BOOK
Facebook-f Instagram Tiktok Youtube
Search
Close this search box.

private island

A large group of people walking along a dock beside the enormous "Independence of the Seas" cruise ship.
Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Labadee

All You Need to Know About Labadee: Royal Caribbean’s Private Paradise

/

Labadee, located on the northern coast of Haiti, is a private paradise exclusively for Royal Caribbean International’s passengers. While I don’t like Labadee as much as Royal Caribbean’s other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this beautiful destination still offers a unique blend of natural beauty and exciting activities. Is Labadee Open? Sadly, due to current security risks, Labadee is temporarily closed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew due to political unrest in the area, so be sure to consult the latest updates from Royal Caribbean before planning a cruise with Labadee on the itinerary. As Royal Caribbean keeps pushing back the opening date, cruises with Labadee as a port of call have been changed to other locations, such as Grand Turk and Nassau, and in some cases, calls to Labadee have been changed to a sea day. Is Labadee a Private Island? Royal Caribbean generally promotes Labadee as a private island, but it is actually a peninsula on Haiti’s northern coast. This marketing approach is simpler and aligns with other cruise line private islands—and besides, “private peninsula” doesn’t have the same ring to it. The private island label also denotes the exclusivity and controlled environment that cruisers expect from a “private island” experience. And if you want to get technical, Labadee technically is part of an island, as Haiti is part of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Regardless of its actual topographical designation, Labadee provides everything cruisers have come to expect from cruise line private islands, like Carnival’s Half Moon Cay, in that it provides an isolated, resort-style setup that is exclusively accessible to Royal Caribbean guests. Is Labadee a Tender Port? The private area of Labadee is a secluded area spanning 260 acres and is designed to provide a controlled and secure environment for cruise passengers. I like that Labadee isn’t a tender port, meaning that cruise passengers step right off the ship onto a pier. It’s a fairly short one, and cruisers can easily walk to the beach area from there. The beaches here are well-maintained, with clear waters perfect for swimming and relaxing. Unfortunately, on the day of my visit, it was drizzly and rainy, so I didn’t get to enjoy the traditional beach experience fully, but the scenery was lovely, and I appreciated the mountain and beach views. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Things to Do at Labadee Because Labadee is a private destination, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through Royal Caribbean. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy at Labadee. Enjoy a Beach Day Relaxing on the beach is one of the free activities available at Labadee, with several beach areas accessible at no cost. Cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and the island also provides umbrellas Fun-Filled Adventures at Labadee! However, for a more exclusive beach experience, guests can rent daybeds and cabanas at an additional fee. Beach strollers are also available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests seeking a more elevated beach day can opt for the premium areas, such as the private cabanas at Barefoot Beach, which are available to suite guests. Adventure Activities Labadee offers several adventure activities for thrill-seekers, including the Dragon’s Breath zip line, the longest overwater zip line in the world, and the Dragon’s Tail alpine coaster, which winds through the hills with stunning views of the island and ocean. These activities require an additional fee and have specific requirements, such as height and weight restrictions, and close-toed shoes must be worn for the zip line. Water Sports and Other Excursions Royal Caribbean provides various water sports and other excursion options at Labadee. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and parasailing. Additionally, boat tours and the famous Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the ocean, offer fun activities for families and adventurous travelers. As this is a private destination, all these activities must be booked through Royal Caribbean, and fees vary depending on the activity and season. Labadee’s unique combination of relaxing beach experiences and thrilling activities makes it a great stop for travelers seeking a free beach day as well as for those who are looking for a bit more adventure. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Wi-Fi at Labadee Interestingly, while Royal Caribbean offers Wi-Fi to cruisers who purchase the VOOM package on its other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this is not an option on Labadee.   Enjoying the mountain view of Labadee. Does the Drink Package Work at Labadee? Another thing that I love about Royal Caribbean’s approach to its private islands, compared to competing lines, is that they allow the use of its drink packages on these private islands, including Labadee, so cruisers can enjoy their favorite beverages without additional charges. The legal drinking age in Haiti is 18.  Sections of Labadee Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the northern coast of Haiti, is divided into several distinct areas, each offering unique experiences and amenities, which you can see on this Labadee map. Adrenaline Beach Adrenaline Beach is where you’ll find many of Labadee’s adventure experiences, including the aforementioned Dagon’s Breath Flight Line zip line. There are also opportunities for beach sports and water activities like jet skiing. Barefoot Beach Club Barefoot Beach Club is an exclusive area reserved for suite guests and Pinnacle-level members on the sailing. This tranquil section offers premium amenities, including more privacy, an upgraded buffet with gourmet food options, and dedicated service. It is ideal for those looking for a luxurious and serene beach experience. Access to this beach is complimentary for these guests, but for cruisers seeking even more privacy can rent a cabana at Barefoot Beach for an additional cost​, ranging from $295 to $495. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, so the cost of these varies based on demand and can even fluctuate on the same sailing

