When it comes to cruising in the Caribbean, one of the most anticipated destinations by most cruisers isn’t a port call in San Juan, Saint Thomas or Jamacaia, but the cruise line’s private island.
The major cruise lines that ply the crystal blue Caribbean water own or lease island paradises that their ships call on to allow guests to soak up the sun, cool off in the ocean and drink frozen beverages under a palm tree. Those lines that don’t have their own island often have agreements in place to use other line’s islands for the day.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the various private islands in the Caribbean and which cruise lines use them:
- Castaway Cay – Leased by the Walt Disney Company and used exclusively by passengers of Disney Cruise Line.
- CoCo Cay (also known as Little Stirrup Cay) – Leased by Royal Caribbean International and called on by Royal Caribbean and sister line, Celebrity Cruises. This island is right next to the next one on the list, Great Stirrup Cay.
- Great Stirrup Cay – Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and called on by Norwegian, Oceania Cruises (owned by Norwegian), and MSC Cruises which has an agreement to use the island on certain itineraries.
- Princess Cays – Owned by Princess Cruises the island is for the exclusive use of Princess Cruise Line ships.
- Half Moon Cay – Owned by Carnival Corporation, the island is branded as Holland America Line‘s private island but is called on by both Holland America and Carnival Cruise Line ships.
- Labadee – Like CoCo Cay, this island is leased to Royal Caribbean International and is used by their brands including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.
I’m not alone when I say that one of these islands is my favorite port-of-call. Besides being the perfect place to chill out, there’s plenty of things to do such as horseback ride in the surf, take a glass bottom boat ride, snorkel, enjoy various watersports and of course, eat! An island BBQ is always prepared and there’s no shortage of food to go around, so don’t worry about packing food from the ship when you’re going ashore.
In most cases, getting to these islands requires the use of tender boats which ferry passengers back and forth from the ship. Because of that, sea conditions often dictate whether or not passengers can safely disembark. I have been on cruises where the excitement of a day on the island has turned into a day of disappointment because the call was cancelled due to rough sea. But keep in mind, the safety of passengers and crew is paramount!
In this post, I’ll take you through a photo tour of Half Moon Cay and point out some of the highlights of the island.
Located in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay is a 2,400 acre island also known as Little San Salvador. When Carnival Corporation bought the island from rival Norwegian Cruise Line in 1996, it worked to develop only 50 acres to cater to cruise passengers, with the other acreage being preserved.
Half Moon Cay requires the use of tender boats to take passengers to and from the island. There is a fleet of tenders stationed at the island, so ships don’t have to use their own tenders to ferry passengers. Supply boats also take the food and beverage items used on the island from the ship.
Once on the island, the first thing most passengers do is head straight to the beach where plenty of lounge chairs await along with your ship’s bar and wait staff ready to keep you refreshed with a cold drink.
(Note: If you purchased one of the Carnival or Holland America Line beverage packages, they are not valid for use on Half Moon Cay. All beverages consumed on the island are additional and will be charged to your shipboard account.)
A fairly new addition to Half Moon Cay is Captain Morgan on the Rocks Island Bar. Designed to look like a 101-foot-long, twin-decked, three-masted schooner that washed up on the island, the bar features nautical artifacts and historic references to Captain Morgan’s Caribbean adventure centuries ago. The bar is a great place to grab and drink and with its location right on the beach, refreshment is just a few steps away.
If you want to do some sailing or kayaking, there are rentals available.
For those who want to ultimate in island living, at least for the day, there are private cabanas to rent on the island. They are in short supply and sell out quickly, so if you’re considering one, book them online early! The cabanas are lined up along the beach and are just a few short steps from the shore. Each has a refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, table, chairs and loungers.
I highly recommend a cabana when anyone tells me they’re stopping at Half Moon Cay. It’s a great place to relax, get out of the sun and have some time away from the beach, which can get crowded!
For those who want to take cabana living up a notch, there are a few new Beach Villas for rent. These two-story villas feature air-conditioning, a hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, dining area with table and chairs inside, misting shower, and private sun deck. These are great for families or for those travelling together as a small group.
Then there is the ultimate in island living (and relaxing)… the Private Oasis. This 1,600+ square foot cabana is situated on the beach yet away from the crowds and only a few steps from the warm, welcoming water. I’ve had the opportunity to rent the Private Oasis several times and to say it’s well worth the price is an understatement.
It comes with a BBQ area, bar, fridge, dining table that seats six, loungers and bar stools for 12, changing rooms, indoor/outdoor showers, a private hot tub that holds eight and more. To top it all off, you get a butler, a personal chef, bartender, steward and your own lifeguard who will pamper you for the day by cooking you lunch, pouring you drinks and attending to your and your guest’s every desire.
If you’re traveling with family or a group, it’s the perfect way to spend the day in Half Moon Cay and I highly recommend it. Then again, I recommend any of the cabana options for a day on the island as you will find it is well worth it – no matter which you choose.
When you’ve had enough sun and had your fill of lunch from the Island BBQ, be sure to take a stroll around the island before heading back to the ship. There are great places for photo opps and also a few huts where trinkets are sold.
The day on Half Moon Cay usually ends around 3:00pm when “all aboard” is scheduled and your ship leaves for its next port of call, so be sure to get up early and head to the beach so you won’t be disappointed. On your way out on the tender boat, be sure to have your camera ready to take some pictures of your ship from the distance, as there are some great vantage points.
I hope you enjoyed this photo journey to the beautiful island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. If you’ve been there, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.