Cruise line private islands have been making headlines lately: Most recently, news broke that the government of the Bahamas would rescind the tax-free status enjoyed by the islands on goods and services, which going forward will be subject to 10 percent VAT.
Shortly before that, Carnival Cruise Line unveiled details for Celebration Key, which in 2025 is scheduled to become cruising’s newest private island.
Since Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the first private island cruise port at Great Stirrup Cay almost 50 years ago, private island port calls have become a mainstay of Bahamas and Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Today, over half a dozen cruise lines offer some version of these popular all-day watersports and beach-party calls, and the concept continues to evolve. While all the private island cruise ports listed below are exclusive to the lines that own them, some may be shared with sister lines, as noted.
Celebration Key
Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key will open in July 2025
on the south side of Grand Bahama Island. Its distinguishing design features
are five portals—the Welcome Portal, Adult-Friendly Portal, Family-Friendly
Portal, Private Club Portal, and Retail Portal. Up to two Carnival ships at a
time will dock at an adjacent pier, allowing guests direct access to the
destination. Of special note are “the largest freshwater lagoons in the
Caribbean,” according to the line, and a pavilion dedicated to hosting
weddings. And while it has yet to welcome its first guests, Carnival is already
planning future improvements, including a waterpark and zipline. Celebration
Key will be visited by 18 Carnival ships sailing from nine U.S. homeports.
Lookout Cay
Disney Cruise Line’s all-new private island retreat, dubbed
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, welcomes its first guests this coming June. Inspired
by the surrounding Bahamian environment, Lookout Cay is billed by Disney as a
place “where magic meets the beauty and culture of the Bahamas.” Like other
such new facilities, it promises a full range of complimentary amenities for
families, kids, and adults, with everything needed for a carefree day at the
beach, including towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, and "a pinch of
pixie dust." Lookout Cay will be called at by Disney ships departing from
Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Fort Lauderdale.
Hideaway Beach
Royal Caribbean International’s Hideaway Beach made its
debut recently, concurrent with the introduction of the line’s Icon of the Seas,
the largest cruise ship in the world. Located on the northwest side of the line’s
CocoCay private island (marketed as A Perfect Day at CocoCay), Hideaway Beach
is a paid-access, adults-only area for guests 18 and older with its own
separate facilities including 20 extra-charge private cabanas, two infinity pools,
swim-up bar and myriad food and drink venues. Situated west of the pier, it is
reachable via a seven-minute walk or free tram. Capacity is up to 1,800 guests
at a time. Passes to enjoy Hideaway Beach start at $39 per person and vary
seasonally. CocoCay will be visited by 22 RCI ships in 2024, sailing from more
than nine departure cities. In addition to vessels from Royal Caribbean, CocoCay
and Hideaway Beach are frequented by ships from sister line Celebrity Cruises.
Ocean Cay
MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay Marine Reserve is also slated for
improvements. The most ecological-oriented of the cruise ship's private
islands, Ocean Cay, will be enhanced with additional amenities for passengers
and new environmental infrastructure “to enhance the guest experience and
marine conservation,” the line said in making its announcement this past
November. Upgrades will include the instruction of excursion centers to support
watersports activities and island tours, as well as a sea dive and snorkel center
and additional food and beverage outlets. Of special note is a marine
conservation center housing interactive pavilions, a lecture hall and coral
exhibition tanks. Five MSC ships are visiting Ocean Cay during the current
winter season.
Two Holland America Line ships docked off the coast of Half Moon Cay, the line's private island in The Bahamas. (Photo Credit: Lacey Pfalz)
Half Moon Cay
Holland America Line is moving forward with plans to
construct a pier at Half Moon Cay, which the line boasts is “the highest rated
Bahamas private island.” Amenities include a two-mile stretch of white-sand
beach, 15 cabanas and five two-story villas, multiple food pavilions, a straw
market, nature trails and a pirate ship. Activities include watersports like
snorkeling and kayaking in the protected lagoon, wading with stingrays, a
glass-bottom boat tour and horseback riding through the surf. Half Moon Cay is
featured on every Holland America cruise to the Caribbean this winter aboard
seven of the line's ships. Several ships from the sister line Carnival also
call here.
Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line reportedly has improvements planned
for Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, cruising’s original private island,
including the construction of a long-awaited dock so ships can tie up rather
than tender passengers ashore. Although there has been no official
announcement, NCL has, according to online reports, sought approval from the
Bahamas government for dredging in order to build a pier that would accommodate
two cruise ships at a time. Nearly a dozen NLC ships will call at Great Stirrup
Cay in 2024.
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