A vibrant dock scene featuring two large Royal Caribbean cruise ships docked side by side.
Bahamas, Coco Cay, Cruise Ports

The Perfect Day at CocoCay: Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Paradise

/

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas, offers a unique getaway for cruise passengers. This beautiful island, designed to provide the ultimate beach day experience, is a popular stop for many of Royal’s Caribbean cruises and is also used by Royal Caribbean’s sister brand, Celebrity. This massive island has multiple themed sectioned areas, including a water park. Because of its size, Royal Caribbean offers a continuously running shuttle to help cruisers traverse the different sections of the island. Check out this promo video from Royal Caribbean for a quick visual of what to expect at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean sometimes docks two ships here simultaneously, so if that’s the case on the day of your visit, you can expect it to obviously be substantially more crowded, as that may mean upwards of 10,000 guests at CocoCay simultaneously. Note that “cay” is generally pronounced “key” (although many cruisers get this wrong), but “Perfect Day at CoCo Key” doesn’t quite have the same flair to it, so in this case, most people call it “Perfect Day at CoCo Cay,” pronouncing the last word as “cay.” About CocoCay The Bahamas, a nation of islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. One of them, Little Stirrup Cay, is home to CocoCay. It’s a huge private island spanning approximately 140 acres, dedicated exclusively to the enjoyment of cruise passengers. The Bahamas, a nation of over 700 islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. CoCo Cay, a private island, provides a tailored experience for cruise guests. The cruise line reserves this private island solely for its passengers, ensuring a controlled and secure environment. Private islands like CocoCay and others like Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cays are reserved exclusively for cruise line passengers, providing a controlled and safe environment for relaxation and fun. It’s really nice to call upon a port where you don’t have to deal with aggressive local vendors hassling you right at the port to buy their goods. You also don’t have to arrange for transportation, figure out where to go and what to do, or book an expensive excursion. Those are the benefits of private islands, and that’s why I now even seek out itineraries that visit them. The swimming with the pigs excursion at CocoCay. Is CocoCay a Tender Port? I really like CocoCay for many reasons, and one of them is that unlike other cruise line private islands like Half Moon Cay, CocoCay is not a tender port. This means that cruisers avoid the tedious time-suck of taking a water shuttle 20-30 minutes each way from the cruise ship to the pier, and instead, they just step right out from the ship onto a pier. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Things to Do at CocoCay Because CocoCay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. If you’re visiting here, you can enjoy the following types of activities. Enjoy a Beach Day Enjoying a relaxing beach day is one of the free things to do at CocoCay, as many of the sections (more on that in a moment) are free for guest use. Additionally, cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and unlike other cruise line private islands, Royal Caribbean even provides umbrellas free of charge, although daybeds and cabanas are available to rent at an additional fee. Beach strollers are also available at no cost, but like loungers and other complimentary amenities, they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests seeking a more exclusive or elevated beach day experience can pay a fee to enjoy the specialty areas of Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club. Free kid-friendly activities at CocoCay include Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon, which are two splash pads designed specifically for children, and Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, covering three-quarters of an acre. Adventure Activities CocoCay provides some great adventure activities for cruisers seeking more adrenaline-pumping activities, including the Thrill Waterpark, Zipline, and the Up, Up, and Away balloon ride. Each activity requires an additional fee, varying by season and demand (and they can get quite expensive, especially the waterpark!), and has some specifications, such as height and weight requirements, and guests must wear close-toed shoes on the zipline. The Thrill Waterpark is a popular spot featuring North America’s tallest waterslide, Daredevil’s Peak, a wave pool, and numerous other exciting water slides. The zipline allows cruisers to soar over the island, covering 1,600 feet in three segments. The Up, Up, and Away balloon ride provides a unique experience, lifting guests 450 feet into the air for stunning aerial views. Royal Caribbean Excursions As noted above, because this is a private island, no independent or third-party excursions are available, only ones offered by Royal Caribbean. Adventure activities like the waterpark, zipline, and balloon ride are offered as excursion options, but others are also generally available. These include snorkeling, boat rides, jet skiing, and swimming with the pigs. I personally participated in the latter and loved the experience, although reviews on this one tend to be mixed, which I documented here. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Are CocoCay Cabana Rentals Worth it? Guests wanting a more private and luxurious experience at CocoCay can rent a private cabana to enhance the island experience. Each cabana provides unique amenities and varying levels of luxury (and varying costs, of course). Royal Caribbean offers these with dynamic pricing, meaning that the cost fluctuates depending on seasonality and demand. Chill Island Cabanas offer a relaxing retreat with sectional seating and beach loungers priced between $299 and $569. Oasis Lagoon Cabanas, located by the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, provide a similar setup with poolside access. For a more exclusive experience, Coco Beach Club Cabanas cost $949 to $1,599, including access to an infinity pool and upscale dining. The pinnacle of luxury is the Coco Beach

