Private Destinations
Islands and beach destinations that cruise lines own or operate, with who runs each one, which lines call there and whether ships dock or tender.
Every fact comes from the cruise line's own pages and links to its source. Cruise Learning Hub is independent and not affiliated with any cruise line. These destinations change often (new paid areas, renamed islands, weather can cancel a call), so confirm details before you quote them to a guest.








Perfect Day CocoCay
On the Cruise MapRoyal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, about 55 miles north of Nassau.
Royal Caribbean International · Celebrity Cruises
Good to know
- Before you go. Bring the SeaPass card (needed to leave/re-board the ship and to pay on the island) plus cash for the straw market; wear closed-toe shoes for the zip line. Hideaway Beach is 18+ and alcohol is 21+ everywhere on the island. Up, Up and Away balloon bookings are refunded if wind or weather cancels the flight. Per cruise line
Celebration Key
On the Cruise MapCarnival Cruise Line's private destination on the south side of Grand Bahama island, The Bahamas.
Carnival Cruise Line · Princess Cruises
Good to know
- Before you go. Bring Sail & Sign card, ID, credit card and a stateroom towel; onboard drink packages don't apply ashore; southwestern side of Calypso Lagoon and Beach is 13+; no outside food or drink. Per cruise line
Great Stirrup Cay
On the Cruise MapNorwegian Cruise Line's 270-acre private island in The Bahamas.
Good to know
- Before you go. Pre-book waterpark passes in MyNCL (up to two days before sailing); onboard availability may be limited. Bring sunscreen and room key card. Vibe Shore Club is adults-only (paid pass). Per cruise line
Disney Castaway Cay
On the Cruise MapDisney Cruise Line's private island in The Bahamas.
Good to know
- Adults-only beach and cabanas. Serenity Bay beach is reserved for adults 18 and older. Cabanas can be reserved when the booking window opens, subject to availability. The island post office mails letters with a Castaway Cay postmark. Per cruise line
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
On the Cruise MapDisney Cruise Line's island destination at Lighthouse Point on the southern tip of Eleuthera, The Bahamas.
Good to know
- Weather and walking. Swimming and other activities may be limited or unavailable due to weather, ocean currents or marine life. Wear comfortable walking shoes for the nature trail to the lighthouse. Serenity Bay is adults-only. Per cruise line
RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
On the Cruise MapPrivate island destination in The Bahamas shared by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line; renamed from Half Moon Cay to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (announced Dec. 10, 2024).
Holland America Line · Carnival Cruise Line · Princess Cruises
Good to know
- Before you go. No ATM ashore (use the ship's ATM); bring your ship card, a stateroom towel and some cash for the artisan market; no outside food or drink, glass, portable speakers or drones; Carnival's Cheers! drink package doesn't extend ashore. Per cruise line
- Pier and tenders. The new pier fits two ships at once; tender operations continue, so some ships still anchor offshore. Per cruise line
- Holland America side. Holland America ships tender. Its new Beach Club (day pass, first guests October 2026) includes priority tendering, waiter service and all-inclusive drinks; a new food pavilion serves a complimentary island-only menu. Per cruise line
- Beach Club price. Holland America's Beach Club costs $125 per guest plus a 20% service charge, booked like a shore excursion. Per cruise line
- Princess calls. Princess Cruises also calls (ships listed include Enchanted, Caribbean, Sun, Coral, Regal and Sky Princess). Princess Plus and Premier drinks are honored only on the side of the island (North or South) where your ship arrives. Per cruise line
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
On the Cruise MapMSC Cruises' private island in The Bahamas, part of the Bimini island group about 65 miles east of Miami; a former industrial site restored as a marine reserve.
