10 Best Cruise-Line Private [Tropical] Islands in the Caribbean

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10 Best Cruise-Line Private Islands in the Caribbean

Sometimes, the best part of a cruise experience happens off the ship on a private island.

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Royal Caribbean

Cruise ships may be offering more and more activities to entertain passengers while at sea, but they are also aiming to provide the fun with port stops to their very own private islands and resorts.

Instead of disembarking to an island for exploration and excursions, these cruise-owned lands give passengers a place to relax on a beach, play in a pool and enjoy resort-style amenities like water sports, spa services and swim-up bars.

We've ranked everything from the best cruise ships to the biggest cruise ports, but this time we are judging them completely on their private islands. Using reviews from real cruisers on Tripadvisor, here are the best cruise islands in the Caribbean.


10. Labadee
9. Catalina Island
8. Princess Cays
7. Bimini Beach Club
6. Harvest Caye
5. Great Stirrup Cay
4. CocoCay
3. Ocean Cay Marine Reserve
2. Castaway Cay
1. Half Moon Cay

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10. Labadee​

Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's Labadee gets the least amount of love due to its location. Not a private island, Labadee is a private beach resort in Haiti spanning 260 acres. While Haiti is considered a bit unsafe (the U.S. State Department advises tourists to reconsider traveling there), the resort's private spot is well-managed and protected.
A bigger issue for cruisers is the resort's age — it was first leased to the cruise line in 1986 and lacks the bells and whistles of newer locations.

Get ready to have some fun, because Royal Caribbean is one of the best for activities.

At this resort you'll find the longest zip line above water, Dragon's Breath Flight Line, which extends 2,600 feet.

You can also ride the Dragon's Tail mountain coaster at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. (Neither is for the faint of heart!)

An Artisan's Village provides shopping for crafts and souvenirs, and of course you may also simply relax and enjoy the warm Caribbean waters. All ages may enjoy the waterslide and aqua park.

Royal Caribbean
Take your pick of cabanas to enjoy at this resort, from those on the beach to over-water bungalows. All are open to the island's breezes and provide shade from the tropical sun with comfortable lounge chairs.

Unlike other cabanas found on cruise-line islands, these cabanas lack bathrooms, air-conditioning and fans. Still, you will receive beach gear and toys, coolers with cold water and cabana service.

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9. Catalina Island​

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Costa Cruises doesn't own all of Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic. Rather, it has a private beach that it offers passengers in this idyllic destination.
The island is notable for taking care of its people and environment by prohibiting motor boats to come near it. Instead, you'll arrive in a row boat and dock straight in the sand — who knew quiet was possible on a cruise?

Catalina Island Activities​

Niedwiadek78/Wikimedia Commons
It turns out that not being on a private island has its advantages. While the main activity here is snorkeling (definitely one you'll want to do), you can also enjoy local culture. Costa Cruises offers excursions to the Altos de Chavon village, for instance, a recreation of a European village set in a real town.
Another fun excursion is a boat cruise to the Chavon River, so you can take a break from salt water and enjoy some fresh water. Of course, if all you want to do is relax in a catamaran or lay on the beach, you're more than welcome to do that, too.

Catalina Island Cabanas​

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Costa Cruises doesn't offer cabanas on their private beach, but you can expect beach chairs with comforting shade, facilities and food services.

 

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Come Jamaica instead
Everything irie
One love .

 

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8. Princess Cays​

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More than 40 acres of land in the Bahamas is available for guests of Princess Cruises on its island stop. As Princess is owned by Carnival Corporation, Carnival and Holland America may also drop anchor on this island, giving passengers a chance to stretch their sea legs.
The first of two Carnival-owned islands, this one is not private or actually a full island; instead the cruise ships get a tip of the island of Eleuthera, which takes away from the coolness factor.

Princess Cays Activities​

Pako Joubert/Facebook
As Princess Cays shares space on Eleuthera, passengers can explore the rest of the island on their own, electing to do off-ship programs and to enjoy local restaurants rather than be confined to the offerings of the cruise line. (Then again, passengers dine free here, including at a large barbecue buffet, so keeping the ship in sight can be good, too.)
As always, grabbing a lounger on the beach and staying put is a good bet. Or enjoy the beach setting by snorkeling in the clear waters, walking about the natural island scrub, or sampling the non-motorized water sports.

Princess Cays Cabanas​

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Keeping the Caribbean colorful, Princess Cays offers multi-colored cabanas to rent for privacy on the beach, along with an array of amenities, including air-conditioning.
Smaller, four-person cabanas are some of the most affordable of those on this list (rates start at $200) and come stocked with snacks, beverages and beach gear. Spend a little more and receive adults-only bungalows for a quieter experience with all the same stylings.

 

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7. Bimini Beach Club (Bahamas)​

Virgin Voyages/Facebook
When Virgin Voyages set out to disrupt the cruise industry, it decided to make its Bimini Beach Club different from others. It stands out mainly in its design, which mirrors that of its Caribbean ship, the Scarlett Lady, in its elevated luxury and chic modern touches. Bubble swings, hammocks and a nightly bonfire await.
Bimini itself isn't owned by Virgin, and the beach club isn't completely exclusive for passengers of the line. The current arrangement opens the beach club to anyone as long as a Virgin ship isn't docked on the island. As soon as one appears, the club is closed off to anyone except Virgin Voyages passengers.

Bimini Beach Club Activities​

Virgin Voyages/Facebook
Many people prefer to spend the entire day at the beach club. The food is an experience in itself, and with many drinks to be had and plenty of sun to soak up, you can relax without any guilt.
But for those who always need to be on the go, there are excursions that take you diving around shipwrecks and reefs. If you like history, join a cultural tour of North Bimini.

Bimini Beach Club Cabanas​

Virgin Voyages/Facebook
If you're planning to stay at the beach club, consider renting a cabana for privacy and comfort. All cabanas are on the beach and provide day beds, coolers and other amenities.
Their only drawback is that they're pricy, coming out to $500. The price includes a $100 drink credit, so it could be worth it if you're really keen on a private cabana. Otherwise, just enjoy the rest of the beach club for free.

 

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6. Harvest Caye​

US Embassy Belize/Facebook

One of the few private islands outside of the Bahamas, Harvest Caye is located in Belize and is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line — but access is also provided to guests of sister lines Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It's large enough for ships to dock rather than tender, and a ferry can take passengers to mainland Belize.
As one of the newest cruise islands, it was opened in 2016. Norwegian spent $50 million to create what was voted one of the top cruise ports in the Caribbean. While reviews are positive, some report that the resort-like island lacks an authentic Belize port stop feel.

Harvest Caye Activities​

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Harvest Caye does feel like a resort, complete with a 15,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar and energetic music, a man-made 7-acre beach with hammocks and 2,500 chairs for lounging, a splash playground for tiny tots and a free nature park.
For fun, there is a zip line that will take you 1,300 feet across the caye, or enjoy the lagoon with kayaks and paddleboards.
There isn't a free meal to be had on this island; instead, guests can select from the restaurant and island bars, operated by the locals. The island's artisans also sell their arts and crafts in the caye's traditional-style straw market.
Those wanting to truly visit Belize can hop on the ferry for an excursion

Harvest Caye Cabanas​

Cruise Hive
Offering outdoor as well as indoor privacy right on a secluded beach, cabanas in Harvest Caye help passengers stay cool with air-conditioning and plenty of shade.
Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, bathrooms with showers, hammocks and pillowy lounge chairs. Food isn't available in the cabanas, but can be delivered from the island's restaurant. Not only will you be treated well, but you'll also have a golf-cart shuttle to get you from the ship to your homestead and back.