The entire information to cruise line personal islands, what’s integrated and what’s going to value you additional when visiting those unique Caribbean locations
The Caribbean cruise trade has passed through a exceptional transformation lately, with primary cruise strains making an investment billions of kilos in creating unique personal islands and sea coast locations. Those resort-style stories, obtainable solely via cruise ships, have transform one of the crucial maximum expected stops on Caribbean itineraries. However what precisely is integrated to your cruise fare whilst you consult with those tropical paradises?
From Royal Caribbean’s action-packed Best Day at CocoCay to Disney’s family-friendly Castaway Cay, every cruise line takes a distinct solution to their personal island enjoy. Working out what’s integrated and what comes at an extra value permit you to price range correctly and set life like expectancies on your Caribbean cruise vacation.
The Primary Gamers: Who Operates Non-public Islands?
More than one cruise strains have established unique Caribbean locations, starting from fully-owned personal islands to partnership preparations with native governments. Royal Caribbean Global operates Best Day at CocoCay, a 140-acre Bahamian island that includes North The us’s tallest waterslide and in depth waterparks. Disney Cruise Line manages two locations: the normal Castaway Cay and the more recent Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level on Eleuthera.
Norwegian Cruise Line operates Nice Stirrup Cay within the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize, while Holland The us Line owns Part Moon Cay, a 2,400-acre island that has received “Best possible Non-public Island” from Porthole Cruise Mag for 20 consecutive years. MSC Cruises reworked a former business web site into Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, making an investment £160 million in environmental recovery.
The most recent addition is Carnival Cruise Line‘s Birthday party Key on Grand Bahama Island, which opened in July 2025 as a £480 million challenge spanning 379 acres. Princess Cruises operates Princess Cays on Eleuthera, while Virgin Voyages maintains The Seaside Membership at Bimini via a partnership association.
What’s If truth be told Integrated: The Complete Breakdown
Royal Caribbean – Best Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean units the gold same old for integrated facilities at their personal island vacation spot. Cruise passengers obtain complimentary get entry to to sea coast chairs, umbrellas, and towels in any respect 3 seashores, plus limitless use of the island’s tram provider. The spectacular water options integrated to your cruise fare surround the Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool, Splashaway Bay kids’s waterpark, and Captain Jill’s Galleon pirate send for more youthful kids.
Eating choices are in depth and entirely integrated, with Skipper’s Grill and Kick back Grill buffet eating places, two Snack Shack places serving sizzling canines, burgers, hen sandwiches, fries, and salads, plus muffins together with brownies, cookies, and contemporary fruit. Further complimentary actions come with sea coast volleyball courts, South Seaside Sports activities Court docket, make a choice health categories, and Wi-Fi get entry to for visitors with send web programs.
Listed here are the specifics:
Complimentary Seaside Get admission to & Facilities
- Seaside chairs, umbrellas, and towels in any respect seashores
- Complimentary tram provider right through the island
- 3 gorgeous seashores with complete get entry to
- Converting rooms, lockers, and showers
- Seaside get entry to wheelchairs to be had
Unfastened Water Options
- Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool with swim-up get entry to
- Splashaway Bay kids’s waterpark with slides and drenching buckets
- Captain Jill’s Galleon pirate send water characteristic for more youthful kids
Integrated Eating
- Skipper’s Grill and Kick back Grill buffet eating places
- Two Snack Shack places with sizzling canines, burgers, hen sandwiches, fries, and salads
- Muffins together with brownies, cookies, and contemporary fruit
- 5 eating outposts overall integrated in cruise fare
Further Unfastened Actions
- South Seaside Sports activities Court docket and make a choice health categories
- Seaside volleyball courts
What’s NOT integrated?
- Alcoholic beverages – until you will have an onboard beverages bundle
- Web get entry to is chargeable until you will have an onboard VOOM bundle
- The Thrill Waterpark is a paid improve
- Scorching air balloon rides
- Shore tours and actions (zip lining, parasailing and so forth)
- Cabanas and daybeds
- Get admission to to the Coco Seaside Membership
- Get admission to to the adults-only Hideaway Seaside house
Disney Cruise Line – Castaway Cay: Circle of relatives Paradise
Disney’s method specializes in complete kin facilities with outstanding eating choices. All sea coast apparatus together with chairs, umbrellas, and hammocks are complimentary at each kin and adults-only seashores. The island options 3 all-you-can-eat barbeque eating places: Cookie’s BBQ, Cookie’s Too BBQ, and Serenity Bay BBQ, serving hamburgers, veggie burgers, sizzling canines, beef ribs, hen sandwiches, aspects, and muffins.
