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What, for years, had been a manmade industrial wasteland about 20 miles south of Bimini is now an island teeming with new plant life and clean beaches. That includes two beach areas for families, complete with shallow water and a floating submarine attraction. Harvest Caye, Norwegian's second private island, opened in 2016, providing a plethora of outdoor activities for visitors. Also, unbeknownst to many, the island has a small post office where guests can mail postcards to friends and family back home — a fun and low-cost activity for everyone in your group. You can also treat your loved ones to something from the on-site souvenir shop or straw market.
Play in the Sand and Sea with the Kids at the Half Moon Cay Beach
On the south side of the resort you’ll find beach volleyball and a basketball court, perfect for a bit of exercise (or just watching a lively game). Cruisers have the opportunity to buy tickets to feed and interact with friendly stingrays at a cove near the tender dock, or try your hand at surf fishing just offshore. Here you’ll also find the burial site of two young local women who died on the island in the late 1940s.
CRUISE PORTS BY REGION
One of the main advantages of private islands is the control that cruise lines have over the guest experience. By owning and operating these destinations, cruise lines can curate the island to align with their brand and cater to the preferences and desires of their passengers. This includes creating stunning beaches, developing water sports facilities, and offering a variety of dining and entertainment options. Private islands have become a popular trend in the cruise industry, offering cruise lines a unique selling point and passengers an exclusive, secluded, and idyllic escape during their vacation.
Half Moon Cay: What you need to know about Carnival’s Private Island (
The island boasts three additional bars, including The Bell Bar and Rum Runners. There’s also beachside drinks service so you can enjoy a beer or cocktail without stepping foot off the sand. The guest experience on Carnival Cruise Line’s private islands is designed to be nothing short of exceptional. From the moment passengers step off the ship onto the island, they are greeted with a paradise-like setting and a multitude of activities and amenities to enjoy. As a responsible cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented various environmental and sustainability initiatives on its private islands. These efforts demonstrate the company’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecosystems of these pristine destinations for future generations to enjoy.
Bars on Princess Cays
Carnival Cruise Line shares news passengers will love - TheStreet
Carnival Cruise Line shares news passengers will love.
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The evolution of Carnival Cruise Line’s private islands reflects the desire of the company to provide its guests with unique and exclusive experiences. These destinations showcase the cruise line’s commitment to creating memorable vacations that go beyond the onboard experience. With the acquisition of Half Moon Cay, Carnival Cruise Line set out to create a unique and exclusive experience for its passengers. The island was transformed into a tropical paradise, featuring white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush greenery. It served as a private playground for cruise passengers, offering an array of activities and amenities. The Bahamas is teeming with idyllic private islands, some of which are only accessible via cruise ship.
Only Carnival's cruise guests will be able to vacation at this $500 million private resort — take a sneak peek
Guests booked in any bungalow also enjoy priority tendering to Princess Cays (tendering back to the ship is on a first come first served basis). The most important difference is that Sanctuary Bungalows are reserved for adults only (18 years and up), and they sit in a private roped-off area only accessible to ticketed guests. Each bungalow is equipped with a ceiling fan, a table and four chairs, and an outdoor shower. Your bungalow will be stocked with towels, two flotation rafts to use for the day, and a cooler full of soft drinks and water. Although there isn’t an exclusive dining venue for suite or Sanctuary Bungalow guests, anyone renting a bungalow also has the option to order a gourmet picnic lunch, delivered right to your door for an additional fee. You’ll also find complimentary self-serve drinks inside each buffet venue, including iced tea, lemonade, and water.
Things to do in Princess Cays
Despite the enviable vistas afforded by the multiple beaches and pools, some of the best views can be had from a ride on a tethered helium balloon that will take you 450 feet up in the air. The island's free buffets offer a selection of food at lunchtime, including hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, fruit and desserts, as well as drinks. It offers plenty of beach areas with loungers, including a family beach area, as well as private beach villas for cruisers booked in Norwegian's The Haven.
Carnival opens bookings for cruises visiting its new Bahamas destination - Orlando Sentinel
Carnival opens bookings for cruises visiting its new Bahamas destination.
