Horseback riding excursion, Half Moon Cay
Holland America
How to Have the Best Day Ashore on a Private Island
By Zachary Laks
Sometimes, traveling is about the journey and the destination, especially when your cruise itinerary includes a stop at an exclusive private island. The majority of these islands owned by cruise lines are found in The Bahamas, making them an escape to paradise, with their pristine beaches; crystal-clear, warm waters; excellent amenities; and hospitable service. These oases are available only to guests sailing on the cruise line, which means you’re afforded an intimate experience and there’s ample space for every passenger ashore.
Top cruise private islands include Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Perfect Day at CocoCay; Carnival Cruise Line’s two islands, Half Moon Cay and the upcoming Celebration Key, the former visited by both Carnival and Holland America Line ships; Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay; Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently expanded Great Stirrup Cay; and Princess Cays, Princess Cruises’ exclusive port of call on Eleuthera. How to have the perfect day on one of these islands depends on your interests, your mood and who you want to share your time with. Truly, the day is yours to customize, with a variety of things to do, from beach-side activities to setting off on an adventure to simply kicking back, carefree, in a hammock with a refreshing frozen drink. Check out the options to imagine your best island day.
Overlooking the expansive beach on Half Moon Cay
carnival cruise line
The best beaches in the Caribbean
First and foremost, the thing these islands have in common is beaches—seemingly everywhere. The strands at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, Castaway Cay and Great Stirrup Cay invite sunbathers and beach combers with white powdery sand, smooth crystal waters, and ample spots for lounging in and out of the shade.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is home to several stretches of beach, each with a unique vibe. Families with young children gather at Harbor Beach, located on a cove that surrounds the warm, shallow waters of Harbor Lagoon. The surf is calmest here, with plenty of cozy spots to lounge under umbrellas that dot the beach perimeter. Traveling without children? Then, drop in on the upscale day club vibes at adults-only Hideaway Beach, the island’s newest addition, where a live DJ keeps the beach party going all day and in-water hammocks keep you cool. South Beach presents the same pristine sands, but this beach also holds volleyball nets and other beachfront games.
Half Moon Cay is home to 9 miles of beach and a 1,700-acre interior lagoon. Start your day at the 2.5-mile-long Half Moon Beach, where the clear waters offer the serenity of one massive pool. The farther you walk from where the cruise ship has tendered, the more primitive and secluded the beach becomes. In those moments, it can feel like the island belongs to you alone.
Celebration Key
Celebration Key will become Carnival’s second private island destination when it opens in summer 2025. It will debut with an expansive mile-long, white-sand beach perfect for lounging, strolling, accessing the Atlantic Ocean or joining in on the many fun beach activities. Its Calypso Lagoon will be the adults-only day club with a live DJ and innovative island cocktails. Find your spot at one of the area’s nearly 50 over-water swings as you dip your toes in the water and lose yourself in the stunning ocean views.
When you disembark at Castaway Cay, the Disney beach dotted with umbrellas and loungers dominates the view. These white sands are where many families stop first, but if you are 18 years and older, head to Serenity Bay. This adults-only beach area comes with cabanas and a nice strand to walk.
Approximately 1,500 feet of sand comprise Main Beach at Great Stirrup Cay, the private island Norwegian has been developing and updating over the past several years. Loungers and cabanas line up in columns along the water, giving early arrivers dibs on the best water views. Spots for dining and cocktails extend from Silver Lagoon on the island’s northwest side to its northeastern rocky breakwater.
Although Princess Cruises’ exclusive stop in The Bahamas is not a private cruise island, Princess Cays is a private cruise resort situated on 40-plus acres at the southern tip of Eleuthera. Here, more than a half mile of white beach stretches, a perfect backdrop for kicking back with a cool beverage and soaking in the sun.
Couple enjoying the water
Royal caribbean cruises
Splish, splash water fun
Kissed by nearly translucent, calm waters, each of these islands makes it easy to simply play in the ocean. While there is some overlap, such as snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking and SUPing at all of them, each island also offers unique aquatic fun. Try a pedal boat or hire a catamaran at Half Moon Cay. At Celebration Key, dive into a guided snorkeling excursion to see amazing coral reefs and the fish swimming among them. Snorkeling is also popular at Castaway Cay’s Snorkeling Lagoon—look for the hidden Mickey Mouse—and at Great Stirrup Cay’s Underwater Snorkel Garden, where surprising sculptures rise from the ocean floor. Pre-reserve your aquatic fun at Princess Cays, where you can rent in advance snorkel equipment, sea boards, swimming noodles and floats. If you’d rather not deal with rentals and gear, simply dip into the ocean or one of the many pools for a refreshing swim. Over-water swings at Great Stirrup Cay recall memories of youthful swinging and laughing, but with a lagoon at your feet.
