One of the most frequent stops for 3 and 4 night cruises is to the cruise line’s private island. Opinions are mixed about these islands. They’re uninhabited except for cruisers and cruise line staff. Everything that exists there was built there solely for the use of cruisers. This gives them the air of theme parks, but for adults: beaches, buffets, and bars with a daycare so adults can give their full attention to having fun. With the exception of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, they lack the organic lived-in feel that makes Caribbean ports so colorful.
On the other hand, they pack a heck of a lot of fun into easy walking distance. They have everything needed to make a truly fun day at the beach. The private islands are also safer than some Caribbean ports, some of which do have crime problems. So if you want a cruise vacation that is free from worry, and enjoyed on the beach with a mojito in your hand, then a stop at a private island is probably what you’re looking for.
Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay is the private island that’s been around the longest. Norwegian Cruise Lines bought the northern portion of the island to use as a cruise resort in 1977. It had a storied history even before then though.
In its time, Great Stirrup Cay has been a pirate haven, an outpost of the British Empire, a US military base, and a satellite tracking outpost. The remnants of this past can be seen in its lighthouse, which was built in 1863 and is today still functioning, and runs off of solar power. The remnants of the military base and tracking station can be seen to the south. The grave marker of a Captain Bertram of the British Royal Navy is located on the main beach, and he lends his name to Bertram’s Bar which offers a complimentary island BBQ lunch.
On a related note we may have discovered a haunted location if you’re interested in cruising this Halloween.
Great Stirrups Cay’s other attractions include the beach and waterfront activities like snorkeling and paddle boarding. Beach Cabanas are available for rent. The kids will enjoy the 40-foot waterslide which Norwegian claims is the world’s largest (Royal Caribbean debates this), and the splash academy. Great Stirrup Cay is a destination to consider for both Port Canaveral cruisers, and those who aren’t afraid of British ghosts.
Harvest Caye
Norwegian is also nearing completion on a new private island project. Harvest Cay in the Western Caribbean, off the southern coast of Belize. Originally scheduled to open in February the island now won’t be receiving cruisers until November of 2016. Promised features include a marina, island village, and a lagoon for water sports.
There isn’t much that can be said before it opens. Harvest Cay doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page at this juncture.
Coco Cay
We’ve written about Coco Cay before, and if you want an in-depth description you’ll want to read that article. A Royal Caribbean private island, located east of Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay, and also lays claim to having the world’s largest inflatable water slide. The two are close enough that a strong swimmer could cross the channel to make the comparison. Although we don’t recommend that.
Coco Cay is a newer development, although only slightly. The island was leased in 1985 by Admiral Cruise Lines and passed to Royal Caribbean when they bought admiral in 1988. Coco Cay offers cruisers an amazing day at with all the activities, food, and beverages people could want, and a selection of beaches.
Half Moon Cay
Carnival Cruise Lines doesn’t have a private island to call its own.
Instead, Carnival owns Holland America Lines, and Carnival’s ships make calls at it’s sister cruise line’s private island. Half Moon Cay has been a destination for cruisers since 1996, and since Holland America is one of the oldest names in ocean passenger service, having existed since 1873, Half Moon Cay is a little different from the other private islands and very different from what you may expect from a Carnival Cruise.
One of the features of Half Moon Cay is a church on the beach. Which is perfect for a wedding cruise, and there is a dedicated ice cream parlor, which is a change from the bar or restaurant and bar found on ship and shore during most cruises. Of special note is the horseback riding. If you have ever pictured yourself riding a galloping horse along a sandy shore and through a froth of sea foam, then Half Moon Cay is a place you’ll want to visit.
Carnival ships have recently started calling more regularly at Half Moon Cay. The Valor sails out of Port Canaveral and makes Half Moon Cay a regular stop on its 4 and 5 night Bahama Cruises.
Castaway Cay
If private islands are the cruise lines challenge to theme parks on land, then Castaway Cay is Disney picking up the gauntlet and throwing it back. Disney World is a part of a complete childhood across the globe, and where Castaway Cay differs from Disney’s parks on land is that it’s attractions are more evenly targeted towards both adults and kids.
There are three different beaches for instance. A family beach that can be used by families. One that is reserved for those who’ve booked Cabanas. Finally, the appropriately named Serenity Beach is reserved for adults only.
The unique feature of the island is the atmosphere. The whole island has been made to look as if it was built from pieces salvaged from ships, and two of the semi-submersibles from the Disney World 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride have found their way to the lagoon here, giving snorkelers something to look at. They’re nice touches that can help give cruisers a sense of something more.
Casting Off
With the exception of Harvest Caye, which as of writing hasn’t opened yet, all of these islands are located in the Bahamas. Which places them conveniently close to Florida’s east coast cruise ports. Visiting the private islands is actually fairly routine, and most cruises that make a port call in the Bahamas will make a call at their line’s private island. Where these private islands really excel is in packing a ton of activities for you the cruiser into a day or two stay, or maybe not. There is nothing saying that you can’t spend all day in lounge chair if you like.
Cruises to these private islands near the Bahamas are usually 3 and 4 days long and budget friendly! They can be enjoyed over the course of a long weekend. That’s why they’re favorites among locals who live close to Port Canaveral. If you’re not a local, booking a hotel near Port Canaveral is highly recommended. Go Port offers Fly Snooze Cruise or Snooze Park and Cruise hotel packages to take care of your needs onshore.
Recommend 
