Cruise lines are expanding their private islands – here’s what you need to know

• Private Islands have fast become a key feature of the plans of each major cruise line.
• Royal Caribbean has been setting the standard for private destinations, but NCL and Carnival are both planning large expansions.
• Here’s a guide of what the major players are up to in the field of private destinations.

Private islands are fast becoming a key part of the cruise world, with all major cruise lines looking to open their own private destinations and islands. This gives cruise lines not only an experience they can design from scratch, but also a destination they can whisk passengers off to without worrying about regulations. 

The most notable example has been the success of Royal Caribbean’s ‘Perfect Day at CocoCay experience, which sees thousands of visitors every day in its Caribbean location. It’s clear to see that Royal Caribbean now prioritise it’s operations around the island, with its biggest ships like Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas constantly paying the island a visit. 

Furthermore, Royal Caribbean is planning to expand these operations to Mexico, where a new Perfect Day and private destination experience will be opened. Moreover, Royal Caribbean has built private destinations, such as beach clubs, at various cruise destinations. 

Australians will hopefully have access to one soon, with plans set to go ahead in 2027 to build a private destination experience at Lelepa in Vanuatu. Royal Caribbean is still in the process of putting these plans in place, but has mentioned several times it is a project that has been given the green light.

While Royal Caribbean has been raising the bar, other major players such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruises are following close behind. Both lines have recently announced expansions to their own private island offerings, and both are clearly making plays to try and recreate Royal Caribbean’s success.

Furthermore, as cruise experiences various complaints of overtourism across the world, while nothing is too grave in the short term, having private island destinations also offers cruise lines a future-proof strategy to continue expanding operations.

This rundown has what each of the three major cruise lines is doing with their private island destinations as cruise lines compete to have the best offerings. 

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL has recently put USD$150 million towards upgrades to its island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas. 

Previously, to actually step foot on the island, guests had to tender, but now a new pier will allow two ships to dock at a time. This investment mirrors what Royal Caribbean began in 2019, which led to the current day success of Coco Cay. 

NCL will also install a series of upgraded facilities to add more offerings to the island. For example, they’re building a new large pool with a swim up, adults-only area, tram service and more amenities. Furthermore, they will install poolside cabanas, a family-friendly splash zone, a bridge overlooking the ocean and more. 

The island is clearly able to become more and more integrated into NCL itineraries, with an astonishing 17 NCL ships set to visit Great Stirrup Cay in 2027. 

NCL is also about to start building its biggest ever ships, which will likely sail regularly to their private island. 

Carnival Cruises

Carnival Cruises recently announced its five-year expansion plans, and its private destinations are right at the centre of it. 

In July this year Carnival will open Celebration Key, which will be able to take a massive 13,000 passengers a day, with plans to expand this capacity further in the future. 

A massive 20 Carnival ships across more than 1400 sailings will visit Celebration Key in 2027, meaning an average of around four ships a day.

Carnival also has another destination, Half Moon Cay, also in the Bahamas. This destination will be getting a makeover as well, including a larger dog so its largest ships can visit. 

The cruise line then has yet another destination in Roatan, Honduras, which will be renamed to Isla Tropicale, and a new pool with a swim up bar and beach cabanas will be installed. 

Royal Caribbean

As noted, Royal Caribbean has seen immense success with its Perfect Day at CocoCay experience, and is clearly looking to continue building on this success.

Royal Caribbean also has a private area is Labadee in Haiti, where guests have access to all sorts of activities such as roller coasters, the longest zip-line in the world over water, a water park, waterslides, snorkelling, kayaking and plenty more.

The cruise line is looking to open something similar in Nassau, but with more of a beach club vibe. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau will open this year and the 17-acre set up will included eateries, beach bars, private pools, cabanas and plenty more. 

Royal Caribbean also has new two destinations planned for Mexico. The first is the cruise lines second instalment of Perfect Day, in Mahahual. This experience will be modelled on Perfect Day at Coco Cay and will aim to recreate its success. 

The cruise line is also opening a beach club in Cozumel in 2026, with the experience expected to be similar to the one being built in Nassau.

Then also as mentioned, Royal Caribbean announced its plans for a private destination in Lelepa a few years ago. At first, it was billed as a Perfect Day experience, but now will likely be a beach club or smaller private experience. News is thin on the ground for how things are progressing, but hopes are that it will open in 2027.