Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Cruise lines don’t just own big boats — they also own private islands in places like the Bahamas and Belize.
The properties have proven valuable for cruise lines like Carnival, its CEO said in March.
See photos of the 6 private islands owned by Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Disney.
1. Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line
David Roark/Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line signed a 99-year lease for Castaway Cay with the Bahamian government for an undisclosed price in 1997.
Mark Gauert/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Previously known as “Gorda Cay,” the island was once a hot spot for pirates and drug trafficking, according to an investigation by SFGATE.
Mark Gauert/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Today, the family friendly private island is only accessible by Disney cruise guests and approximately 60 staff members who live and work on the island full-time.
Matt Stroshane/Disney Cruise Line via Getty Images
The shipwreck-themed island offers activities for all age groups, with special beach sections for families, adults, and teens.
Marjie Lambert/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Of course, famous Disney characters make guest appearances on the island throughout the day.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Castaway has proven so valuable to the brand that Disney is investing between $250 million and $400 million to develop a 700-acre property called “Lighthouse Point” on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.
Universal History Archive/Getty Images
The new island resort, which saw substantial pushback from local environmentalist groups, will welcome Disney cruises starting in the Summer of 2024.
2. Half Moon Cay, Carnival Corporation
Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line
Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas, was purchased by Carnival subsidiary Holland America Line for $6 million in 1996.
Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line
The cruise line spent more than $16 million on developing the island into a private beach resort, where cruise guests can go snorkeling, horseback riding, and swim with stingrays.
Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line
Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein said on a March earnings call that the cruise line is working to “further leverage and monetize” its land-based assets this year.
Cruise Image Library / Holland America Line
Guests can explore the island by tram, or via hiking and cycling trails. For extra privacy, two-story villas and beach cabanas are available for rent.
Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line
3. Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Royal Caribbean unveiled its $250 million private island in the Bahamas in 2019. So far, it’s been a hit for the cruising giant.
The Coco Beach Club on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay island.
Royal Caribbean International
Demand has been “exceptionally high” for Royal Caribbean’s slice of paradise, Michael Bayley, the company’s president and CEO, told investors in February.
Many of the cruise line’s North American cruises stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. And this year, Bayley thinks the getaway will see two-and-a-half to three million travelers.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is lined with complimentary beaches, pools, and food stands.
However, many of the more desirable amenities — like the beach club, water park, and cabanas — come at an extra cost.
So does access to the zip line and the helium balloon.
With all of these paid amenities, it’s no surprise the island’s financial returns have been “exceptionally high and significantly above its targeted returns,” Naftali Holtz, Royal Caribbean Group’s CFO, told investors in February.
But CocoCay isn’t complete yet. In 2024, Royal Caribbean will unveil an extension of the private island: Hideaway Beach, an adults only section with a pool and private cabanas.
Royal Caribbean Group isn’t the only cruise brand to have launched a private island in 2019.
That same year, MSC unveiled its own Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve private island in the Bahamas.
This man-made island was initially created and used for sand mining, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
When MSC purchased the property, it was tasked with restoring the land and cleaning the remaining debris from the previous mining operations.
Now, it’s used as a destination for the cruise giant’s North America-based Caribbean itineraries.
Like any cruise line-owned island, Ocean Cay has amenities for adults and families.
The island has eight beaches interspersed over two miles, a shopping center, and family friendly activities like stargazing excursions and beach volleyball.
For adults in need of quiet relaxation, the island also has massage huts on the beach.
5. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line
Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
2021 Norwegian Cruise Line
Unlike competing cruise lines, the 270-acre destination has been in Norwegian’s real estate portfolio since 1977.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
2021 Norwegian Cruise Line
At the time, it was the cruise industry’s first private island destination for guests, according to the company.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
2021 Norwegian Cruise Line
Here, you can swim with pigs or stingrays, nap on the beach, or sip on a mojito at the Bacardi Bar.
For thrill-seekers, there’s also the option to parasail along the coast, zip line, or snorkel around an underwater sculpture garden.
But if you’d rather relax, there are several cabanas that can be rented for the day.
For a more exclusive retreat, the island is also home to Norwegian’s Silver Cove.
Villas: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
2021 Norwegian Cruise Line
This “resort-style retreat” is filled with villas, a spa, and private beaches that could rival a luxury hotel.
This addition was launched in 2019.
6. Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line
Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Great Stirrup Cay isn’t Norwegian Cruise Line’s only island venture.
Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
It also owns Harvest Caye in Belize, a 75-acre tropical getaway with beaches that span seven acres.
Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Like Great Stirrup Cay, travelers can snorkel around a reef and zip line across the island.
There’s also a swim-up bar in the pool, a saltwater lagoon for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding …
… and a marina for a relaxing afternoon stroll by the water.
And of course, cabanas can be rented at an extra cost. It wouldn’t be a private island owned by a cruise line without some paid amenities, after all.