Sources differ
MSC's Ocean Cay page says the island is 'accessible only to MSC Cruises guests', but Explora Journeys (MSC Group's luxury line) schedules calls there too, e.g. EXPLORA IV on Nov 19, 2027.MSC Ocean Cay page Explora journeyMSC Cruises · Explora Journeys
Good to know
- Before you go. Pre-book cabanas, beach chairs and excursions in the MSC for Me app, as they can sell out. Bring your cruise card (no cash or passport needed) and a stateroom towel. Premium Extra drink and Wi-Fi packages apply ashore. Overnight stays on select 4-night sailings. Per cruise line
- Coming next door. Sandy Cay, a separate luxury private island next to Ocean Cay for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests, is due to open in 2028. Per cruise line
- Explora Journeys calls. Explora Journeys, MSC Group's luxury line, calls on select Caribbean journeys, e.g. EXPLORA IV on Nov. 19, 2027 (09:00-21:00). Per cruise line
The Beach Club at Bimini
On the Cruise MapVirgin Voyages' private beach club in Bimini, The Bahamas, about 50 miles from Miami.
Good to know
- Paid lounging. Published starting prices: Bimini Lagoon (poolside) and Bimini Beach cabanas from $650; Mermaid Hideaway from $1,000. Prices can change. Per cruise line
- Mermaid Hideaway and VIP cabanas. Mermaid Hideaway: air-conditioned retreat with deck, $200 drink credit, service, and bocce and paddle ball. VIP cabanas: daybeds, stocked cooler, shade. Per cruise line
- RockStar area. RockStar suite guests get Richard's Retreat: a private indoor pavilion, outdoor terrace with full bar, private beach area and dedicated crew. Per cruise line
- Age policy. Virgin Voyages sailings are 18+. Per cruise line
- Before you go. Bring your Band (wearable) and a government-issued photo ID ashore. Per cruise line
Harvest Caye
On the Cruise MapNorwegian Cruise Line's 75-acre resort-style private island in southern Belize.
Norwegian Cruise Line · Oceania Cruises · Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Good to know
- Opening. Opened Nov. 17, 2016; Norwegian Dawn, sailing from New Orleans, made the first call. Per cruise line
- Shore excursions. NCL sells shore excursions here, including barrier reef snorkeling, the Flighthouse zip line, parasailing, river tubing, the Nim Li Punit Maya site and Monkey River. Prices vary by ship and sail date. Per cruise line
- Money and language. Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD); US dollars are widely accepted by shops and taxis. English is the local language. Per cruise line
- Regent guests. Regent Seven Seas includes a jungle river rafting excursion from Harvest Caye on Seven Seas Prestige (e.g. Sun, Sea & Salsa, Nov. 20, 2027). Per cruise line
Labadee
On the Cruise MapRoyal Caribbean's private destination on Haiti's northern coast, reserved for Royal Caribbean guests.
Good to know
- Drink packages. When calls resume, drink packages can be used ashore at Labadee; bring your SeaPass card for purchases. Per cruise line
Isla Tropicale (Mahogany Bay)
On the Cruise MapCarnival's cruise port destination on Roatán, Honduras. It opened in 2009 as Mahogany Bay and is now named Isla Tropicale.
Carnival Cruise Line · Princess Cruises · Holland America Line
Good to know
- What to bring. A beach towel from the stateroom, and a credit or debit card plus some cash for smaller vendors. Per cruise line
- No food from the ship. Food and drinks from the ship can't be brought ashore. Per cruise line
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
On the Cruise MapRoyal Caribbean's 17-acre beach club on the western end of Paradise Island, in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean International · Celebrity Cruises
Good to know
- Book ahead. Capacity varies by season, so book the day pass before the cruise. Per cruise line
- Bring ID. Guests need their SeaPass card and a government-issued ID when they leave the ship. Per cruise line
- Weather. If weather cancels the Nassau stop, the day pass is refunded to the onboard account. Per cruise line
Princess Cays
On the Cruise MapPrincess Cruises' private beach destination on Eleuthera, The Bahamas.
Princess Cruises · Carnival Cruise Line
Good to know
- Celebration Key. Princess starts calling at Carnival's Celebration Key on Grand Bahama from November 1, 2026. Per cruise line
- Bring cash for the market. There are no ATMs; purchases go on the ship card except at the cash-only Artisan Market. Per Princess Cays port (Carnival Corporation)