Distinctive to Disney, visitors experience limitless ice cream from self-service machines right through the day, plus complimentary comfortable beverages together with water, Coca-Cola, Nutrition Coke, Sprite, lemonade, and sports activities beverages. Actions come with the Pelican Plunge waterslides, Castaway Cay 5K run/stroll, and Disney persona meet-and-greets with Mickey and Minnie in sea coast apparel.
Right here’s the specifics:
Complimentary sea coast facilities
- Seaside chairs, umbrellas, and hammocks at each kin and adults-only seashores
- Seaside towels supplied
- Restrooms, showers, and converting spaces
- Seaside wheelchairs to be had
Unfastened eating
- 3 all-you-care-to-eat barbeque eating places: Cookie’s BBQ, Cookie’s Too BBQ, and Serenity Bay BBQ. The menu contains hamburgers, veggie burgers, sizzling canines, beef ribs, hen sandwiches, aspects, and muffins
- Unfastened ice cream from self-service machines all day
- Complimentary comfortable beverages together with water, Coca-Cola, Nutrition Coke, Sprite, lemonade, and sports activities beverages
Integrated actions
- Pelican Plunge waterslides
- Castaway Cay 5K run/stroll (nearly each crusing)
- Disney persona meet-and-greets with Mickey and Minnie in beachwear
- Snorkelling with supplied lifestyles vests (tools apartment additional)
What’s NOT integrated?
- Tours and stories (together with stingray encounters, parasailing, deep sea fishing and so forth)
- Snorkelling tools apartment (£25-£25 in line with individual)
- Bicycle apartment (£15-£25 in line with individual)
- Aqua trikes, paddleboards, kayaks and so forth (£10-£20 every)
- Cabanas (beginning round £760) or grand cabanas (£1,085+) even though those costs do come with motorbike apartment, snorkel tools, beverages, snacks and extra.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Canned comfortable beverages
- Massages
- Lockers (£8-£12 in line with day)
- Spa remedies and massages
- Island-exclusive souvenirs, products and postmarked stamps
MSC Cruises – Ocean Cay Marine Reserve: Eco-Mindful Luxurious
MSC’s environmentally restored vacation spot gives get entry to to seven distinct seashores with complimentary chairs and umbrellas. The integrated Seakers Meals Court docket buffet serves Caribbean and American classics, barbeque, salads, and kids’s choices, supplemented through 4 meals vans providing hamburgers, sizzling canines, and grab-and-go pieces.
Conventional tram provider supplies island transportation, while Wi-Fi get entry to and send drink programs stay legitimate right through the vacation spot.
Take a look at our Whole Information to MSC Cruises Beverages Programs to find how it’s essential carry your Ocean Cay enjoy.
Right here’s the specifics:
Seaside Get admission to & Amenities
- Seven distinct seashores with unfastened get entry to
- Seaside chairs and umbrellas to be had
- Converting rooms, showers, and restrooms
- Seaside wheelchairs for mobility-impaired visitors
Integrated eating
- Seakers Meals Court docket buffet with Caribbean and American classics, barbeque, salads, and kid-friendly choices
- 4 complimentary meals vans serving hamburgers, sizzling canines, and grab-and-go pieces
- Conventional tram provider for island transportation
Further facilities
- Wi-Fi get entry to (send web programs paintings on island)
- Drink programs from send legitimate in any respect 10 island bars
- Air-conditioned buying groceries spaces for respite
- Circle of relatives leisure and youngsters’ actions
What’s NOT integrated?