A light blue beach cabana with a sign that reads "GUINEP 2" stands against a clear blue sky.
Bahamas, Cruise Ports, Princess Cays

Princess Cays Private Island: Important Info to Know

/

Princess Cays (pronounced “key,” not “cays”) is located on the southern tip of Eleuthera in the Bahamas and is a pristine private island for cruisers. Princess Cays is owned by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, so you’ll find that Princess, Carnival, and Holland America Line call upon this private paradise. Of all the cruise line private islands, this one is admittedly my least favorite, and I’ll tell you why in a moment. Still, though, it has a lot to offer cruisers. Primarily, I love that it offers a FREE beach day experience that can even feel relaxing and serene if you make your way further down the beach to avoid the more crowded areas instead of clustering right near the entrance. The island spans over 40 acres, so it’s pretty huge. About Princess Cays Princess Cays is part of the Bahamas, an archipelago of over 700 islands renowned for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. I’ve visited many of them, and they’re all wonderful. The water is perfect, and the turquoise is so clear you can see straight through it. Princess Cays is no exception.  Is Princess Cays Rocky? Yes, the beach at Princess Cays is very rocky, and this is my biggest issue with it compared to the other cruise line private islands like MSC’s Ocean Cay and even Carnival’s other private island Half Moon Cay. While the water and beach are gorgeous, getting into the water can be frustrating (and painful!), as it’s rocky everywhere, although some areas are more so than others. So, I offer two bits of important advice to cruisers who plan to visit: Enjoying the gorgeous but rocky waters of Princess Cays. Bring a water float and/or snorkel gear. I always bring these things anyway to all beach destinations, but it’s especially important here, because Princess Cays is so rocky that it’s not the kind of place where you’ll want to just stand in the water. Bring water shoes like these. I personally dislike water shoes and find them ugly, bulky, and squishy, so I generally don’t bring them with me on cruises, but they’re almost a necessity at Princess Cays. Recently, I’ve started to embrace water socks, which also work. The area can also be very windy and gets a lot of direct sun, so these are two other factors to consider when planning your day here. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Is Princess Cays Worth It? Absolutely, Princess Cays is worth it. Although I find it the least desirable of all the cruise line private islands, it’s still a private island in the Bahamas, for crying out loud! You’ll still enjoy a great beach day with gorgeous sand and water and amazing snorkeling if that’s your thing. If you plan ahead with protective foot coverings and arrange for shade, you’ll be more likely to enjoy your day here.  Is Princes Cays a Tender Port? Princess Cays operates as a tender port, which means passengers are transported from the cruise ship to the island using smaller boats, and this tendering process takes about 20-30 minutes each way. I personally don’t like tender ports since the process can be tedious getting to and from the pier, and this is another reason that Princess Cays (while still great) just isn’t my favorite island. What I like about MSC’s Ocean Cay and Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay, in comparison, is that they have piers. While I’m generally not much of a fan of cruise line excursions, there’s an additional benefit to them when it comes to tender ports, and that is that the purchase of a cruise line excursion earns you the benefit of priority tendering, meaning you get to be the first people onto the water shuttles over to Princess Cays. If you’re not an early riser, this isn’t much benefit, but if you’re yearning to maximize your time on the island, this is the way to do it. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Arriving at the beautiful Princess Cay! Ready to explore and enjoy everything this stunning destination has to offer. Things to Do at Princess Cays Because Princess Cays is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. These excursions generally include activities like horseback riding in the surf, snorkeling, jet skiing, and other water activities. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here. Using loungers is free for cruise guests, and it’s really all you need for a good beach day experience. The only downside here is that the beach area gets a lot of direct sun, and umbrellas and clamshells are not free, so plan for this aspect. Umbrellas cost $25 to rent, and I’ll talk about clamshells in detail in a moment.   What to Bring to Princess Cays I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen and the aforementioned water shoes and floaties). Princess Cays is great for snorkeling; I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide to all sorts of snorkeling experiences. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people. I also recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. Princess Cays does have lockers available for rent, but they’re $10 per locker and not always conveniently located where you’re hanging out on the island. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and ship card. Also, don’t forget to bring your beach towels from the cruise ship! Related: Not sure about whether to pack beach towels? Here’s what you need to know.   Wi-Fi at Princess Cays Wi-Fi is not available on Princess Cays. It’s frustrating because even if you pay the high fees for cruise Wi-Fi, it does not work here (unlike at MSC’s Ocean Cay private island, where guests who pay for ship Wi-Fi

