25 million dollar enhancement. Designed in a ‘castaway’ theme, the island features food service, shops, three separate beaches (including an adults-only option), water sports, shore excursions and even its own 5K race. Guests are able to use their room keys on the island and Disney even offers onshore child care. One of the best features of this private island: no tendering. Disney cruise ships dock directly at a pier on the island. Before you leave, don’ forgot to stop by the post office to mail a letter back home. The postmark is exclusive to the island and mentions Castaway Cay. For even more details and an interactive map, visit <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.visitcastawaycay.com/" href="http://www.visitcastawaycay.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">www.visitcastawaycay.com</a>. The ship docks at the pier here.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Half Moon Cay (Carnival & Holland America)</span></span></h3><div id="attachment_21953" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px auto 2rem; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; width: 560px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21953" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/HMC.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/HMC.jpg" alt="Half Moon Cay" width="550" height="411" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></span><p class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.4rem; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Half Moon Cay</span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Officially owned by Holland America Cruise Line, this 2400-acre island paradise is used by HAL and Carnival ships. The name Half Moon Cay comes from the island’s 2.5-mile-long crescent-shaped beach. Sadly, it’s a tender port, but many of the amenities and offerings make up for that inconvenience. Free BBQ for lunch, beach horseback riding, a kids’ water park area and a chance to swim with Sting Rays. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.carnival.com/" href="http://www.carnival.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">Carnival.com</a> has the info you’ll need to plan your trip to this Bahamian island. This is a tender port.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean)</span></span></h3><div id="attachment_21954" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px auto 2rem; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; width: 560px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21954" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/COCO.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/COCO.jpg" alt="photo Royal Caribbean" width="550" height="253" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></span><p class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.4rem; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;">photo Royal Caribbean</span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">A 140-acre tropical eco-friendly paradise, Royal Caribbean’s private island is a Gold-Level Eco-Certification by Sustainable Travel International™ for its environmentally friendly activities and tours. What does that mean to you? Well, the beaches are unspoiled and you’ll find activities like nature trails and aquatic offerings. Want to just relax and enjoy the beach? Your favorite bar waiter will be there with a frosty drink offering while you while the day away in a hammock. Kids will enjoy Caylana’s Aqua Park, a fun-filled floating playground.<a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/" href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">Royalcaribbean.com</a> has all the details on this exclusive port. This is a tender port.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Great Stirrup Cay (NCL)</span></span></h3><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 3rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21955" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/GSC.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/GSC.jpg" alt="GSC" width="550" height="410" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 0px auto 2rem;"></span></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Cruise like a Norwegian to your own private island. Well, not quite, but NCL does offer passengers a chance to visit an idyllic island paradise. Here’s your chance to parasail, snorkel, kayak – even try your hand at driving a wave runner. Similar to other private islands, you’ll get an island BBQ and the ability to purchase frosty drinks while sitting in your complimentary lounge chair. Kids will love this stop too as the island features the world’s largest inflatable water sidle, the Hippo Water Slide which stand at 40-feet high and 175-feet-long. Want more details – see <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ncl.com/" href="http://www.ncl.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">ncl.com</a>. This is a tender port.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Princess Cays (Princess Cruises)</span></span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21956" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PRINCESS-CAYS.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PRINCESS-CAYS.jpg" alt="PRINCESS CAYS" width="550" height="413" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 0px auto 2rem;"></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Got pineapple? Got paradise? Nope, we’re not talking about Hawaii here; we’re talking about Princess Cays on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Unspoiled white sand beaches and amenities that highlight the natural features of the island are part of the draw of this private island. Here, you can enjoy recreational and water activities, a relaxing day at the beach, shopping or a view from the observation tower. To check out the specific offerings, check out<a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.princess.com/" href="http://www.princess.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">princess.com</a>. This is a tender port.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 1.6rem; font-size: 2.4rem; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Labadee (Royal Caribbean)</span></span></h3><div id="attachment_21957" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px auto 2rem; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; width: 560px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21957" data-cke-saved-src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LAB.jpg" src="http://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LAB.jpg" alt="photo Royal Caribbean" width="550" height="253" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></span><p class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.4rem; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;">photo Royal Caribbean</span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">The second of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Labadee is located in lush, green forest of Haiti. The island’s history is part of its charm; legend says it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It’s changed a bit since those days – including a $55 million upgrade in 2009, this is a no-tendering port stop. An all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch is included in your visit to this port. As for the rest of the day, this is the port you’ll want to plan water activities – including snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and more. But, the island’s biggest claim to fame is the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line: the world’s longest zip-cable over water. Further inland is the Dragon Coaster, a twisting and turning alpine slide. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/" href="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; -webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; color: rgb(44, 127, 159); text-decoration: none;">Royalcaribbean.com</a> has all the details on this exclusive port. The cruise ship docks at the pier in this port.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">Have you visited any of this private ports? Which one is your favorite?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 2.6rem; padding: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; background-color: rgb(246, 245, 242);"><span style="font-size:14px;">By Sarah Phillips</span></p>