- Water sports activities and leases (together with jet ski excursions)
- Tours
- Non-public cabanas, top class umbrellas, daybeds or clamshells
- Alcoholic and comfortable beverages – until you will have an onboard beverages bundle
- Spa remedies
- Speciality meals vans, top class coffees or ice cream parlours
- Reviews (lighthouse climb, stargazing and so forth)
- Locker apartment
- Retail buying groceries
NOTE: Those exclusions additionally practice to Yacht Membership visitors
Princess – Princess Cays: Just right price for bundle holders
Princess operates Princess Cays at the southern tip of Eleuthera island within the Bahamas, that includes 40 acres with over a mile of white-sand seashores. Not like many islands operated through cruise strains, Princess Cays has been left in large part untouched, making it splendid for snorkelers and nature lovers. This vacation spot is shared with Carnival Cruise Line ships and has been welcoming visitors since 1992.
What’s integrated?
Seaside Get admission to & Facilities
- Over one mile of white-sand seashores
- Unfastened sea coast chairs and elementary facilities
- Complimentary barbeque buffet lunch served 11:30 AM to one:30 PM
- 4 strategically positioned bars around the island, all beverages integrated with Princess’ onboard programs
NOTE: Carnival visitors visiting Princess Cays must acquire alcoholic beverages – they’re NOT integrated in onboard beverages bundle allowances
Take a look at our Whole Information to Princess Cruises Beverages Programs to find how it’s essential carry your personal island enjoy at Princess Cays.
Integrated amenities
- Paved walkways connecting all spaces (just right information for scooter customers!)
- Adults-only Sanctuary house for 18+ visitors
- Princess MedallionNet Wi-Fi for Princess visitors with the related WiFi bundle
- Smooth pier get entry to with organised transportation
Unfastened eating
- Buffet contains barbeque favourites, salads, and native specialties
- Complimentary drinks throughout meal provider
What’s NOT integrated?
- Tours
- Watersports (together with snorkel apartment, kayaking, glass-bottomed boat excursions dune buggy excursions and so forth)
- Clamshells, daybeds, bungalows, top class umbrellas and so forth
- Speciality stories like stingray encounters and boat cruises
- Snack pieces or boxed lunches outdoor the buffet
- Locker leases
- Souvenirs and items
Norwegian – Nice Stirrup Cay
Norwegian has spent tens of millions of greenbacks refining and lengthening their Nice Stirrup Cay lodge. Opening in overdue 2025, there’s an all new pier, expanded water park and an adults-only ‘Vibe Shore Membership’.
Right here’s what’s integrated to your fare as same old:
Seaside & Pool Get admission to
- Unfastened sea coast chairs and elementary facilities
- New heated pool as a part of Nice Lifestyles Lagoon enlargement
- Splash Harbor complimentary splash pad with interactive water options
- Complimentary loungers round pool spaces
Integrated actions
- Island-wide tram provider for transportation
- Over-the-water swings for pictures and rest
- Nature trails for exploring
Unfastened eating
- Complimentary noon beachside BBQ
- Conventional barbeque buffet lunch integrated in cruise fare
- Meals truck serving ‘island bites’
- Two swim-up bars (Reef Bar and Waves Bar). Your onboard beverages bundle covers beverages prices
What’s NOT integrated?
- Watersports leases (snorkelling, paddle forums, jet skis and so forth)
- Tours equivalent to stingray encounters, zip line journey (from $110 in line with grownup), boat excursions and so forth
- Cabanas, villas and clamshells
- Get admission to to the adults-only Vibe Shore Membership
- Spa remedies
- Souvenirs
- Bottled water, power beverages or Starbucks – even supposing you will have a beverages bundle you’ll nonetheless need to pay
Norwegian – Harvest Caye
Any other personal island vacation spot utilized by NCL is Harvest Caye. Underneath the phrases of possession agreed with the federal government of Belize, the island will have to be run to profit the native financial system.
Because of this nearly not anything past sea coast get entry to is integrated to your fare.