A woman in a green floral dress stands joyfully on a sandy beach with clear turquoise waters in the background.
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Half Moon Cay

Exploring Half Moon Cay: A Cruise Line Private Island Paradise

/

Half Moon Cay, or Little San Salvador Island, is a private paradise in the Bahamas exclusively for Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line passengers. This serene retreat offers the perfect spot for a relaxing beach day during your cruise. Note that “cay” is pronounced “key”. Of all the cruise line private islands, it’s one of my favorites. It offers not just a relaxing day at the beach with sugar-soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, but it’s FREE. Just note that Half Moon Cay is quite a large island, so don’t cluster right near the entrance of the beach, but get out a bit further to avoid the more crowded spaces. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. About Half Moon Cay Half Moon Cay is a private island in the Bahamas, primarily visited by Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line ships. This island covers around 2,400 acres, but only a small portion is developed for visitors, ensuring a natural and untouched environment. The Bahamas, a nation of over 700 islands, is known for its clear waters and sandy beaches. Private islands like Half Moon Cay and others like Princess Cays and CocoCay are reserved exclusively for cruise line passengers, providing a controlled and safe environment for relaxation and fun. It’s really nice to call upon a port where you don’t have to deal with aggressive local vendors hassling you right at the port to buy their goods. The sand and water at Half Moon Cay are known for their pristine quality.  You also don’t have to arrange for transportation, figure out where to go and what to do, or book an expensive excursion. Those are the benefits of private islands, and that’s why I now even seek out itineraries that visit them. If you want to get an idea of what Half Moon Cay looks like, you can get a great overview from this promo video from Carnival (it’s exactly the same, too, for Holland and Princess). Is Half Moon Cay a Tender Port? Half Moon Cay operates as a tender port, which means passengers are transported from the cruise ship to the island using smaller boats. This tendering process takes about 20-30 minutes each way. The beach here is one of the main attractions, featuring soft white sand and calm, inviting waters. I personally don’t like tender ports since the process can be tedious getting to and from the pier, but in this case, the process is well worth it. While I’m generally not much of a fan of cruise line excursions, there’s an additional benefit to them when it comes to tender ports, and that is that the purchase of a cruise line excursion earns you the benefit of priority tendering, meaning you get to be the first people onto the water shuttles over to Half Moon Cay. If you’re not an early riser, this isn’t much benefit, but if you’re yearning to maximize your time on the island, this is the way to do it. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days.  Things to Do at Half Moon Cay Because Half Moon Cay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. These excursions generally include activities like horseback riding in the surf, snorkeling, jet skiing, and other water activities. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here. Using loungers is free for cruise guests, and it’s really all you need for a good beach day experience. The only downside here is that the beach area gets a lot of direct sun, and umbrellas and clamshells are not free (more on that in a moment), so plan for this aspect.  What to Bring to Half Moon Cay I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen). Half Moon Cay is great for snorkeling; I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide to all sorts of snorkeling experiences. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people. I also recommend an inflatable float. Many recommend not bringing floats on cruises since they’re forbidden from cruise ship pools, but I disagree because these really enhance the beach day experience, and you don’t have to worry about renting a float or pool noodle. This is my favorite because it’s so compact and versatile. Finally, I recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. Half Moon Cay does have lockers available for rent, but they’re $10 per locker and not always conveniently located where you’re hanging out on the island. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and ship card. Also, don’t forget to bring your beach towels with you from the cruise ship! Related: Not sure about whether to pack beach towels? Here’s what you need to know. Half Moon Cay is a huge island, so get out and explore the less crowded areas. Wi-Fi at Half Moon Cay Wi-Fi is not available on Half Moon Cay. It’s frustrating because even if you pay the high fees for cruise Wi-Fi, it does not work here (unlike at MSC’s Ocean Cay private island, where guests who pay for ship Wi-Fi can also use island Wi-Fi at no cost). In fact, there is no Wi-Fi on Half Moon Cay at all, although some cell providers may have service. I have AT&T, and it works here, but of course, I have to pay my daily international roaming fee to access it. If it’s possible to disconnect, this is a great opportunity to do just that and enjoy the natural surroundings.  Does the Drink Package Work at Half Moon Cay? Some cruise lines allow the use of their drink packages on their private islands, but unfortunately, this is not the case here. Even if

