Cruise lines know their ships are crucial elements in attracting travelers to book, but they also understand that where they sail is extremely important too.
That's why the latest push has been for companies to develop private islands and destinations that deliver the best shoreside experience on par with the shipboard one.
For decades, the Caribbean has been a mainstay of cruise port calls and excursions, but only the private concept ensures end-to-end quality control dictated by the cruise line.
While Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay, for instance, had been around for longer, Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay was really the first to set the gold standard with its attached pier that did not require tendering ashore and its overall pristine attractions and facilities.
Great Stirrup Cay is among the destinations receiving recent attention, taking cues from Norwegian's other new Harvest Caye, which also has its own dock. Interestingly, several new destinations are beginning to eclipse Castaway Cay with more elaborate features like zip-lines-already at Harvest and on their way for Great Stirrup.
The question is whether Disney will try and catch up or stick to its tried-and-true formula.
There was talk of the line working to develop another island destination, but that project has apparently been abandoned for now.
Carnival Cruise Line could be another to soon tout two destinations, with existing Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic being one, but it's not entirely certain that its newly announced development on Grand Bahama Island will be a private destination per se.
For now, it's said by the company to be "the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever constructed in The Bahamas," according to a press release.
It will feature a one-mile-long beach; food, beverage and shopping options; water amenities and recreational facilities-all of which are indeed likely to be exclusive with hybrid means to also access other areas and attractions on the island, not unlike Harvest Caye's relationship with greater Belize.
If it does turn out to be private, it will surely impress in scale as it's also set to include a pier that can accommodate two of Carnival's biggest ships simultaneously. (Other private island docks can only tie off one ship at a time.)
In either case, the race is surely on, and it will be most interesting to follow other destinations like Castaway Cay and even the likes of Princess Cruises' Princess Cays to see if they plan improvements as well. One thing that is for certain: those without attached piers and elaborate parks will soon be in the minority.
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