What’s If truth be told Unfastened
- Seaside chairs and elementary sea coast get entry to
- 15,000-square-foot resort-style pool with waterfall (pool get entry to solely)
- Strolling trails and nature sanctuary spaces
- Direct pier docking (no comfortable boats required)
What Prices Further (Not like Different Non-public Islands)
- All meals and drinks (be expecting to pay $12-18 in line with entrée, $9-12 in line with cocktail)
- All water sports activities apparatus
- All actions and tours
NOTE: Send beverage programs CANNOT be used at the island
Carnival Cruise Line – Birthday party Key
Carnival just lately opened Birthday party Key on Grand Bahama Island in July 2025, representing the cruise line’s first fully-developed personal vacation spot. The $600 million challenge spans 379 acres and contours 5 distinct spaces, together with an adults-only sea coast membership and family-friendly zones with water slides.
Carnival’s latest vacation spot employs a novel “Island Eats” programme, offering one complimentary meal credits in line with visitor at 14 other eateries. Choices come with burgers, hen tenders, sizzling canines, mac and cheese, falafel, and shawarma with fries and a biscuit.
The island options over 275,000 sq. toes of freshwater lagoons, together with the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon and adult-oriented Calypso Lagoon with DJ leisure.
Listed here are the specifics:
Unfastened Seaside & Pool Get admission to
- Starfish Lagoon (family-friendly freshwater lagoon)
- Calypso Lagoon (adult-friendly with DJ leisure)
- Over 275,000 sq. toes of freshwater lagoons mixed
- Starfish Seaside and Calypso Seaside with complimentary loungers and umbrellas
- 18+ adults-only phase of Calypso Lagoon
Island Eats Program
- One complimentary meal credits in line with visitor at 14 other eateries
- Choices come with burgers, hen tenders, sizzling canines, mac & cheese, falafel, shawarma with fries and cookie
- Complimentary water to be had right through the island
Shipping & facilities
- ADA-accessible carts and 14 trams with seating for as much as 12 other folks every
- Wi-Fi get entry to via Carnival Hub app
- Circle of relatives actions and are living leisure
What’s NOT integrated?
- ANY beverages except for iced water. Beverages programs don’t paintings at the island both. Beer, wine and comfortable beverages must be bought one by one at further value.
- Any further meals past your Island Eats credits
- Top rate eating at Pearl Cove Seaside Membership
- Suncastle waterslides
- Pearl Cove Seaside Membership from $100 in line with individual (adults solely)
- Daybeds, cabanas and leisure apparatus
- Locker apartment
Holland The us Line – Part Moon Cay
Holland The us Line’s Part Moon Cay, often referred to as RelaxAway (and Little San Salvador Island), is a shocking personal island sanctuary nestled within the Bahamas. This crescent-moon-shaped island gives pristine white-sand seashores, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and an array of serene lounging areas designed for easy rest. The island supplies an ideal mix of tranquil break out and adventurous actions, together with horseback using alongside the surf, kayaking via secure lagoons, and encounters with native marine lifestyles like stingrays.
Guests can experience numerous facilities, from sea coast golf equipment and shaded cabanas to scrumptious island-only eating choices such because the Lobster Shack and tropical barbeque. With paved pathways, tram transportation, and nature trails, Part Moon Cay invitations visitors to discover its herbal attractiveness, colourful flora and fauna, and vigorous leisure. Solely obtainable to Holland The us and make a choice Carnival cruise visitors, it guarantees an idyllic Caribbean retreat that blends luxurious, journey, and rest seamlessly.
What’s integrated?
Seaside get entry to
- Two miles of pristine white sand seashores
- Complimentary sea coast loungers, hammocks, and towels
- 700-acre saltwater lagoon get entry to
Transportation and amenities
- Unfastened tram provider connecting all spaces
- Smooth boat transportation from send to island
- Enhanced sea coast amenities and upgraded facilities
Further facilities
- Safe chook sanctuary get entry to for flora and fauna viewing
- Enhanced eating amenities and meals court docket
- Complimentary actions and herbal preservation house
What’s NOT integrated?
- Non-public cabanas and villas ($700+)
- Apparatus leases (snorkelling, kayaks, horse using, paddle forums and so forth)
- Locker apartment
- Tours (stingray encounters, tram excursions, guided walks and so forth)
- Alcoholic drinks – beverages programs DO NOT paintings at the island
- Speciality eating, equivalent to The Lobster Shack
- Souvenirs and buying groceries
Virgin Voyages – Seaside Membership at Bimini
Virgin Voyages’ Seaside Membership at Bimini gives an adults-only enjoy with complimentary beachside lunch that includes Caribbean flavours, get entry to to a lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar, and unfastened tram transportation from the send. Actions come with DJ-led leisure, dawn yoga, sea coast volleyball, and night bonfire occasions on make a choice sailings.
