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YOUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND

When it comes to different ports of call around the world, perhaps none are more unique than the so-called “private islands” many cruise lines have developed over the years. These pleasingly private oasis have become a very popular addition to itineraries, with passengers enjoying their “own” beach, activities such as parasailing to ocean-side cabana massages, dining, and much more. Without a town or typical shore excursions, it’s somewhat like bringing the cruise ship experience ashore--and that’s appealing to both veteran and first-time cruisers.

Many major lines now offer varied one-day private island experiences on certain itineraries. Private island calls are often included in Caribbean sailings out of Florida, with the blissful days scheduled the day after sailing or the last day of the cruise (many of the islands are in The Bahamas and close to South Florida). In fact, Disney’s private island experience, Castaway Cay, proved so popular, the line began offering some sailings with a stop at both the beginning and the end of select cruises.

With line-specific options, the general concept and experience with private islands is similar. Calls are generally around eight hours in length, and ships typically anchor offshore and tender to the island (Disney did build it’s own dock, but they’re the exception). Once ashore, passengers enjoy beaches, activities, entertainment, bars, and dining, with cruise line staff members basically transporting the ship’s services onto the island. Bar and shopping expenses can normally be charged to shipboard accounts. Island facilities are generally handicapped-accessible and typically include trams for transportation, paved pathways, and wheelchairs with umbrellas and balloon tires for use on the sand.

Princess

The concept of private island experiences actually began with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) back in the late-1970s. The line’s purchase and development of the Bahamian island of Great Stirrup Cay created a stir in the cruise industry that still has ripple effects.

Most private islands offer white-sand beaches; majestic palms and other tropical vegetation, and calm crystal-clear waters with an abundance of marine life inhabiting surrounding colorful coral reefs.

Since 1992, Princess passengers have enjoyed the private paradise called Princess Cays. Situated on the southern tip of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, the 40-acre complex includes a pristine one-and-a-half mile beach, three bars, a tasty beachside barbecue lunch at two pavilions, and shopping at Tropical Treasures.

Watersports at Princess Cays is typical of private-island offerings, with sailboats, catamarans, paddleboats, kayaks, banana boats, snorkeling, and scuba diving all in the mix. At the beach, reggae and calypso music set the mood for relaxation while children head to Pelican’s Perch, a supervised play area complete with a replica galleon and a sand playground.

Holland America

Holland America’s Half Moon Cay debuted in late-1997 to rave reviews that have continued for more than a decade. The 65-acre complex was built on the 2,400-acre uninhabited Bahamian island of Little San Salvador, which is located less than 100 miles southeast of Nassau. It is a very popular stop on many Holland America itineraries sailing out of Florida, as well as longer sailings out of Norfolk, VA and New York.

The “half moon” name has two sources: the island’s stunning crescent-shaped white-sand beach and the name of Henry Hudson’s ship, hich is also part of Holland America’s logo. The beach is definitely a natural highlight, but the rest of the island is as well--the Bahamian National Trust has designated much of the island a wild bird reserve that includes more than 10,000 sooty terns, 200 pairs of roseate terns, and lots of noddy terns, shearwaters, and Bahamian pintails. The Bahamian Village includes shops and lots of facilities, with a Bahamian-style chapel a popular spot for weddings and renewal of vows ceremonies. The Tropics Restaurant is a huge, buffet-style operation with 15 open-air dining shelters.

Most recently, the cay's over-the-water 1,620-square-foot Private Oasis was built to accommodate groups of up to 25 people seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. Features include a full wet bar and refrigerator; in iPod music system; a massage table; an indoor teak dining table with seating for six; men’s and women’s changing rooms; indoor and outdoor showers; outdoor teak lounges and bar stools accommodating 12; a large covered deck with an eight-person hot tub; and a water slide.

“The [regular size] beach cabanas book up so rapidly that there are waiting lists for them on most Caribbean cruises,” says Richard Meadows, Holland America's executive vice president of marketing, sales, and guest programs. “Holland America Line recognized the need for a larger cabana experience accommodating more people--especially as we have an increasing number of small-group, multi-family, and reunion cruisers.”

Grand Turk Cruise Center, a Holland America port of call with a distinct private island feel, welcomed its first cruise ship in 2006. The island is the capital of the Turks and Caicos, which have been a separate Crown Colony of Great Britain since 1973.

