Latest news with #PerfectDay
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Incredible private islands you can only visit on a cruise including Disney spot
Cruise lines have their own private islands for guests to enjoy - take a look at four seriously bucket list-worthy destinations you'll want on your radar The appeal of cruise holidays has traditionally focused on visiting a wide variety of places. But an increasing number of firms are choosing to drop anchor at exclusive destinations in idyllic locations. Private island stops are becoming a highlight of itineraries, with big players investing heavily in castaway cays reserved for their guests. Holland America Line, part of the Carnival Group, recently revealed a revamp of their popular Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. A new pier will allow more ships to dock at the destination – soon to be named RelaxAway island, hinting at the investment planned for more laid back leisure facilities. Other lines have equally big ideas. Expanding beyond The Bahamas – where most island escapes have been based to date – Royal Caribbean is hoping to develop a new Perfect Day project in Mexico (due to open in 2027), while MSC has announced plans for an Abu Dhabi private island experience in the Middle East. And why not? – discovering a secret island is, after all, the stuff of childhood dreams. Here are some of the fantasy islands where it's already possible to set sail. Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas In 1977, this was the first island to be bought by a company solely for their guests. Norwegian Cruise Line has built a resort with bars and restaurants over the years and there are still more developments to come in the 268-acre tropical oasis. You can book guided snorkelling tours around a marine sanctuary, or rent equipment for parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing. For families, there's an aqua park with inflatable water obstacles. Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean has invested in a private patch of a peninsula on the northern coast of Cuba's neighbour, Haiti. Set against plunging coastal cliffs, a choice of beaches ranges from the peaceful Columbus Cove to the livelier Adrenaline Beach. For thrill-seekers, there's a chance to jump on a roller coaster or try the world's longest overwater zip line. Unlike many private locations, interactions with local communities are possible at an artisan market and a cultural programme highlighting Haitian history and traditions is in the works. Despite its popularity, the edgy destination is marred by unrest. Recently, stops were temporarily suspended due to 'an abundance of caution' although it's hoped they will resume in the future. Castaway Cay, The Bahamas Around 30 miles north of NCL's private paradise is Disney's answer to a magical far-flung tropical kingdom. Although there are currently no Pirates of the Caribbean in this Atlantic cay, secluded coves were once used by the likes of Blackbeard in the 18th century. During the US Prohibition, the island served as a smuggling base and in the 1970s its airstrips were used by drug runners. A £18.5million investment transformed it in the mid-1990s, including a channel allowing ships to dock. Expect themed environments and areas dedicated to different age groups, including the adults-only Serenity Bay. Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Carnival Corporation invested £63million to develop this site near Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. Princess Cruises and Holland America guests can visit, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus who landed here in 1492. Extending from a hillside, zip lines traverse the port complex and there's a 25,000 square-foot pool area with a swim-up bar, water slides, and private cabanas. The island is part of the mainland, but the private area has a big advantage over island escapes when it comes to exploring and interacting with communities.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean and Carnival are racing to grow their private islands and resorts. Here's how their new cruise destinations compare.
Large cruise lines are expanding their collections of private islands and resorts. Royal Caribbean has been a leader with its themepark-like island. Now, competitors like Carnival are coming. Here's how Carnival's Celebration Key and Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico compare. Royal Caribbean might need to post a lookout from its theme park-like private island: Its biggest competitor is steaming straight ahead. Carnival is set to open a multi-complex resort, Celebration Key, in July on the Grand Bahama Island. And it'll be packed with amenities that so far have been decidedly Royal Caribbean's turf: water slides, swim-up bars, and pay-to-enter clubs. It's not alone: Almost every major cruise company is rushing to develop its collection of private destinations. Norwegian is building a pier and new resort-like amenities at its Caribbean island, Great Stirrup Cay. And MSC is building a second, smaller island next to its first, Ocean Cay. They all come on the heels of Royal Caribbean's wildly successful island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which arguably kickstarted