What’s integrated
- Non-public sea coast get entry to in unique cove
- Massive lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar get entry to
- Complimentary beachside lunch with Caribbean flavors
- Hammocks, loungers, and sea coast chairs
- Unfastened tram transportation from send (15-20 minute journey)
- Soda and water at designated stations
Integrated actions
- DJ-led leisure and pool events
- Dawn yoga and beachside meditation
- Seaside volleyball and wellness actions
- Night time bonfire occasions on make a choice sailings
What’s no longer integrated
- All alcoholic drinks, even though you’ll be able to use pre-loaded drink credit (Bar Tab).
- Non-public cabanas
- Towels (even though you’ll be able to convey your personal from the send)
- Shore tours (like shark snorkelling, dolphin safaris and scuba diving)
- Spa services and products
What Usually Prices Further Throughout All Islands
Top rate Actions and Reviews
Maximum personal islands fee further charges for exciting actions and top class stories. At Best Day at CocoCay, the Best Circle of relatives Suite cabanas value additional, as do the Thrill Waterpark (that includes the Daredevil’s Height waterslide), zip-lining, and helium balloon rides. Snorkelling apparatus, jet skis, and parasailing usually incur further fees throughout all locations.
Upgraded Lodging and Eating
Non-public cabanas, beachside massages, and spa remedies command top class costs at nearly all personal islands. Uniqueness eating venues past the integrated buffets steadily require reservations and further cost. At Castaway Cay, motorbike leases, snorkelling tools, and parasailing value additional, while Ocean Cay fees for watersports apparatus, distinctiveness eating, and top class bar provider.
Buying groceries and Souvenirs
All personal islands characteristic reward stores and memento stands with pieces no longer integrated in cruise fares. Those vary from standard sea coast products to cruise line-specific branded pieces and native crafts.
Budgeting Pointers for Non-public Island Days
To maximize price at personal island locations, focal point at the in depth complimentary choices sooner than bearing in mind paid actions. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, as many islands have restricted provides or fee top class costs. Arrive early to protected top sea coast places and make the most of complimentary actions sooner than afternoon crowds arrive. You may additionally need to take the towels out of your cabin, simply in case they don’t seem to be integrated in the associated fee.
For households, Disney’s Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean’s Best Day at CocoCay be offering essentially the most complete integrated stories, doubtlessly getting rid of the desire for added purchases. {Couples} in search of adults-only stories must believe Virgin Voyages’ Seaside Membership at Bimini, while budget-conscious travellers must method Norwegian’s Harvest Caye with warning because of its pay-per-item construction.
Our take
Even if we now have been to the Caribbean, neither folks is a beach-type individual. We’re a lot more keen on exploring new ports. Sitting on a sea coast getting salty and sandy isn’t a phenomenal proposition.
As such, personal islands actually don’t excite. And whilst you believe what number of of those stops require further spend, even for sodas, the extent of pastime drops additional nonetheless. All too steadily the solution to the query, ‘Non-public islands, what’s integrated?’ appears to be ‘a sea coast’.
However when you’re a sea coast individual, have at it. Simply you’ll want to permit slightly (lot) additional to your price range to hide the extra prices.
The Long run of Non-public Island Reviews
The cruise trade continues increasing personal island choices, with Royal Caribbean creating Royal Seaside Membership Paradise Island in Nassau and Best Day Mexico in Mahahual (scheduled for 2027). Those locations constitute the trade’s technique to offer unique, managed stories while producing further income streams and making sure passenger pride irrespective of climate or native stipulations.
Working out cruise line personal islands, what’s integrated and what kind of additional the entirety prices lets you make knowledgeable choices about their Caribbean vacations. From Disney’s all-inclusive kin paradise to Carnival’s credit-based device, every cruise line gives a definite solution to personal island stories. Through understanding what to anticipate and what calls for further spending you’ll be able to completely experience those unique Caribbean locations while staying inside of your vacation price range.
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