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers
All the bungalows at Princess Cays are located on the far end of the main part of the resort, past the main beach area and North Beach. If you need assistance getting to and from your bungalow and the tender dock, crew members can transport you via golf cart. If you’re looking for an exclusive spot to relax during your private island getaway, booking one of the candy-colored bungalows is the way to go! Cool off inside your own air-conditioned cabana, or lounge on the patio or under your umbrella. All the bars on Princess Cays are open to all cruisers—there are no exclusive bars set aside for suite or Sanctuary guests. Carnival Magic restarted operations on August 7 and was the sixth ship in the fleet to do so.
CALYPSO LAGOON
And in the case of Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, these stops are near Florida's major cruise ports, decreasing visiting ships' travel times and fuel costs. Carnival also owns the smaller Half Moon Cay, a resort-like private island in the Bahamas, that has activities like horseback riding and swimming with stingrays. For months, we’ve shared everything we know about Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination — called Celebration Key. The spot sits just off the coast of Florida near Freeport in The Bahamas and promises to be the ultimate playground for cruise passengers.
We did a three-mile bike ride that took us all over the island and even got glimpses of the rays ourselves. No doubt that more details about Celebration Key will come in the months ahead (it’s still more than a year until it’s open to the first visitors), but so far, it seems to offer something for everyone. Cruisers can choose to go back on board to have lunch, or they can snag a free barbecue meal at one of two buffets on shore. While a visit to Half Moon Cay is one for the books, there are a few things to note to make the most of your time.
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Half Moon Cay, according to travel experts. Moreover, the concept of private islands offers a level of convenience for cruise passengers. Instead of having to arrange transportation to local attractions or navigate through unfamiliar surroundings, passengers can simply disembark the ship and step onto the island. This seamless transition allows for maximum relaxation and enjoyment without the hassle of organizing logistics. If you love a good beach day, you'll likely be a fan of cruise line private islands. In most cases, the beach (or beaches) is the central attraction of the private island.
Carnival Cruise Line plans to announce full phase one details and the overall development timeline for Celebration Key soon. Cruise center amenities include a complimentary beach barbecue, an observation tower, sand volleyball courts and varieties of watersport equipment, from kayaks and snorkeling gear to paddle wheelers. Lunch is included on almost all private islands, usually in the form of a barbecue buffet. For purchases, most islands accept cruise cards as payment, which will add charges for things like alcohol to your onboard account (so you don't need to bring cash). Second, remember that the earlier you get off the ship, the better chance you’ll have at scoring a seat in a prime beach location.
Currently cruisers are transported ashore in tenders, but a new deep-water dock is planned for the near future. Once ashore, expect to enjoy a beautiful day on the beach with plenty of activities for watersports, boat trips, swimming, snorkeling and relaxing in the sun. Subsequently, the island property was developed with some 50 acres (200,000 m2, or about 2% of the island) of infrastructure and facilities. Daily operations are handled by around 100 employees (residents from the nearby islands). This private island doesn't have deepwater dock, so ships are required to anchor and transport their passengers to the shore via tender boats.
When Carnival Spirit returns to Mobile, Alabama in November 2025 after spending the summer in Alaska, the ship will offer a stop in Celebration Key on 6- and 8-night Bahamas cruises. From further afield, Carnival Pride will set sail from Baltimore on 7-night Bahamas cruises that will feature Celebration Key from July 20, 2025. Similarly, Carnival Sunshine will visit the destination on 6- and 8-night sailings from Norfolk, Virginia beginning on October 18, 2025. From Jacksonville, Carnival Elation will visit the new port on 4- and 5-night sailings also from July 21, 2025.
Throughout their visit, guests can expect the same level of friendly and attentive service that they have come to expect from Carnival Cruise Line. Staff members are readily available to assist with any inquiries or needs, ensuring that guests have a hassle-free and enjoyable experience on the private islands. The islands offer a range of amenities to ensure the comfort and convenience of guests. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beach towels are readily available, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the surroundings without worry. Additionally, restroom facilities, showers, and changing areas are accessible to provide convenience and comfort during their island visit.
Purchase and open your clamshell and have the beautiful pearl made into a ring or pendant while you wait. Souvenirs are a great way to remember your trip and the Straw Market is the place to source them during your visit to Half Moon Cay. You will find some very unique gifts including beachwear and locally made ocean-themed costume jewelry. They can enjoy being sprayed with water from the pirate ship’s cannons or play on the shark, dolphin, whale and octopus-shaped water toys provided.
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