Carnival Cruise Line Opens Itineraries to New Private Destination

Table Of Content

• Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (MSC Cruises)
• CCL's Carnival Spirit ship welcomes first passengers from Mobile, Alabama
• CCL-Carnival opens 2025-2026 Caribbean schedule with new itineraries from Galveston TX
• DISCOVER PARADISE IN OUR NEW EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION

While Half Moon Cay and Great Stirrup Cay remain the flagship private islands of Carnival Cruise Line, the company has also collaborated with other cruise lines to offer shared destinations. For example, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic is a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and the Port Authority of Puerto Plata. This destination offers a blend of cultural experiences, water-based activities, and relaxation opportunities for cruise passengers. All cruise line private islands feature alfresco bars, souvenir shops and beach equipment rentals. Some islands also offer amusements like zip lines and water parks, kiddie play areas and rental cabanas of varying levels of luxury. Available shore excursions may include options like swimming with stingrays, jet ski rides and snorkeling.

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (MSC Cruises)

These attractions feature high-speed water slides, winding rivers, and interactive water play areas designed to provide endless fun and excitement for all ages. Be sure to book guided water sports before your cruise (via the cruise line’s online planner) for the best availability. Plans have been approved by the Bahamian government for a new port and pier to be built. To recoup these lost stops, cruise lines can just turn to their in-house destinations — outfitted with up-charged amenities like waterparks and desirable beachfront villas. Beach YourselfThe most popular pastime of all on a cruise has to be beach time, and Princess Cays does not disappoint in this department.

CCL's Carnival Spirit ship welcomes first passengers from Mobile, Alabama

Grand Turk is the capital island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re looking for a blend of scenic beauty and historic charm, Grand Turk delivers. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #halfmooncay — you may see them right here.

CCL-Carnival opens 2025-2026 Caribbean schedule with new itineraries from Galveston TX

Explore more of the island along a winding trail to the highest point for panoramic views. On the return trip you can ride the horses through the shallow waters in a thrilling beach ride. Half Moon Cay has a contrasting mix of green vegetation, white sand and blue sea. Out of the 2400 acres of natural beauty, only 2% ( about 50 acres) has been developed, leaving at least 2350 acres of indigenous flora and fauna to explore. Half Moon Cay is frequently visited by Holland America cruise ships and some Carnival cruise ships.

From water sports and adventure activities to serene relaxation spots and cultural encounters, there is something to suit every guest’s preference, ensuring a truly memorable and enriching vacation. Guests can indulge in a delicious beachside barbecue, savoring mouthwatering grilled seafood, meats, and tropical fruits. Various beach bars and drink stations are strategically located, offering refreshing beverages, including tropical cocktails, soft drinks, and water, to quench guests’ thirst under the warm Caribbean sun. In addition to the beaches, Carnival’s private islands boast a variety of water-based activities.

Longer Sailing Options

Take a dip in the azure blue waters, or try your hand at Snuba™, a mix of scuba diving and snorkeling. Water lovers can swim, snorkel or sail the shallow island waters, or saddle up for a horseback ride by land and sea. If you just want to relax, nab one of the luxury cabanas on the beachfront and order up a tall, tropical cocktail. For water fun, spend the day at the beach or pool, go paddleboarding, swim with the dolphins or head to the Damajagua Cascades, where you can slide down waterfalls into natural, crystal clear pools.

Look forward to shopping for souvenirs, local crafts, and beachwear at the Straw Market, visit the watersports center, go horse riding on the beach or book a treatment at the Half Moon Salon. Young visitors can enjoy the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park with slides and pirate ship. Upgrade your day with access to the Adults-Only Private Club Portal, the exclusive area that takes relaxation and luxury to the next level. Membership features private access to the beach, a stunning infinity pool overlooking the best views of Bahamian waters, elevated dining to savor and more.

You only have half a day at Half Moon Cay so make sure to see the beach during the port visit. Loved swimming and running along the crystal clear blue waters and white sand beach. The island is built on 45 acres along the crescent-shaped beach with more than a mile in length that fronts on a protected bay leading west to Exuma Sound.

