Private Islands

Private Islands have been included in Caribbean itineraries for decades.

While many people cherish private islands as the perfect place to unwind from the daily grind at the start of a cruise or to cap off their week at sea, port collectors sometimes specifically say they do not want a private island in their itineraries.  Cruise lines hope to change that perspective, especially for the next generation of cruisers.

Change with Royal Caribbean often seems revolutionary.

Like other cruise lines, they gradually introduce favorite features of new ships throughout their fleet, but they also occasionally shatter expectations, as with Oasis Class that included so many mind-blowing features on ships twice the size of most large ships.

Coco Cay started out as a typical private island, where the crew would bring provisions for a barbecue party to a beach picnic area with lounge chairs on shore in an amalgam of the onboard and port experience.  However, check out the full vision that Royal Caribbean will unfold for 2019.

If you're an older adult who normally cruises on Holland America, Oceania, Regent or Viking Cruises, you may be horrified by the mere prospect of such a place existing in your tranquil Caribbean, although if you watched the video long far enough to see the overwater bungalows like you normally associate with French Polynesia, even you might find this isle tempting.

Royal Caribbean has made its mark providing jaw-dropping architecture and activities for young adults and families, while at the same time offering luxe experiences in other areas of their mega-ships to accommodate those with more refined tastes who still appreciate the entertainment easily accessible in "big cities."

RCCL is simply expanding this approach on their private islands.

Norwegian, which for all intents and purposes invented destination cruising and introduced many important milestones since they began cruising from Miami in 1965, made their own revolutionary private island of Havest Caye in Belize, an Exotic Western Caribbean destination that has long needed a more ship-friendly port.



We've experienced this type of hybrid in Costa Maya, Mexico, a short trip ride down the beach from sleepy Mahajual and with opportunities to visit Mayan ruins on excursions not that different from what you might take from Playa Del Carmen or Cozumel, but it is wonderful NCL took the plunge in Belize.

No roundup of private islands would be complete without Disney's Castaway Cay, which as expected has lots of special features for families.

I nonetheless expect the traditional private island concept will carry on, not simply because they are popular as a place for that perfect Corona on the beach experience but also because cruise lines are able to capture more travel dollars by selling those refreshing beverages in coconuts and personal water craft to a captive audience.

Then again, don't be surprised when private islands continue to evolve with small changes intended to improve the experience for their perceived clientele, just as cruise ships do.

"Better service leads to better trips!"