The Bahamas

Are Lookout Cay & Other Cruise Line Private Islands Worth It?

June 25, 2024
23 Comments
by Zach the Traveling Man
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Zach the Traveling Man

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    • by: @katcalico9142
    • 7 months ago

    I think it depends. I love them, but it is like a fully curated bubble. If you only go to private destinations, I do think you loose some charm and adventure. The best beach day type excursion I have ever had is when my BFF and I allowed ourselves to be “scammed” in Costa Maya (2022). It was amazing. That port is so crazy – by the time we figured out how to get to the taxis we were stressed and didn’t care anymore. I do not recommend doing this, it is not safe, but we had an amazing experience. They were so sweet, we were two women alone, and when we were ready to leave the manager type made sure we had a female taxi driver take us back to the ship, the price was more than fair, and to this day our favorite excursion (even though you entered through an ally and the bathrooms were not great).

    We asked to go to a certain restaurant that had been recommended and the driver was like $40 each, all inclusive let me take you, we were so worn down we just said fine. It was an amazing family run spot – not luxurious, you definitely entered through an alleyway between 2 hotels – but they were so nice and legitimately the best margarita I have ever had. Not once did we have to leave our lounge chairs to get a drink, service was great actually.

    • by: @kennywalker4091
    • 7 months ago

    Having a private island also comes in handy as more and more ports no longer want cruise ships or want diminished capacity cruise ships. Private islands can also be used as back up destinations when a port has hurricane damage an earthquake, civil unrest, or as lately with Ocho Rios; dock damage. One of my clients was amazed that Royal was going to have 2 private islands and I reminded her that Norwegian has had Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Cay (Belize) for years. There may be more, I haven't looked.

    • by: @FraserAtSea
    • 7 months ago

    I really enjoy the private island experience – they’re so much safer than a lot of the other ‘beachy’ islands that the ships call at. I also find they’re so well looked after – can’t wait to explore more of them!

    • by: @thetripod7
    • 7 months ago

    Not only do the cruiselines own and profit from these islands, but they are so close to Florida so they save money from the fuel by not having to go further away to other islands. It's very good business sense, besides they are a lot of fun to go to and most people seem to enjoy it.

    • by: @teresamagnusson8711
    • 7 months ago

    I love the private islands. I like booking cruises with them.

    • by: @matthews5538
    • 7 months ago

    I think this video was informative.

    • by: @kategibb5245
    • 7 months ago

    I like the private island/, destinations very much.The safety aspect is a big plus.Was due to go to Labadee with Celebrity later this year,but it's been cancelled because of the troubles in Haiti.

    • by: @TWSmith42
    • 7 months ago

    The private islands are worth a stop, yes. I like them. I wouldn't do a cruise that just went to a private island as I like to visit other cultures and countries. However, the safety and activities make a private island attractive, especially if your drinks package works there :).
    Thursday thoughts? I never could get the hang of Thursdays.

    • by: @eminiarvii
    • 7 months ago

    I think most of these are private destinations not private islands🚢🙂. No i will not book a cruise just because its on the itinerary. There are so many other destinations around the world i would rather go to. If it just happens to be on the itinerary of the cruise i want then thats ok too

    • by: @rhondalyn100
    • 7 months ago

    Having just returned from my very first cruise (Virgin/Valiant) I have to say I enjoyed the Bimini Beach Club much more than Costa Maya. I'm not a sun bunny so it's not so much the beautiful pools or ocean that attracts me, but I do like the laid back atmosphere among beautiful, well kept surroundings. And that turquoise water…so much the better! I was going to say I wouldn't book a cruise line specifically for their private island destination but the truth is I'm thinking of taking an MSC cruise just so I can visit Ocean Cay. It looks so serene and peaceful and, yes…safe. I look forward to more "Thursday Thoughts", Zach. It's always fun when creators host interesting conversations apart from cruise information.🙂

    • by: @bigguy1403
    • 7 months ago

    Well I'll be honest with you we've been to most of them and we like them especially the adult area at coco key from RC. It's nice when you don't feel like walking from shop to shop to shop when you can do it all in one place with an amazing pool and beach. The food is right there they bring it to your cabana and it's delicious. Can't ask for more. We also book it when the cruise is going there and we always get the drink package so it's perfect for us.