Beaches on Princess Cays

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Imagine a private island and all the goodies that come with it — white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, sunshine and tropical cocktails. You can experience any of the private islands below just by taking Carnival™ cruise. Found just a few miles offshore from Placencia, Belize, the 75-acre property offers both a beach with loungers and private villas, and a lagoon pool with a swim-up bar, lounge chairs and private cabanas. The island also features shops selling local wares, a zip line, a lighthouse that you can climb, a kids splash park and a wildlife sanctuary that includes birds, butterflies and snakes. For those seeking a more active experience, a range of activities and watersports await.

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Animal lovers may have the opportunity to snap a selfie with Ted, the island’s absolutely adorable resident donkey. When it comes to drinking and dining on Half Moon Cay, there are several options. Per the travel advisor, those seeking extra seclusion along the sand should walk further down the beach area. Oftentimes, “the further you walk away from the tender area, the more secluded the beach becomes,” Formby explains. Beach volleyball and basketball courts are another popular attraction, allowing guests to engage in friendly competition with fellow passengers or even with the cruise staff. These sports facilities provide opportunities for active pursuits and social interaction.

The story of Carnival Cruise Line’s private islands dates back to the late 1980s when the cruise line purchased a small, uninhabited island in The Bahamas. This island, known as Little San Salvador Island, became the first private destination owned by Carnival Cruise Line, later renamed as Half Moon Cay. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.

Some of the bars do allow smoking, so keep an eye out for ashtrays on the bar if you’d like to avoid secondhand smoke. On the south side, you’ll find Sea Breeze Grill, located just over the bridge. When you pre-pay for rentals, you’ll have a ticket delivered to your stateroom that you can redeem at the rental desk. Located just steps from the ocean, it gives families a saltwater-free option while still allowing them to enjoy taking in the famous turquoise water views. There is also Lookout Bar, a more tranquil spot, on the opposite side of the island from the beach. Guests seeking something different may be interested in the Lobster Shack, not to be confused with the New England-style Seafood Shack onboard ships, it has a different menu.

We had wondered if excursions on a Carnival private island were worth it, but by all accounts, they are. Also known as Little San Salvador Island, this private island is one of 700 islands in the Bahamas. The only way to get to the island is to take a tender boat from the ship to the island. On the south end of the Island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas lies Princess Cays, a Carnival cruise to this private resort offers pristine beaches and over a half a mile of silky, white-sand coastline. If you’re an animal lover, you can ride horses on the beach and into the sea, swim with dolphins or interact with Honduran pirates, birds and monkeys at Gumbalimba Park. If you’re a certified scuba diver, the waters off Anthony’s Key offer a magnificent coral reef adventure, or you can head inland and explore the jungle of Roatan by ATV.

Water conservation is a vital aspect of Carnival’s environmental initiatives on the private islands. The cruise line has implemented measures to minimize water usage through the installation of water-efficient fixtures and systems. Furthermore, Carnival promotes responsible water use among guests and encourages them to help conserve water during their visit to the private islands. One of the key initiatives implemented by Carnival is the protection and preservation of marine life and coral reefs surrounding the private islands. The cruise line educates guests about the importance of marine conservation and encourages responsible snorkeling and diving practices to minimize any damage to these sensitive ecosystems. Facilities such as shopping areas, souvenir shops, and photo opportunities are also available on the islands, allowing guests to take home tokens of their memorable vacation.

Carnival Cruise Line cabins and suite guide: Everything to know

Table Of Content

• Walkway View Interior Cabin
• Inside Cabin
• HAVANA CABANA CORNER SUITE
• Cabin Bathrooms on Carnival Jubilee

Each category has their own set of pros and cons, meaning that you'll have to weigh your options to determine what works best for you and your travel party. For the cruiser that wants a peek outside without the price tag of an oceanview cabin, the porthole cabin has the same amenities as an oceanview cabin, with two twin beds, convertible to a king. It has the same amenities as an oceanview cabin, with a little less space. Instead of two twin-size convertible beds, this cabin has one twin bed and one bunk bed or sleeper sofa. On older Carnival ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are far fewer balcony cabins. Fewer than 10% of cabins on the line's two oldest vessels, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, are balcony cabins.

