Top 10 Caribbean Cruise Line Private Islands
Since the 1980’s, the biggest companies have been buying up small parts of the Caribbean to host their own private islands to the point where every brand seems to have one of their own now.
For some holidaymakers it is a great day where you can simply relax, enjoy a swim, and not have to worry about excursions, currencies and getting back to the ship on time whilst for others it is just an over the top, commercialised stop with no chance to take in the local culture and for some it is a chance to stay onboard the ship whilst it is quiet and take advantage of everything on board.
No matter what you feelings towards private islands are on a cruise holiday, I am sure that we can all agree that some are better than others and that is why we have ranked 10 of the most popular private islands in the Caribbean.
Whilst these are based on our own views and preferences, we are sure that you will be able to use the list to help build your own view and decide whether a stop on one of these islands is worth it to you and your travelling group.
Our Top 10 Caribbean Cruise Line Private Islands
Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean International)
CocoCay, also known as Little Stirrup Cay and marketed as Perfect Day at CocoCay, is one of the Berry Islands, like so many of the private islands on this list, which is part of the Bahamas.
Located around 55 miles north of the city of Nassau, it sits next door to Great Stirrup Cay (owned by rivals NCL) and is only around a mile in length and around 500 yards in width.
Despite the small size of the island, it has lots to offer visitors thanks to an extensive renovation costing over $250,000,000, which included a pier capable of allowing cruise ships to dock directly and take away the need for tendering.
Nowadays, visitors can enjoy a massive waterpark featuring one of the largest waterslides in North America, white sandy beaches, and lots of great swimming opportunities plus a number of food and drink outlets.
The island is for the exclusive use of those sailing on Royal Caribbean ships and also their sister line, Celebrity Cruises.
Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Great Stirrup Cay is one of the Berry Islands archipelago in the Bahamas so as you would likely expect, there is crystal clear water waiting to be swam in, white sandy beach waiting to be sunbathed on and with this island belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line, there is lots of activities and attractions awaiting you as well.
This was one of the first cays in the Bahamas to become owned by a cruise line after Norwegian purchased it all of the way back in 1977.
Since then, the whole island has undergone lots of changes and lots of modernisation but the islands history can also be explored whilst on land.
One of the highlights of the island is its Lighthouse, which can be dated back to 1863 and a number of Naval related buildings going back to the day when the British navy used it as a base.
The island has also been used by everyone from Pirates to the Confederate Army during the American Civil War but now it is used solely by guests of NCL and its sister lines as they look to enjoy its numerous swimming pools, restaurants, bars and beaches.
Ladabee (Royal Caribbean)
A Royal Caribbean cruise is all abut having fun and doing what you want to do, when you want to do it and that mantra continues on the companies private resort of Ladabee.
The Haitian peninsula may not actually be an island but as it sticks out into the sea from the mainland and is remote from Haiti, it may has well be.
It has been owned by the company since the late 1980’s and has undergone lots of changes during that time but one thing that hasn’t changed is the rain forest that surrounds it.
Unlike so many of these private ports of call where you feel remote from the country you are in, Ladabee make you feel like you are in the heart of Haiti- at least until you look at the luxury beach resort that awaits you compete with a waterpark, sandy beaches and even a giant zip slide.
Princess Cays (Princess Cruises)
Princess Cays, as you would expect from the name, is a resort for guests of the Princess Cruise Line and whilst it isn’t an island in its own right, it is the southern tip of the small Island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, with the island been owned by the Carnival Corporation (owner of the Princess Cruises brand).
The resort is a water lovers paradise with lots on offer including a crystal clear sea, banana boats, paddle boating, kayaking, snorkelling, wave runners and parasailing.
If all of that sounds like too much effort, there is lots of opportunities to find a quiet spot on the beautiful sandy beaches found through the resort to simply relax and enjoy some time on land before re-boarding your ship.
Harvest Caye (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Harvest Caye is one of the regions newer private islands having opened in 2016 for the use of NCL, Oceania and Regent passengers on cruises of the Western Caribbean.
Owned by the Belize government, the island has its own pier so ships can dock to allow passengers to easily walk on and off the ship all day to enjoy the many attractions awaiting including the likes of massive swimming complexes, sandy beaches and lots of luxury touches including private cabanas and beachfront villas.
Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line)
Formally known as Gorda Cay, the island is another that is located in the Bahamas but it is arguably the most famous of all of the islands on this list as it has been used in a number of films including Pirates of the Caribbean and in the Tom Hanks film, Splash.
Disney have spent lots over the years to rebuild and improve the island to where you feel more like you are in a Disney theme park rather than a luxury island in the Caribbean.
As is the Disney way, the more money you have and spend, the better treatment you receive and the more option become open to you.
Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line)
Also known as Little San Salvador Island and formally owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Half Moon Cay is another island that makes up the archipelago of the Bahamas.
Now owned by Holland America Line, the island is lacking in a deep-water port, so visitors will have to tender.
Once on the island, there are lots of options for visitors to enjoy with everything from scuba diving, jet-skiing, cycling, snorkelling, parasailing, kayaking, basketball, volleyball, horse riding and even nature trails available.
Catalina Island (Costa Cruises)
This island is another owned by the Carnival Corporation but this time it is for the use of passengers onboard Costa Cruises branded ships.
Unlike many of the other islands on this list, Catalina Island is secluded and designed for peace and relaxation found amongst the crystal clear water and white sandy beaches of this Dominican Republic owned island.
Ocean Cay (MSC Cruises)
Build as a Marine Reserve, the island of Ocean Cay is built for luxury and to give you the sense of been at a beach resort but if you can drag yourself away from the crystal clear waters and the white sandy beaches, there is lots more on offer.
Open to guest of the Italian line MSC, Ocean Cay offers shows, restaurants, bars and the chance to take excursions.
The Beach Club at Bimini (Virgin Voyages)
Lots of style but little substance will leave you in no doubt that this is the private island of Virgin Voyages where guests can spend, spend and spend before getting back on board there ship after a day sun lounging or swimming.
