What Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?

There are some destinations and islands that are nearly synonymous with the cruising industry. Hundreds or even more than a thousand cruise ships can visit places like the Bahamas or the US Virgin Islands each year.

However, these top spots aren’t the only cruise line favorites. Industry-wide, cruise lines have begun crafting their own private destinations, where cruisers can enjoy carefully curated experiences and amenities, matching the cruise line’s branding and overall vibes.

Here are the cruise line private islands and destinations that you need to know about.

Half Moon Cay (Carnival Corp)

Owned by Carnival Corporation and thus visited by two of the corporation’s cruise lines — Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line — Half Moon Cay sits in the Bahamas, with 2,400 acres of space, including a two-mile beach. However, cruise passengers can only visit part of the island, at under 100 acres developed; the rest of the island is undisturbed nature.  

When the cruise lines’ took over the island in 1996, it was completely undeveloped, and more than $16 million was invested to bring it up to visitable standards. It opened as a port of call in late 1997. 

Of course, changes have been made to keep the private island current with today’s cruising standards. Most recently, Carnival Corp. announced major future renovations for the island, which will include a new pier capable of docking larger ships (currently, you have to tender at the island), an expanded beach, and new restaurants and bars. 

For now, though, featured activities include bookable shore excursions that range from snorkeling to kayaking, boat tours to nature treks; dining and drinking at restaurants and bars; spa services; shopping at the market; playing at the waterpark; and just chilling in your cabana or on the beach.

Princess Cays (Carnival Corp)

Also owned by Carnival Corporation, Princess Cays is used by both Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Princess Cays isn’t really its own island, like Half Moon Cay, though; instead, it’s a private resort area on the island of Eleuthera, in the Bahamas. 

Opened in 1992, the resort is 40 acres and features include a beach, dining, drinking and various bookable experiences, such as water sports, stingray encounters and tours. 

Most recently, Princess Cays received renovations in 2018, with new additions including WiFi service, refurbished retail and bar areas, shopping and general infrastructure. A new marina was also added, but you still have to tender to the resort.  

Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean)

Possibly the most well-known and recognizable of the cruise line private islands is Perfect Day at CocoCay. Owned by Royal Caribbean Group and used by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, CocoCay is a 125-acre, small island in the Bahamas, and it’s known for pushing the limits of what a private cruise line port of call can be (in true Royal Caribbean fashion!).

The island features a ton to do and see, including several record-breaking features or industry firsts. There’s the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, the first overwater cabanas in the Bahamas, the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean and the tallest waterslide in North America. Otherwise, there’s plenty of beach space, an adults-only area, bars and restaurants, broader water park, helium balloon rides and more.

The private island is relatively new in the realm of cruise line private islands, reopening in May 2019, so renovations have been minimal. In 2023, the adults-only area was newly added, for example. Ships can dock right at the island, with no need for tendering. 

Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Also in the Bahamas, the 268-acre Great Stirrup Cay is a Norwegian Cruise Line property, first developed in the 1970s. Since then, the cruise line has upgraded the private island multiple times. In 2017, it added new restaurants and bars and expanded beach areas, as well as villas and a spa.

Most recently, the cruise line announced it would add a two-ship pier, removing the need for tendering. The pier will open in late 2025, if all stays on track.

For now, you’ll still have to tender, but when you do get to the island, you can expect beach-bumming, organized entertainment and beach activities, live music, water sports rentals, a zip line and ropes course, spa treatments, dining, drinking and shopping. 

Harvest Caye (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line’s other private destination is Harvest Caye, but it’s not in the Bahamas, as all the other islands we’ve covered thus far have been. Instead, you’ll find this 75-acre destination in Belize.

It opened in 2016 and, as of 2023, very vague talks were in the works with the Belizean government to make some changes to the island, but those are rather unsubstantiated. 

For now, when you visit, you can expect a pier capable of accommodating cruise ships (so no tendering!), a shopping village, restaurants, bars, a wildlife sanctuary, terrarium, butterfly garden, and, of course, plenty of beach and pools. 

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (MSC Cruises)

Back in the Bahamas, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, owned by MSC Cruises, is the only private island marine reserve in the Bahamas. It’s technically an artificial island, and is just under 100 acres. Built in the 1960s, the cruise line took it over in 2015, with a $200 million upgrade investment.

Now, the cay offers seven beaches, a handful of food and drinks options, a lighthouse, spa, cabanas, a scuba diving center and an MSC Yacht Club exclusive space. 

The island started a small refresh in early 2024, with changes including the addition of a kids lagoon, the expansion of the MSC Yacht Club restaurant, larger bars at the beaches, a new food hall, a new marine conservation center and more. The renovations will continue through early 2025, but ships are still visiting the island. 

You may or may not have to tender to Ocean Cay, depending on when you arrive. When the pier is in use by another cruise ship, a second cruise ship will need to tender.

Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line)

One of two Disney Cruise Line private destinations, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 1997. It made waves as the first cruise line private island where tendering was not necessary.  

The island is about a thousand acres in size, but only around 50 of those acres are in use. Visitors enjoy access to water activities, sporting equipment rentals, spa services, dining, multiple beaches, cabanas and an adults-only space. Of course, Mickey and friends are also present, for all your Disney family photo ops.

Over the years, Castaway Cay has received some upgrades and enhancements, but nothing overly exciting. In 2014, for example, the island added more dining and cabanas. Reports from cruisers visiting the island as recently as late 2024 reported construction to add more cabanas once again. 

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Disney Cruise Line)

Disney Cruise Line’s newer private destination is Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. It’s not a full island, but is a private space situated on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.

The area was purchased in 2019 and Disney invested hundreds of millions in developing the peninsula, which measures in at approximately 700 acres (though nearly 200 acres have been designated a national park). 

Lookout Cay just opened in mid-2024. It offers a beach separated into family and adults-only areas, bars, buffets, a kid-specific water park/splash area, family entertainment, a cultural center, bicycle rentals, nature trails, cabanas and excursions. 

Do note that while you don’t need to tender at this destination, the pier is a half-mile-long, so you’ll have a bit of a hike between the ship and the actual land. 

Labadee (Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean Group’s Labadee is billed as a private island, but it’s actually a peninsula that’s part of Haiti. Historically visited by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara, the resort area, opened in 1980s, is a 260-acre property, with a two-berth pier (for no tendering!).

The area is highly guarded, and fenced off so that no locals can access it and no cruisers can leave, other than on the cruise ship. Despite this, there have been instances wherein Royal Caribbean has removed the destination from its itineraries, due to safety concerns. 

Renovated in 2009, the area offers several beaches, the largest zip-line over water, an alpine coaster, dining and a flea market. 

Cruise Line Beach Clubs

Some cruise lines don’t purchase an entire private island for their cruisers, or an expansive peninsula jutting out in the Caribbean. Instead, they go a little more low-key, such as with a smaller beach club. 

Such is the case with Virgin Voyages’ Bimini Beach Club, which is technically open to the public in the Bimini destination in the Bahamas, but closed off to the public whenever a Virgin Voyages ship is in port. Then, cruisers get exclusive access to the club. 

The ship won’t dock specifically at the club; instead, you’ll get off at the normal pier and then have to make your way through the destination to get to the beach club (don’t worry — there’s a tram for that). Think of the experience less like visiting a private island or peninsula and more like visiting a stand-alone resort while you’re in port.

Attractions at the beach club include multiple pools, a bar, restaurant and beach activities. A special area of the club is also set aside for suite guests. Excursions are available, as are cabanas. 

The 4.5-acre property opened just a few years ago, under the Virgin Voyages flag, with development announced in 2019. 

Upcoming Cruise Line Private Islands and Beach Clubs

Given the popularity of all of the above private islands and beach clubs, it’s no surprise that many cruise lines have even more offerings like these in the works.

Royal Caribbean Beach Club Paradise Island

This will be the first Royal Beach Club, taking the approach cruisers have loved at Perfect Day at CocoCay and scaling it down into the beach club setting.

The 17-acre property will be situated on Paradise Island, near Nassau, and will offer beach, pools, cabanas, dining, drinks, shopping and more. The beach club is expected to open in the summer of 2025.

Royal Caribbean Beach Club Cozumel

Another Royal Caribbean beach club is also in the works, in Cozumel, but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for it to arrive. It’s slated to open in 2026.

The beach club will offer multiple pools (for both families and adults-only), swim-up bars, beach space, private cabanas, a restaurant and lounge, market and excursions and experiences that range from snorkeling to tequila tastings. 

Perfect Day Mexico

Royal Caribbean is also mimicking its success with Perfect Day at CocoCay, but across the Caribbean, in Mexico. The new Perfect Day Mexico property will open in 2027, near Mahahual. While plans are still pretty vague, they include a waterpark, multiple pools, multiple beaches, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Celebration Key

Lastly, Celebration Key, a Carnival Cruise Line property, is anticipated to open in mid to late-2025. The port will be exclusively open to Carnival Cruise Line guests only (so no sharing with Holland America or Princess Cruises), but will not be a private island. Instead, the port and its surrounding resort will be located on Grand Bahama, near Freeport. 

The private space is 340 acres and will offer an expansive number of attractions. There’s a family-friendly area with a lagoon, waterslides, beach cabanas and sports courts. An adult-friendly space will feature cabanas as well, and a swim-up bar and restaurants. A retail area offers duty-free shopping, as well as local vendors. 

When it opens, the key will boast the newest largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean. Additionally, in total, the key will have more than 30 different venues for dining and drinking. 

After the property’s debut, an expanded pier is expected to be constructed as well, so that the key can eventually accommodate as many as 4 million guests per year.