If you’ve ever cruised to the Western Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Line, or one of their sister brands such as Holland America, chances are you’ve stepped foot in Mahogany Bay, the cruise line’s private port (not a private island) in Roatan, Honduras. This resort-style destination is a favorite spot for cruisers because it has a large, free beach area that’s just a short walk or chair lift ride from the ship.
Big changes are on the way to this port of call and one took place already. Carnival has bid farewell to the Mahogany Bay name and is now calling it Isla Tropicale. If you’re keeping score, they recently renamed Holland America’s private island of Half Moon Cay to “RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.” One can assume these name changes are designed to reflect each destination’s unique character, much like how Royal Caribbean added the “Perfect Day” prefix to their destinations, such as “Perfect Day at Coco Cay.”
New Additions Coming to Mahogany Bay / Isla Tropicale
Besides a new name, the cruise line is adding some soon-to-be guest faves in 2026, including:
- A Pool with a Swim-Up Bar – While I’m definitely not a fan of the all day drinkers who never leave their seat at one of these swim-up bars for a rest room break, the addition of one was probably high on the wish list of many cruisers. For those who enjoy these things, it’s the perfect spot to sip a tropical cocktail and people watch while keeping cool and not thinking about where all that Coor’s Light is ending up.
- A Brand-New Beach Club – For those who want a more exclusive beach experience, the upcoming beach club is just what the doctor ordered. While details are still under wraps, this addition hints at an upscale area where guests can relax in (maybe) cabanas, plush loungers, and personalized service. It’s a nod to the growing demand for curated, VIP-style experiences on cruise vacations. Don’t expect access to this area to be free.
- More Beach Access? – Carnival has teased that a new beach is also in the works, though the timeline for this expansion remains TBD. While the beach at Maho… Isla Tropicale is large, with the new 8.000 passenger ships arriving in a few years, they will need additional space for all the sun worshipers.
Carnival’s decision to revamp Mahogany Bay into Isla Tropicale reflects a trend in the cruise industry: private destinations are becoming key differentiators for cruise lines. By investing in exclusive ports like Isla Tropicale, Carnival can offer guests an experience within a controlled, cruise-friendly environment. We see it happening with Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island and Perfect Day Mexico and with Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point.
The upgrades at Isla Tropicale coincide with the introduction of new Excel-class ships, Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale, set to debut in 2027 and 2028. The exact timeline for when these additions will be fully operational hasn’t been pinned down, but Carnival’s year-round visits to Roatan mean you’ll likely see progress whenever your cruise rolls around. And with ships like Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Celebration regularly calling on this port, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to check out the changes.