the cruise-to-resort boom when it launched in 2019. Royal Caribbean has invested $350 million into enhancing the island with features like a ticketed adult-only lounge. Emphasis on "ticketed" — it's a key reason cruise companies are expanding their resort portfolios. These in-house warm-weather retreats both maximize profits and reduce fuel expenditure due to their proximity to Florida's major look at how Royal Caribbean and Carnival are going head-to-head with their coming destinations. undefined Celebration Key and Perfect Day Mexico: sisters, not twins. Both cruise-owned resorts are intended to be complimentary to enter. But it's not all free: Guests will encounter add-on fees for different amenities. They'll also each have more than 30 food and beverage options scattered throughout different districts, designed for different travelers. At both resorts, five segments are fairly comparable: an arrivals area, a premium club, stretches of beaches, an adult-only lounge, and a laid-back family-friendly pool. Only Carnival's Celebration Key plans to have a shopping district. The open-air retail center, called Lokono Cove, is set to carry a variety of gift shop inventory made by local Bahamian artists. Royal Caribbean says Perfect Day Mexico will also sell locally made souvenirs, although it's unclear where these stores will be. Similarly, only Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico is expected to have a complete waterpark. Royal Caribbean is recreating Perfect Day at CocoCay's best amenity — its 14-slide waterpark, which can cost about $100 per person to enter — at Perfect Day Mexico. Plans for the new Loco Waterpark span over 30 rides, including a six-person raft slide and two 170-foot-tall, over two-minute-long racing slides. There will also be a kids' section and various pools for the youngest guests. Carnival's Celebration Key isn't expected to have a waterpark, although the company does say its family pool, Starfish Lagoon, will have a children's water play area and two 350-foot-long, 10-story-tall slides. Starfish Lagoon is Carnival's take on a kid-friendly resort pool. In addition to the water amenities, Carnival says Starfish Lagoon will have outdoor games and sports, a swim-up bar, hammocks, and both floating and on-land cabanas — all centered on a large pool. Royal Caribbean's family area, Splash Cove, should look drastically different — and lazier. In addition to a 100,000-square-foot pool and a water playground, Perfect Day Mexico's Splash Cove is said to have the cruise line's first lazy river, dotted with in-water bars, rentable cabanas, and a high-energy path with waves and rapids. Looking for an escape from the kids? Royal Caribbean promises El Hideaway — and Carnival promotes Calypso Lagoon. Calypso Lagoon shares Starfish Lagoon's large pool and sports amenities. To make it grown-up-friendly, its plans also include a bar with 50 swinging seats and an adult-only section marked by a DJ, plenty of lounge chairs, and, of course, rentable cabanas. Both Calypso and Starfish share a mile-long beach. Perfect Day Mexico's beach is set to be about twice as long. Unlike Calypso Lagoon, Perfect Day Mexico's adult-only El Hideaway would require a day pass (likely with a fee) to enter. Once inside, Royal Caribbean says guests will have amenities like a swim-up bar, a DJ, and a rentable 20-person cabana with a private pool and bar. If you want to spend big, pay for the premium beach clubs: Perfect Day Mexico's Costa and Celebration Key's Pearl Cove. Perfect Day Mexico's Costa Beach Club and Celebration Key's Pearl Cove Beach Club are expected to operate as upscale waterfront lounges with high-end restaurants and infinity pools. Carnival's is meant to be adult-only. Both resorts could become the centerpiece of their cruise lines' itineraries. Carnival says it will continue expanding Celebration Key after its July debut, including building a $100 million pier extension to simultaneously accommodate four of its largest ships by 2026. Almost all of the company's vessels are currently scheduled to visit Celebration Key. By 2028, Carnival says the resort will be capable of welcoming 4 million travelers annually. Similarly, Cruise Critic reported that Perfect Day Mexico will be able to accommodate up to 21,000 guests daily. And by 2027, 90% of Royal Caribbean's Caribbean guests will sail to a Perfect Day resort: CocoCay, Mexico, or both. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Video: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas clears sea trials
