Monday, April 22, 2024

Guide to Visiting Half Moon Cay, Carnival's Private Island

carnival cruise line private island

It has a lot of natural beauty with 2,400 acres of mostly trees and bushes, along with a 2-mile-long beach. About 100 miles southeast is a quiet uninhabited island, Little San Salvador, home to Carnival’s Half Moon Cay. 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. 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. No need to plan -- just put on your swimsuit, grab a lounge chair and let the day go where it will. You could kick back on the patio of the "I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever" bar with a cold beer or daiquiri.

Beach

Even with all the construction, the space still feels natural and untouched -- a far cry from some of the more gimmicky private islands operated by other cruise lines. It has since developed 200,000 m2 (50 acres) of the 9.7 km2 (2,400-acre) island, with the stated goal of keeping as much habitat as possible. It does not have deep water docking that requires the use of tenders for cruise passengers to embark and  disembark. You only have half a day at Half Moon Cay so make sure to see the beach during the port visit. Loved swimming and running along the crystal clear blue waters and white sand beach.

CHECK OUT THE CARIBBEAN

carnival cruise line private island

The further you walk from the ship, the quieter the beach will be so if you’re looking for your own private spot, you will find it here. Half Moon Cay is located midway between the islands of Eleuthera and Cat Island in the Bahamas. It is about 100 miles (160km) southeast of Nassau, the Bahamian capital, and 277 miles southeast of Miami. Here's everything you need to know about Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, a private island used by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. Adrenaline Beach has a floating bar, always a cool attraction, and a great place to try the Labadoozie cocktail.

Things to do at Princess Cays

These can be spotted in the brackish lagoon which has been designated as a bird preserve by the Bahamian National Trust. There are nature trails all over the island either on hard pavement or sandy trails. These paths lead to some of the island’s shore excursion start points such as Stingray Cove, Bonefish Lagoon and the Pegasus Ranch where they keep the horses. Your cruise entertainment crew will organize some team games and fun activities while ashore so get ready to join an impromptu game. The cay has volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes, shuffleboard and walking trails so there’s plenty for active cruisers to enjoy.

Excursions and Tours

Privately owned by the Carnival Corporation, this port of call is exclusively used by cruises that include this heavenly hideaway on their itinerary. You’ll never be lacking for excitement while aboard one of Carnival’s cruise ships. This private island, owned by Disney Cruise Line, spans about 1,000 acres in the Bahamas. On a visit there, passengers can take a free tram from the dock to one of three stops that provide access to the kids area, family beach, waterslides and the adults-only area. Perhaps you're having visions of relaxing on a secluded beach, cocktail in hand, without another person in sight.

carnival cruise line private island

Watch this place? Cruise ship itineraries that call exclusively at private islands - Travel Weekly

Watch this place? Cruise ship itineraries that call exclusively at private islands.

Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Afterward, you’ll get to discover everything else that Ocean World has to offer, from sharks and tropical birds to sea lions and colorful tropical fish. For example, Virgin Voyages developed the Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas in partnership with Resorts World. When a Virgin ship is docked, its passengers have exclusive use of the Beach Club.

What Is Carnival Cruise Line’s Private Island

Like the rest of the Bahamas, the island enjoys a cool summer Mediterranean climate with daytime temperatures very rarely exceeding 90°F (32°C) in summer. The island enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year and maintains warm seas and balmy temperatures tempered by sea breezes. Half Moon was also the name of the ship belonging to 17th century explorer Henry Hudson which features on the Holland America logo, providing a nice connection between the island and the cruise company. Perfect Day at CocoCay has a number of cabana and beach bed options throughout the island.

Key Takeaways for Half Moon Cay

You can even purchase clamshells that are farmed nearby and contain natural pearls. Purchase and open your clamshell and have the beautiful pearl made into a ring or pendant while you wait. The most common birds are gulls and waterfowl such as sooty terns, roseate terns, and noody terns. Other birds include wading birds such as egrets, ruddy ducks, herons and Caribbean coots.

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International

There are plenty of watering holes on the island including Nellie’s Tavern, Bohio Bar and the Columbus Bar. There are plenty of complimentary food options, including the Snack Shack and its legendary chicken sandwich. There is also Chill Grill and Skippers Grill, and an assortment of food choices.

This allows them to gain insights into the vibrant heritage and traditions of the island’s local communities. Facilities such as shopping areas, souvenir shops, and photo opportunities are also available on the islands, allowing guests to take home tokens of their memorable vacation. Other amenities may include beach volleyball courts, sports courts, and open-air pavilions for events or group activities.

For those seeking a more active experience, a range of activities and watersports await. Guests can grab snorkeling gear and explore the underwater wonders, take a kayak or paddleboard for a leisurely trip along the coast, or try their hand at thrilling water sports like jet skiing or parasailing. The islands may also feature swimming pools, water slides, and aqua parks for those who prefer on-land water adventures. The success and positive guest feedback from Half Moon Cay prompted Carnival Cruise Line to explore further opportunities in private island ownership. In 1997, the cruise line acquired another island in The Bahamas, known as Big Stirrup Cay, which was later rebranded as Great Stirrup Cay.

Passengers who visit with other cruise lines can purchase day passes as long as a Virgin ship isn't in port. If you're more of an experience-focused traveler, there are fortunately plenty of things to do in Carnival's Half Moon Cay to satisfy your wanderlust. Book a tour to go snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding or even horseback riding on the beach. We had wondered if excursions on a Carnival private island were worth it, but by all accounts, they are.

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