Private islands have become some of the hottest attractions in cruising. For many travelers, these exclusive destinations are no longer just another port of call: They’re the selling point of the cruise itself.
“Private islands have become the main character of the Caribbean cruising industry,” said Heather Blackwelder, a travel advisor and franchise owner at Cruise Planners. “The reason people book isn’t always because of a stop or a port. It’s because of the private islands.”
It wasn’t always that way. When cruise lines first began developing private islands in the Caribbean in the 1970s, they were little more than pretty beaches with lounge chairs, a simple barbecue lunch and a few water sports.
Today, they’re destinations in their own right. Cruise lines have transformed them into places where guests can enjoy everything from sprawling water parks to exclusive beach clubs with more control over crowding than at traditional ports. They have become one of the biggest ways brands set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market.
“I have some clients who plan their cruise based on the private island, so if the itinerary doesn’t include a stop there, they’re not even interested in discussing it,” Blackwelder said.
No two are exactly alike. That’s why it’s important for travel advisors to understand what each one offers so they can match clients with the right sailing, Blackwelder said. Here are six of the cruise industry’s most exciting private destinations.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Best for: Families, multigenerational travelers, thrill seekers
- Cruise line: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises
Perfect Day at CocoCay lets travelers create exactly the beach day they want. The 125-acre private island is divided into two distinct experiences.
“You can go to the chill side of the island, or you can go to the thrill side of the island,” Blackwelder said. Adventure lovers can race down 14 waterslides (including the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak) at Thrill Waterpark, fly down a 1,600-foot zip line or ride the Up, Up & Away helium balloon for panoramic views 450 feet above the island. Meanwhile, guests looking to unwind can spend the day at one of seven beaches, take a dip in Oasis Lagoon (the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool) or splurge on one of the 20 overwater cabanas.
“Oasis Lagoon is one of the top memories that my clients bring back and share,” Blackwelder said.
While many features are included as part of the cruise fare, premium attractions, including Thrill Waterpark, the zip line, balloon ride and overwater cabanas, cost extra and can sell out. Blackwelder recommended reserving these add-ons for clients before making the final payment — or even earlier if possible.
Celebration Key
- Best for: Families, active travelers, first-time cruisers
- Cruise line: Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises
Carnival’s newest exclusive destination was designed to live up to its name when it opened on a 379-acre stretch of Grand Bahama Island in July 2025.
“When you look at the pictures of Celebration Key, it just screams fun,” Blackwelder said.
At the heart of the destination is the 10-story Suncastle, an eye-catching, sandcastle-inspired landmark that houses two racing waterslides. It’s the centerpiece of Starfish Lagoon, where families can spend the day splashing in one of the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons, playing pickleball or beach volleyball on the sports courts, cooling off at the splash pad or relaxing on the beach.
Adults looking for a livelier atmosphere can head to Calypso Lagoon, home to reportedly the world’s largest swim-up bar, while those craving a quieter day can retreat to the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club and its 11,000-square-foot infinity pool.
“The sheer number of places to explore helps keep crowding to a minimum,” Blackwelder said. “Even though you’ve got 5,000 guests there, you never feel overwhelmed.”
Beyond beaches and pools, Celebration Key leans into Bahamian culture with live Junkanoo parades, local artwork and artisan-made souvenir shopping in Lokono Cove. It’s the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s sensory inclusion certification, with trained staff and complimentary sensory bags available to help guests with sensory needs enjoy the experience more comfortably.
Celebration Key isn’t just for Carnival Cruise Line guests anymore. Select itineraries from Princess Cruises and AIDA Cruises are beginning to include stops there later this year, giving advisors more options for clients who want to check it out.
Castaway Cay
- Best for: Disney fans, multigenerational families, beach lovers
- Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has been perfecting the private island experience in the Bahamas for decades, and it shows. While Castaway Cay offers the same turquoise water, white-sand beaches and water sports as other private destinations, it sets itself apart with the signature Disney experience that fans of the brand adore.
“It carries Disney’s storytelling from the ship to the private island. It’s the gold standard for families because of that consistency,” Blackwelder said.
For clients who already love Disney but have never been on a cruise, that seamless transition from ship to shore can make cruising feel especially approachable, she added.
Guests can expect plenty of character appearances, hidden Mickeys peppered around the island and family-friendly activities like snorkeling and biking. But Castaway Cay isn’t just for kids. Adults can slip away to Serenity Bay, an adults-only area with a palm-fringed beach, open-air massages, tropical cocktails and a barbecue lunch, making Castaway Cay just as appealing for couples as it is for families.
Beach Club at Bimini
- Best for: Solo travelers, couples, social travelers
- Cruise line: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages skips the private island altogether in favor of an exclusive beach club on Bimini reserved for its passengers. After a quick five to 15-minute tram ride from the pier, guests arrive at an adults-only retreat with the feel of a stylish boutique resort.
The Beach Club at Bimini aims to give guests plenty of moments of “detox and retox” throughout the day. In the morning, they can take yoga and meditation classes backed by the sound of ocean waves or stretch out on the private beach. Afternoons bring DJs, pool parties and a more social atmosphere around the lagoon-style pool. Visitors can stay properly fueled with complimentary dishes from locally inspired menus (the banana leaf steamed red snapper is a favorite).
If your client happens to be cruising solo (or just wants to meet some new people), they can check out creative social spaces like hammock groves and six bars. Plus, those staying in RockStar Quarters have access to exclusive amenities, including a dedicated bar and beach cabanas, making it even easier for advisors to encourage that upsell.
Blackwelder sees beach clubs like Bimini as a natural extension of the private island trend. As cruise lines look beyond developing entire islands, she expects more brands to create exclusive beach clubs within existing ports — giving advisors even more opportunities to book itineraries that match their clients’ individual travel styles.
“Private islands really transformed cruising from a destination-based vacation into an experience-driven one,” she said. “And I don’t see any signs of it slowing down anytime soon.”
Great Stirrup Cay
- Best for: Travelers seeking a balance of relaxation and adventure
- Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises
Great Stirrup Cay helped put private islands on the map when Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) purchased it in 1977. Nearly 50 years later, the 270-acre destination in the Bahamas is in the midst of one of its biggest transformations yet, with a new pier, an adults-only beach club, an expansive pool and other upgrades designed to modernize the guest experience.
“I’ve got a lot of customers who are diehard NCL fans, and they’re excited because it’s keeping up with the other major cruise lines with its private island upgrades,” Blackwelder said.
Perhaps the most anticipated addition is Great Tides Waterpark, which was slated to open in September 2026, as of press time. The attraction will feature 19 waterslides, an 800-foot-long lazy river and what NCL said will be the cruise industry’s first cliff-jumping attraction.
Even with all the new attractions and longtime favorites (like the zip lines, wave runners and snorkel garden), Blackwelder said Great Stirrup Cay still has a more laid-back atmosphere than some competing private islands. For clients seeking an even more relaxing escape, she recommended booking a treatment at the destination’s spa, which includes complimentary access to the adults-only Silver Cove enclave — a little-known perk that can turn a beach day into a luxurious experience.
Originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of The Compass magazine
Joni Sweet
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