Video: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas clears sea trials originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean created a new standard for megaships. It built a new class completely from scratch. The cruise line started with a blank piece of paper and considered every aspect of the the end, Icon did bring back some features from earlier classes, like the redesigned Central Park and the Royal Promenade, but it was a very unique ship. Now, its sister ship, Star of the Seas, is getting close to its first sailing. "Sailing one step closer to its debut, Royal Caribbean's highly anticipated Star of the Seas has taken to the open ocean for the first time. This week, the next combination of the best of every vacation embarked on a series of sea trials, marking a key construction milestone before the new Icon Class ship makes its way to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, for its August 2025 debut," the cruise line shared on its webpage. A sea trial is a very comprehensive test. "Over 11 days, more than 2,000 experts from the naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design spaces are putting Star to the test across a wide range of technical examinations to ensure it's in ship shape," it added. "From testing how the ship moves through the open water to pushing its engine performance to the limits and more, Star's journey will cover hundreds of miles before the ship enters its final phase of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Caribbean's Star of the Seas clears sea trials (0:45) Royal Caribbean has not shared who the godfather will be for Star of the Seas or when it will have its official naming ceremony. Because the ship is actually arriving early, it will sail three pre-inaugural sailings in August with paying passengers before its actual inaugural sailing. The cruise line shared some hype on its upcoming ship. "Doubling the world's best vacation count this summer, Star will deliver more of the revolutionary Icon Class combination introduced by Icon, with new twists and signature favorites. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, there are ways for families and vacationers of all ages to make memories with a lineup of thrills — like the fastest and tallest waterslides, unrivaled chill at seven pools for every vibe and mood, and more than 40+ ways to dine, drink, and be entertained. Plus, adventurers can island-hop on 7-night vacations visiting Eastern or Western Caribbean destinations, including the vacation brand's top-rated destination at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas." Every Star of the Seas trip from Port Canaveral will stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean has made it clear that it will not call Star of the Seas "The World's Largest Cruise Ship," although it's technically the same size as Icon, which has made that claim. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas to finally sail in August — destination, departure date, and bookings nearly full
It takes time to plan the ultimate vacation, particularly for Royal Caribbean enthusiasts who circle their calendars the minute a new ship is available for reservation. But for those willing to wait to be the first to board the Star of the Seas , the cruise company's highly anticipated new Icon Class vessel , things haven't exactly gone according to plan, as per a report. While, Royal Caribbean has continually rescheduled the ship's launch schedule, it now added multiple short showcase sailings before the inaugural cruise , according to The Street. A rocky ride to break in In December 2023, when reservations became available for the Star of the Seas, enthusiasts did not hesitate to reserve places on what was then advertised as the inaugural official sailing, a seven-night voyage that would depart on August 17, 2025, as per the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Riobamba: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo But Royal Caribbean subsequently postponed the maiden voyage for two weeks, attributing it to a delay in the delivery of the ship and moving the inaugural cruise to August 31, according to The Street. ALSO READ: Donald Trump's policies are bad—then good? Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang flip-flops within minutes after Q1 results Live Events Showcase Sailings Stir Mixed Emotions Instead of cancelling the original August 17 departure, Royal Caribbean introduced two shorter "showcase sailings" to precede it, as per The Street. For cruisers who had missed out on the initial booking, the news was a pleasant surprise, but for those who had carefully planned their holidays around being the first on board, it left them scrambling, according to the report. A few of the guests opted to transfer their reservations to the new earlier departures, hoping to still be aboard first, as per The Street. Royal Caribbean even added another short showcase sailing on the ship departing on August 20, according to the report. The cruise line said, 'To officially kick off our inaugural season, we have added in an additional 4-Night Star Showcase Cruise to Perfect Day [at CocoCay] on August 16, 2025, because we simply can't wait to debut the world's best family vacation ,' quoted The Street. August 31 Remains the Official Maiden Voyage According to the report, the August 31 Star of the Seas cruise will still be the first full-length sailing and will be considered the inaugural voyage, there will be a total of four short showcase sailings happening before it. FAQs What are 'showcase sailings'? They're shorter preview cruises added before the main inaugural voyage, giving guests a chance to experience the ship early. How many showcase sailings are there now? There are now four short showcase sailings before the August 31 cruise.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Royal Caribbean and Carnival are racing to grow their private islands and resorts. Here's how their new cruise destinations compare.