Ocean Cay Cruise Tour
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Ocean Cay

What you need to know about Ocean Cay Marine Reserve 

/

Most of the major cruise lines own and market their own private islands; in some cases, these are not “islands” at all (I’m looking at you Royal Caribbean and Labadee). However, one private island that truly is both an island and private is MSC cruise line’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay has many great things to do, and you don’t need an excursion. Exclusive to MSC cruisers, this is one of my absolute private cruise line private islands. It’s not a tender port, so you exit immediately onto a short pier, and just a short distance from the ship is an amazing beach with sugar-white sands and turquoise waters. Towels are not provided, so be sure to bring yours from the ship. Related: 3 Things to Know About Cruise Ship Towels Ocean Cay Excursions Because Ocean Cay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to partake in an excursion (offerings include a lighthouse climb, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and snorkeling), you must book it directly through MSC. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here. Ocean Cay is expansive, with many locations and opportunities for snorkeling (I recommend you save money and bring your own gear). You can rent an umbrella or cabana, but I’ve never had a problem finding a shaded spot for free, and ample chairs are available for cruisers at no cost. If you branch out further from the port, you can escape the crowds, although due to the size of the island, this can be a bit of a hike. MSC does offer tram service, but it’s not particularly fast or efficient, and it does not take cruisers to all corners of the island. There is also a spa on the island if you’re looking for a day of relaxation, but these spots book fast in advance. Ocean Cay Weather Because Ocean Cay is in the Bahamas, the weather there is generally lovely year-round. I have noted, however, that this location seems to have quite a bit of wildlife activity. I’ve heard from other cruisers that there are often shark sightings, and on my most recent visit, the MSC marine biologists warned of a Portuguese Man o’War migration, so heed any warnings made by the cruise line. MSC has installed shark nets, or “shark barriers”, surrounding the beaches and lagoon entrances. Wi-Fi at Ocean Cay MSC does promote that their Wi-Fi works on the island, which would be a nice perk, but it has been spotty at best in my two visits there. They also promised complimentary food at Seaker’s Food Court, but they did not provide this on my recent sailing, likely because our docking was pushed back from 8 am to noon due to high winds. If you have a sailing that docks late or is delayed, don’t count on eating there. They have other snack bars with ice cream and other items for sale, which can be charged to your stateroom account. Another thing I love about Ocean Cay is that it is often a long port call, with no rush to get back on board. MSC often offers it as a two-day overnight option. If you’re fortunate enough to visit there overnight, MSC offers a fantastic nighttime beach party, with a complimentary lighthouse laser show that you won’t want to miss. Ocean Cay Time Zone Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time across all islands. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, The Bahamas recognizes Daylight Saving Time in conjunction with the U.S. Exploring Ocean Cay Featured Clothing: CharmLeaks Bikini in Pink

Sign up to Receive My Newsletter

Drop in your email here to catch up with all of my latest cruise updates and recommendations. As a special bonus, once you sign up you’ll receive my Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide FREE!

Subscription Form for body section

This will close in 0 seconds

Scroll to Top
Get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planning Guide

Sign up for my weekly cruiseletter for insider tips and info.