The 13-acre complex that makes up the Cruise Center is anchored by the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville-themed bar and restaurant. Here, visitors can enjoy food, varied tropical beverages, music, lots of live entertainment and games, and the large adjacent pool (including a swim-up bar and cabanas).

As expected, there’s also lots of shopping opportunities and a stunning 800-foot white-sand beach with clear water, lots of lounge chairs and a great view of the docked cruise ships. Also available are a bevy of shore excursions on the six-mile-long island, including watersports, biking and hiking, island tours, and horseback riding.

Disney

As can be expected, Disney Cruise Line did things a little differently when it came to opening its private island concept back in 1998. Disney Imagineers developed the island, Castaway Cay, much like the line’s two ships--Disney Wonder and Disney Magic--with activities and areas for every age group.

Activities for the entire family include a huge family beach area with lots of lounge chairs and hammocks; a lagoon with a water-based jungle gym; lots of watersports; walking and kayaking tours; and a new Stingray Adventure program for children age five and older. Children ages 3 to 17 can choose from various water-based games and sporting activitiees designed specifically for different age groups.

But one of the most popular Castaway Cay attractions is adults-only. Located almost a mile from the main family beach, Serenity Beach is an exclusive stretch of sand just for grownups. Highlights include lots of beach space, massage cabanas, and a separate bar and lunch buffet .

Barb Nefer likes the Disney cruise and private island experience so much that she’s been on 58 cruises and has visited Castaway Cay an incredible 58 times.

“For us it’s truly a private oasis," Nefer said. Disney created the embodiment of everyone’s fantasy of what the perfect tropical paradise would be. I always love how Disney keeps changing and improving the island.”

Her insider tips for Castaway Cay: Empty hammocks can typically be found around Heads Up Bar; the expanded bike path makes for a great island tour on two wheels; and adults-only Serenity Beach lives up to its name.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is the only line with two private islands for their passengers. The first is CocoCay, which is a 140-acre island in the Berry Islands of The Bahamas, once known as Little Styrup Cay.

CocoCay features three sandy beaches, lots of palm-shaded hammocks, a nature trail, a straw market, several bars, and buffet dining. In keeping with Royal Caribbean’s reputation as a cruise line for active people, there are lots of recreational opportunities involving waverunners, parasailing, banana boats, paddleboats, kayaking, a glass-bottom boat, and more. The island’s Caylana’s Aqua Park is particularly popular with children and includes a unique floating sand castle.

Royal Caribbean’s Labadee isn’t technically a private island--it was actually “discovered” by Columbus back in 1492 and was long used as a trading post for visiting ships. Located on a wooded peninsula about six miles from Cap Haitien on the mountainous and secluded northern coast of Haiti, today, Labadee has been turned it into a private paradise.

Labadee includes five beaches, hammocks, nature trails, open-air dining and bars, Haitian folkloric shows, a historic site called Nellie’s Place, a native marketplace, and even some secluded coves. Various watersports offerings are augmented by the Dragon’s Flight Zip Line, which runs 4,000 feet over the water of Dragon’s Tail Beach. Labadee’s Arawak Aqua Park has floating trampolines, water slides, water see-saws, and a rolling log.

Regent Seven Seas

The upscale line of Regent Sevens Seas Cruises took private islands to another level--and location--when it opened the “islet” Motu Mahana in French Polynesia. Enclosed in a common lagoon with Raiatea and accessible only by boat, the island of Taha’a is the only one in the Society Islands that can be completely circled by ship inside the protected lagoon. Among a band of islets on the reef that surrounds Taha’a is Regent’s Motu Mahana.

Regent's private island experience extends the luxurious amenities found on board. The possibilities along the powdery white volcanic-sand beach include a beachside barbecue lunch; a floating bar; snorkeling, kayaking, and other watersports; massages; and performances by the Gaugines, a troupe that combines Polynesian storytelling and dancing. Motu Mahana is a purely Polynesian take on the private island experience that had become so popular in the Caribbean.

Planning Your Trip

These private island experiences aren’t limited to passengers with the lines covered above. Several of the lines rent the islands to other lines when they don’t have their own ships there. AAA Travel consultants can easily verify if a private island experience is included on specific itineraries. For more information, contact your local AAA Travel Agency office or visit AAA.com.