Large cruise lines are expanding their collections of private islands and resorts. Royal Caribbean has been a leader with its themepark-like island. Now, competitors like Carnival are coming. Here's how Carnival's Celebration Key and Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico compare. Royal Caribbean might need to post a lookout from its theme park-like private island: Its biggest competitor is steaming straight ahead. Carnival is set to open a multi-complex resort, Celebration Key, in July on the Grand Bahama Island. And it'll be packed with amenities that so far have been decidedly Royal Caribbean's turf: water slides, swim-up bars, and pay-to-enter clubs. It's not alone: Almost every major cruise company is rushing to develop its collection of private destinations. Norwegian is building a pier and new resort-like amenities at its Caribbean island, Great Stirrup Cay. And MSC is building a second, smaller island next to its first, Ocean Cay. They all come on the heels of Royal Caribbean's wildly successful island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which arguably kickstarted the cruise-to-resort boom when it launched in 2019. Royal Caribbean has invested $350 million into enhancing the island with features like a ticketed adult-only lounge. Emphasis on "ticketed" — it's a key reason cruise companies are expanding their resort portfolios. These in-house warm-weather retreats both maximize profits and reduce fuel expenditure due to their proximity to Florida's major ports. Let's look at how Royal Caribbean and Carnival are going head-to-head with their coming destinations. Carnival and Royal Caribbean each have at least one destination scheduled to debut in 2025. In addition to its private island, Royal Caribbean is building two pay-to-enter "Royal Beach Clubs" on Paradise Island, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico. They're set to open in 2025 and 2026. There's also another beach destination on Lelepa, Vanuatu, that's set to open in 2027, and a second Perfect Day that's set for 2027, too. CocoCay, which is the model for these planned Royal destinations, operates less like an untouched island and more like a Caribbean resort with pay-to-enter clubs, waterslides, and upscale lounges. None of Carnival's private ports, including its RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay island, are as flashy or theme park-like as its competitor — that is, until Celebration Key is set to open in July. Celebration Key and Perfect Day Mexico: sisters, not twins. Both cruise-owned resorts are intended to be complimentary to enter. But it's not all free: Guests will encounter add-on fees for different amenities. They'll also each have more than 30 food and beverage options scattered throughout different districts, designed for different travelers. At both resorts, five segments are fairly comparable: an arrivals area, a premium club, stretches of beaches, an adult-only lounge, and a laid-back family-friendly pool. Only Carnival's Celebration Key plans to have a shopping district. The open-air retail center, called Lokono Cove, is set to carry a variety of gift shop inventory made by local Bahamian artists. Royal Caribbean says Perfect Day Mexico will also sell locally made souvenirs, although it's unclear where these stores will be. Similarly, only Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico is expected to have a complete waterpark. Royal Caribbean is recreating Perfect Day at CocoCay's best amenity — its 14-slide waterpark, which can cost about $100 per person to enter — at Perfect Day Mexico. Plans for the new Loco Waterpark span over 30 rides, including a six-person raft slide and two 170-foot-tall, over two-minute-long racing slides. There will also be a kids' section and various pools for the youngest guests. Carnival's Celebration Key isn't expected to have a waterpark, although the company does say its family pool, Starfish Lagoon, will have a children's water play area and two 350-foot-long, 10-story-tall slides. Starfish Lagoon is Carnival's take on a kid-friendly resort pool. In addition to the water amenities, Carnival says Starfish Lagoon will have outdoor games and sports, a swim-up bar, hammocks, and both floating and on-land cabanas — all centered on a large pool. Royal Caribbean's family area, Splash Cove, should look drastically different — and lazier. In addition to a 100,000-square-foot pool and a water playground, Perfect Day Mexico's Splash Cove is said to have the cruise line's first lazy river, dotted with in-water bars, rentable cabanas, and a high-energy path with waves and rapids. Looking for an escape from the kids? Royal Caribbean promises El Hideaway — and Carnival promotes Calypso Lagoon. Calypso Lagoon shares Starfish Lagoon's large pool and sports amenities. To make it grown-up-friendly, its plans also include a bar with 50 swinging seats and an adult-only section marked by a DJ, plenty of lounge chairs, and, of course, rentable cabanas. Both Calypso and Starfish share a mile-long beach. Perfect Day Mexico's beach is set to be about twice as long. Unlike Calypso Lagoon, Perfect Day Mexico's adult-only El Hideaway would require a day pass (likely with a fee) to enter. Once inside, Royal Caribbean says guests will have amenities like a swim-up bar, a DJ, and a rentable 20-person cabana with a private pool and bar. If you want to spend big, pay for the premium beach clubs: Perfect Day Mexico's Costa and Celebration Key's Pearl Cove. Perfect Day Mexico's Costa Beach Club and Celebration Key's Pearl Cove Beach Club are expected to operate as upscale waterfront lounges with high-end restaurants and infinity pools. Carnival's is meant to be adult-only. Both resorts could become the centerpiece of their cruise lines' itineraries. Carnival says it will continue expanding Celebration Key after its July debut, including building a $100 million pier extension to simultaneously accommodate four of its largest ships by 2026. Almost all of the company's vessels are currently scheduled to visit Celebration Key. By 2028, Carnival says the resort will be capable of welcoming 4 million travelers annually. Similarly, Cruise Critic reported that Perfect Day Mexico will be able to accommodate up to 21,000 guests daily. And by 2027, 90% of Royal Caribbean's Caribbean guests will sail to a Perfect Day resort: CocoCay, Mexico, or both.
