Published on 05/20/09

Sail away and retreat to the soft sandy beaches of a private island! Cruise lines offer itineraries with a bounty of popular, beautiful ports-of-call, but many also offer guests their own private island as an ever desirable destination.

Visiting a private island is a bit like taking your cruise ship experience onshore. On these private oases, guests can enjoy relaxing on their ‘own’ beach, an oceanside cabana massage, horseback riding, snorkeling in coral reefs, jet skiing and various water sports, parasailing, and more. The friendly cruise ship staff basically transports the ship’s services onto the island, therefore shopping, bar tabs, and dining can be conveniently charged to shipboard accounts.

America’s Vacation Center customers wishing for the tranquil, one-of-a-kind private experience are able to select from several private islands owned by some of the most notable cruise lines:

• CocoCay is Celebrity Cruises’ and Royal Caribbean’s secluded island in the heart of the Caribbean. Tepid waters make the island ideal for water activities from snorkeling to the ‘SeaTrek Aqua Park’ that is actually in the ocean! Guests also enjoy the straw markets, glass bottom boat tours, a replica of Blackbeard’s pirate ship, and more.

   

• Cayo Levantado is MSC Cruises’ featured private island off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Cruise travelers can hike through the natural rainforests and whale watch on the intimate stretch of land surrounded by the crystal clear Caribbean waters.

   

• Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Lines' (NCL) unspoiled paradise of white beaches, coconut palms, neon-colored fish, and coral reefs situated along the Northwest Providence Channel in the Bahamas. NCL was the first cruise line to offer guests an uninhabited, private tropical island where you can snooze in a hammock, dance the limbo, barbecue on the beach, and more.

   

• Half Moon Cay is Holland America’s pristine private island in the Bahamas. With everything you need for a day of play, including an interior lagoon, cabanas with butler service, and adventurous shore excursions such as kayaking, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing, Half Moon Cay is a spectacular paradise.

   

• Located on the North Coast of Haiti is the island of Labadee, one of Celebrity Cruises’ and Royal Caribbean’s two private islands. Surrounded by tropical forests and mountain slopes, Labadee feels very private and its secluded coves, five spectacular beaches, and nature trails are extremely tranquil. Powerboats, floating trampolines, iceberg shaped slides, and water seesaws are available for guests who want to play in the island’s warm sunshine.

   

• Princess Cruises’ private island, Princess Cays, is located in the Bahamas and offers something for every member of the family from a special area dedicated to children’s activities to beachside bars for adults. Guests can float in the crystal clear waters, join in a basketball game, check out paddle wheelers and sailboats, and attend the authentic Bahamian beach barbeque.

   

• Discover Castaway Cay, Disney Cruises’ magical private island paradise in the Bahamas. Perfect for families, the island has beaches and activities for every age. You can climb the ropes of the aquatic playground, lounge by the turquoise waters at ‘Serenity Bay’, interact with stingrays at ‘Ray’s Stingray Adventure’, and more.

   

Cruise lines’ private islands are a great place to escape crowds and relax and play in an environment completely customized to cater to you! Call America’s Vacation Center today learn more about cruise itineraries with unique private islands, and book your dream cruise vacation!

For more information, call 1-888-447-8459 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an AVC Personal Vacation Planner today!