CocoCay Beach Club
royal caribbean cruises
Active adventures beyond the sea
Once you disembark or are tendered to your cruise island, loads of activities await. Dance to DJ tunes, participate in organized games of volleyball or basketball, or pay a little extra for something extraordinary. Pay out of pocket for the Stingray Adventure at Half Moon Cay, for example, in exchange for swimming and interacting with gentle stingrays in their natural habitat. Or, get a bird’s-eye view of Half Moon Cay and the surrounding teal waters while parasailing. Perfect Day at CocoCay offers similar ways to view its island from above: the Up, Up, and Away Helium Balloon ride and Zip Line adventure. Those amusements complement its Thrill Waterpark, where the tallest water slide in North America, a wave pool and the Adventure Pool delight visitors. Slip down two twisting water slides at Castaway Cay’s Pelican Plunge, part of a floating platform that youngsters adore.
In addition to the immediately obvious activities, additional excursions are available. Celebration Key will offer guided ATV rides, swimming with dolphin encounters and island tours. Meanwhile, Half Moon Cay already books nature walks to explore the island’s undeveloped inland forests, a bike and hike tour to travel inland paths, an ecotour by boat that promises wonderful bird watching around the lagoon, and horseback riding that comes with a possible ride in the ocean. An easy bike ride, punctuated by several stops at island landmarks, takes Princess passengers interested in history out of Princess Cays and around Eleuthera. For more serious exercise, run a 5K around Castaway Cay, taking in the island’s airstrip, swaying palms and pretty shoreline. Norwegian offers an unusual activity—swimming with pigs. A boat whisks you to Treasure Island, where playful pigs willingly play in the waves with you.
Lobster Shack lobster feast
holland america line
Surf, turf, and a toast to paradise
When it comes to satisfying your appetite, these islands deliver. Half Moon Cay’s Lobster Shack is the go-to for a mouthwatering lobster feast, raw oysters and snow crab, all served at an extra cost. Four charming bars dot the island, and the Captain Morgan “On the Rocks” Bar, fashioned as a stranded pirate ship, is the one not to miss.
The full scope of Celebration Key’s food offerings is still being finalized. Early details signal that there will be multiple included eateries, specialty restaurants and Bahamian food trucks that feature fresh local fare.
Dining at Perfect Day at CocoCay is its own adventure. Skipper’s Grill and Chill Grill are the island’s two main free lunch options, featuring fresh burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, tacos, salads and desserts.
Upgraded dining experiences that are worth the additional fee include the acclaimed wings at Captain Jack’s, the jerk chicken pizza at Slice of Paradise (included with your day pass to Hideaway Beach) and the grilled Bahamian lobster (included with your day pass to Coco Beach Club).
Seek out the island’s signature Coco Loco frozen cocktail from one of the many bars never too far out of reach. It’s worth noting that the best bar, the Floating Bar off South Beach, happens to be the farthest out of reach because it’s in the water (which is perhaps why it’s said to be the best).
CocoCay Clubhouse relaxation
Inclusions and the upgrades to consider
When visiting one of these private cruise islands, many inclusions come with your standard cruise rate. Savor those all-you-can-eat beachside barbecues and fresh island fare for lunch, towels, beach loungers, kids’ playgrounds, sports courts and more. These inclusions are certainly enough to enjoy your day, but if you want to elevate your time, then pay extra for certain excursions, private cabanas (each destination offers them) or perhaps a massage on the beach of Half Moon Cay. An upgrade at Perfect Day at CocoCay could be access to the exclusive Coco Beach Club, which offers an infinity pool, upgraded dining options and a more serene atmosphere. One of Norwegian’s newest offerings caters to travelers seeking privacy and time to themselves. The new villas at Silver Cove are a home-away-from-home, complete with a private bathroom, A/C, a TV with complimentary on-demand movies, entrance to the upscale Silver Cove buffet, and a gorgeous, unobstructed view and access to the beach.
Connect with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent to plan and book a memorable cruise vacation experience.