Many Caribbean cruises include a stop at some of the Caribbean Sea’s most picturesque islands. Turquoise waters, stunning coral reefs, beautiful beaches, and native fauna and wildlife draw the awe of visitors. For the more active crowd, a variety of optional island exploration and water sports activities keep people busy all day long. Beach umbrellas, cabanas, and other shady spots are available to those who want to step out of the sun. Beachside massag- es sooth the senses. Guests who want privacy are invited to visit many of the islands’ more isolated and secluded beaches. Families are more than welcome, with plenty to do for all ages, including aqua parks, hiking trails, and other kid-friendly activities. Many areas on the islands are handicap accessible. Here’s a rundown of the private island ports of call by cruise line: Costa Cruises – Costa Cruises guests visit Catalina Island, off the coast of the Dominican Republic. It features activities such as volleyball, beach Olympics, snorkeling, and massages on the beach. Cruise passengers can also rent jet skis, go for banana-boat rides, or relax on a long beach edged with palm trees. Music and barbecues complete an idyllic day and, for
the tourist-minded, visitors can purchase jewelry, beachwear, and other souvenirs. Disney Cruise Line – Disney’s Castaway Cay provides plenty of magic and fun for people of all ages. The three-mile-long island, of which only ten percent has been developed, provides plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy its natural beauty. The island caters to guests in true Disney style. This is the only private island featuring cruise ship docking capabilities (as opposed to shuttle boats be- tween the ship and the island). This allows guests to come and go as they please. Attractions include the Castaway Family Beach, Serenity Bay (for adults), Teen Beach and Scuttle’s Cove (for kids), plus numerous water sports, snorkeling, and water tour excursions. Holland America Line – Half Moon Cay, rated the “Best Private Island” by Porthole Cruise Magazine eight times now, is located on three mile-long Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, of which only two percent has been developed. Half Moon Cay was built on a crescent-shaped white sand beach more than a mile in length. Island attractions include horseback riding, snorkeling with stingrays, personal watercraft tours, kayak lagoon tours, parasailing, massages, and the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park. Your private butler will attend to virtually any need during your stay, and the island makes a lovely setting for a destination wedding. MSC Cruises – MSC Cruises is currently developing their own exclusive reserve
island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Located in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay will feature a 2,000 seat amphitheater, many restaurants, walking trails, bike rentals, a family beach, zip wires, and a pavilion for weddings and celebrations. There will be an exclusive spa and wells sanctuary with private bungalows exclusively for MSC Yacht Club guests. MSC plans for Ocean Cay to open to guests in December of 2017. Norwegian Cruise Line – Travelers set foot on Great Stirrup Cay, located 120 nautical miles east of Fort Lauderdale in the Berry Island chain of the Bahamas. There are two maintained beaches on the island, plus several other, more isolated ones. Visitors enjoy native animal and marine life at every turn. Water sports include snorkeling, paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks, and parasailing. Special cruise line “Olympic” competitions are frequently held on the island for guests. In 2017 Norwegian will offer a new lagoon retreat with a pristine beach, new dining options, beach villas, and a family beach area. Norwegian Cruise Line also stops at Harvest Caye in Southern Belize. The 75 acre island features a pool, a water sports lagoon, a 7 acre beach with private cabanas, shopping, as well as activities such as zip lining and snorkeling. Princess Cruise Line – Princess Cays is located on the southern portion of Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, featuring white sand beaches and turquoise waters great for snorkeling. Island activities include seaboards, aqua bikes, Hobie Cat
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2017 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner
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