    • by: @grannyoffive1313
    • 7 months ago

    Love love love Thursday thoughts… Great idea…

    My husband and I very much enjoy the private islands… MSC Ocean CAY being our favorite… At this moment only one ship can dock there at a time and we love that…

    • by: @sarabearmcd9456
    • 7 months ago

    So NCL's island in Belize Harvest Caye is a really interesting partnership between the cruise line and the country. All the shops, restaurants, excursions, etc are all run by locals in exchange for allowing NCL to use and develop that stretch of land. So you pay out of pocket for everything but it goes to the local economy. And the pool is amazing!

    • by: @markfromlodz
    • 7 months ago

    I suppose it depends what you're cruising for and where you're coming from. As someone coming from Europe, I wouldn't want to trek halfway across the world just to see a beach and experience the same food you get on board (but covered in flies if those recent videos are anything to go by). But I can understand that if you're based in the US and you're just looking to get away from everyday life, then a short trip to such a destination would be fine. I wouldn't choose a trip because it featured on the itinerary, but I wouldn't exclude it either.

    • by: @Steven-er2bt
    • 7 months ago

    Hey Zach, thanks again for another great video! To be honest, we were on a cruise that was scheduled to a private island and that port was cancelled due to rough seas and second that was to stop a Bimini, but bypassed due to a medical emergency. That said, we do have a future cruise that goes to Bimini so we'll look into Resorts World.

    • by: @daveduffy2823
    • 7 months ago

    They need somewhere to park those giant ships they’re building.

    • by: @nikkib6604
    • 7 months ago

    Funny, i have been on 12 cruises and have only been to Great Stirrup Cay 3xs ! No other islands. I definitely want to try the Virgin' private island , Great CoCoCay, and MSC island. They are fun to go to but only when added to a great itinerary.

    • by: @alphonsopotts4399
    • 7 months ago

    Thanks for the video Zach. I haven't been to a private island yet, however scheduled for a Princess Cays stop in December. I was a little unsure if I'd even get off the ship, however it seems like it's definitely worth checking out! Appreciate your perspective!

    • by: @deang1004
    • 7 months ago

    The continued growth of the 5000+ ships will make these more common and the huge ships will be more narrowly focused on them. Juneau just missed voting for cruise free Saturdays.

    For me, the fact that the lines WANT to control my experience is a minus.

    Also, there are new models out there where the host countries are making demands on the lines. Foe NCL, one of their private destinations is covered by the cruise drinks and food plans, the other is not. The host country demanded local businesses have a role.

    • by: @dianeroper1891
    • 7 months ago

    On my first cruise ever back in 1986, NCL's SS Norway (since dismantled), we had a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, and it was genius, one of the best days of the cruise. I'll never forget that.😊

    • by: @terrybriggs4493
    • 7 months ago

    I’m an NCL cruiser and love Great Stirrup Cay, Harvest Caye not so much. The main reason is that all of the food and drinks are included at Great Stirrup Cay. I don’t want to spend a whole day on a cruise line owned island and have to pay additional for what is included on the ship.

    • by: @rachaelhicks8235
    • 7 months ago

    I would book a cruise just to visit the private island. My favorite experience when I cruised on Wonder of the Seas.

    • by: @yourlocaleggdealer
    • 7 months ago

    My family teases me that they never want go on a cruise with me if it's supposed to go to a private island. I think five times now (on three different lines) I've been on cruises that were scheduled to visit private islands and something went wrong every single time. The closest I ever got was seeing Castaway Cay way off in the distance. I have a private island curse.

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