Seven of the best cruises to private islands

Times

18-05-2025

A private island or an exclusive beach resort is an enticing lure on big-ship sailings to the Bahamas and beyond. Cruise fans can't get enough of these custom-designed playgrounds, which offer a hassle-free beach day that's essentially an extension of the ship — no crime, usually cash-free and no hostility about overtourism. Call it sanitised, but this is the future of Caribbean cruising, with islands being added all the time. Here are seven to look out for.
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Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises share the 125-acre Perfect Day at CocoCay, at the northern tip of the Berry Islands chain in the Bahamas and packed with superlatives. Families with young kids will love the Oasis Lagoon, the biggest freshwater lagoon pool in the Caribbean, while teens will probably make a beeline for the waterpark and Daredevil's Peak, one of the tallest waterslides in North America. A zip line, a wave pool and a tethered hot air balloon add to the thrills. There are various beaches — South beach is relatively quiet; the adults-only Hideaway beach has an all-day party vibe with DJs. Coco Beach Club is the poshest area, with Bora Bora-style overwater cabanas, each with a slide into the sea.Details Three nights' full board on Celebrity Reflection's Bahamas and Perfect Day cruise from £292pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on March 20, 2026 (celebritycruises.com). Fly to Miami
Hats off to MSC Cruises for its conservation efforts in converting a derelict sand-extraction site into a private island. On Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, about 20 miles south of Bimini, 75,000 plants have been established and more than 400 new sections of coral gardens created. That loggerhead turtles and other species have returned to the site is testament to the success of the project. Activities include snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and watching the nightly Junkanoo parade, a traditional and colourful celebration of Bahamian culture. But there are no lagoon pools or waterslides here. The ship's crew have their own beach too.Details Seven nights' full board on MSC Seascape's Bahamas and Caribbean cruise from £778pp, including tips, departing from Miami on June 29 (msccruises.co.uk). Fly to Miami
Another Bahamian paradise, between Eleuthera and Cat Island, Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay is a perfect crescent of white sand on the northwest side of Little San Salvador Island, between Eleuthera and Cat Island. Little San Salvador Island almost completely encircles the protected, 700-acre Bonefish Lagoon. There are extra thrills to be had from knowing that this was once a pirate hangout. This is a more low-key cay, with much of the island left to nature. There is snorkelling, kayaking on the lagoon, horse riding on the beach, cycling and nature walks on which you can try to spot the 40 species of bird that frequent the island. Rent a cabana, tuck into rolls from the Lobster Shack or send a postcard home from the tiny post office.Details Seven nights' full board on Nieuw Statendam's Eastern Caribbean cruise from £929pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on December 13 (hollandamerica.com). Fly to Miami
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If French Polynesia weren't idyllic enough, Le Paul Gauguin, part of the French-owned Ponant line, has a private motu, or islet in the Society Islands, off the coast of sleepy Taha'a, which forms a bottle-green backdrop to a landscape of bone-white sand and topaz sea. Your day playing castaway is blissfully low-key. Snorkel, kayak, play beach volleyball, learn how to open a coconut or join a pareu-tying workshop. There are also massages in an overwater pavilion, as well as a beach barbecue and a floating bar serving cocktails.Details Seven nights' all-inclusive on Ponant's Tahiti and the Society Islands cruise from £4,580pp, departing from Papeete on August 23 (uk.ponant.com). Fly to Papeete
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A stretch of beach, rather than an island, the 40-acre Princess Cays is on the southwestern side of long, skinny Eleuthera. There's a focus on sustainability here, from providing local farmers with select waste for animal feed to donating cooking oil to the community for biofuel. The souvenirs in the craft market are locally made too. Activities include snorkelling and kayaking, catch-and-release fishing, dune-buggy safaris and climbing the observation tower for views across the island. A lavish beach barbecue is included, while jauntily coloured beach huts are available to rent from £186.Details Seven nights' full board on Star Princess's Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas cruise from £649pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 22 (princess.com). Fly to Miami
Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye, one of two private resorts operated by the cruise line, is a 75-acre sliver of palm-shaded sand off the coast of Placencia on Belize, fringed by mangroves and with access for snorkellers to the corals of the Belize Barrier Reef. There are seven acres of sand on which to play, a zip line, a wildlife sanctuary and a huge, free-form pool. You can rent kayaks, bikes and paddleboards at extra cost or splurge £317pp on a private cabana. All the concessions here — from the bars and restaurants to the Moho chocolate shop — are locally run, so there's more engagement with the local community, but you'll need to bring cash.Details Seven nights' full board on Norwegian Escape's Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye cruise from £949pp, departing from Miami on June 1 (ncl.com). Fly to Miami
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Disney Cruise Line has Castaway Cay and last year opened a private resort at the tip of Eleuthera — the 900-acre Lookout Cay Lighthouse Point, where the emphasis is on sustainability and Bahamian culture. Less than 20 per cent of the land has been developed, leaving much of the space to nature, and Bahamians can use the facilities too. The beach is a seemingly endless expanse of pinky-white sand, with areas for families and Serenity Bay beach, for adults only. There's a cultural centre with twice-daily joncanoe shows, as well as children's play areas and appearances by Disney characters. Details Three nights' full board on Disney Dream's Bahamian Cruise from £684pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on September 5 (disneycruise.disney.go.com). Fly to Miami