The Future of Cruise Line Private Destinations

If you’re interested in getting a glimpse at what the future of private destinations might hold among cruise companies, you’d do well to look at what Norwegian Cruise Line has done with its new Harvest Caye in Belize.

Awards have been given out to celebrate the guest experiences that have been had on such islands, but we may have only seen the beginning until now. The first thing that is likely to happen in the future is the development of even more destinations. Some cruise lines already have a couple destinations to their names, casting a broader range of port locations and varieties, and some do not yet have any.

READ MORE: Behind-the-Scenes: Norwegian Cruise Line Impresses with New Harvest Caye

MSC Cruises is in the process of crafting its first Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Caribbean, which has been delayed to 2018, but it did just open its new Sir Bani Yas in the Emirates. That’s also another trend to expect: more private destinations beyond the Caribbean. As more ships come online internationally, cruise lines will need more berths as well.

Meanwhile, other cruise lines are looking to match the likes of Royal Caribbean International’s pair of CocoCay and Labadee. Norwegian now has two of its own with Great Stirrup Cay in addition to Harvest Caye, and Disney Cruise Line has been looking at developing a second to its Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. However, the Miami Herald reported that the company has decided not to pursue the option, at least at Egg Island, any longer amid local opposition and environmental concerns.

Cruise lines are also likely to open up the insulation from the surroundings a bit more. While exclusively branded ports afford more end control over a positive guest experience, they also cut guests off from a genuine taste of local life. Harvest Caye seeks to change that with Belizean operations and access to mainland excursions via boat transfers from the island.

READ MORE: MSC Cruises Announces Development of Unique Private Island in the Caribbean

There’s also more of a concerted effort to showcase regional flora and fauna. Harvest Caye features an excellent nature center with butterflies, boa constrictors, keel-billed toucans and hopefully soon scarlet macaws, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is planning to plant 80 indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers, and shrubs. MSC Cruises’ Caribbean entry into the market will also feature the ability to be visited at night, an opportunity that would be welcome from other islands also.

New features will always be added to stay competitive like Holland America Line’s fresh Lobster Shack and improved private cabanas on its Half Moon Cay, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017. In fact, the elevation of open-air cabanas to air-conditioned villas as seen on Harvest Caye is another thing to expect. Luxuries will more frequently follow guests from ship to shore accordingly.

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