Walkway View Interior Cabin

Jubilee’s 181 suites offer a good variety, especially for those who want to test out whether a suite is right for them. The ship’s lowest-level (and most-popular) suites are its Ocean Suites. The term “family room” brings to mind that comfy place where kids and parents can do the all-important work of having fun simply being together.

Inside Cabin

Below are shown the layouts of the Anthem ship's Deluxe and Accessible balcony cabins. Premium Balcony (9B, 9C) and Extended Balcony cabins (8N, 8M) have twin beds convertible to queen, ample closet/storage space, bathroom (shower), living area. Some (C staterooms have an additional sofa bed for 3rd person. These staterooms have 50% larger balconies, 3 closets (in all grades balcony rooms), full bathroom (shower). All grades balcony accommodations feature a private step-out balcony with sliding glass doors (table, patio chairs). All Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself.

HAVANA CABANA CORNER SUITE

Select ships also have forward and aft-view balconies that come with more outdoor space and some unique views that port and starboard rooms cannot provide. In comparison, Carnival's newest Excel Class ships tend to have around over 700 interior cabins onboard. On Mardi Gras, for instance, you can opt for a standard interior stateroom or Premium, Family Harbor, Cloud 9 Spa, or Havana interior room.

Connecting cabins (for large families)

By contrast, the line's newer ships have a higher percentage of inside cabins than you'll find on the newer ships of some rival lines. In-cabin babysitting is not available (read more at Camp Ocean below). Cribs in cruise cabins are provided complimentary (upon request). In Main Dining Rooms are provided complimentary high chairs and booster seats. In addition, vessels offer extra-charge laundry and, on select ships, dry cleaning services.

Cruise cabins and suites

Additionally, desks have 110 AC power outlets with U.S. sockets and more USB ports. The Grand Vista Suite is the biggest, located on the uppermost deck… and all this altitude has a way of also elevating the view. As do floor-to-ceiling windows that make sure nothing gets in the way. Even more convenience and comfort come standard, like a huge balcony made for stretching out, a tub that’s great for doing the same, a convenient walk-in dressing area, plus VIP check-in.

Carnival also uses its big theaters for lots of interactive shows that involve you, the passenger, getting a little silly. They include Lip Sync Battle Carnival — a shipboard adaptation of the Paramount Network TV series — and Hasbro, the Game Show. In general, the production shows aren't nearly as sophisticated — or as long — as what you'll find on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian ships. Every Carnival ship has one big theater where you'll often find flashy, fast-paced production shows that string together a medley of loosely related tunes. Designed to be quick and digestible, they typically last around 30 minutes and have relatively small casts (just eight on some ships).

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Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world. About 44% of the 2,004 cabins on Carnival's Carnival Panorama (launched in 2019) are balcony cabins, for instance. Compare that to the 65% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas (launched in 2018) that are balcony cabins. The line's two newest ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, each have 180 suites — more than twice the number found on the vessels Carnival was unveiling a few years ago. Carnival also offers dedicated tween and teen programs on ships for children aged 12 to 17.

We also added a Bonsai Sushi Express™, so you can take your fresh sushi, sashimi, rolls and more, to go, someplace fun. The final Fantasy class cruise ship ever created, Carnival Paradise is proof that there's plenty of fun to be found long before you reach your dream destination. The latter three come with additional perks that you might want for your cruise vacation, such as access to the exclusive Family Harbor lounge or Havana pool. The most basic accommodation option you'll find on any cruise line are interior rooms, and Carnival is not an exception. These cabins are great options for those on a tighter budget or who want to stretch their vacation budget as far as possible.

Book staterooms extra early for groups, ask for connecting rooms and consider these stateroom styles. Deluxe Ocean View staterooms sleep up to five and come with an extra half-bath. Get all the comforts of home and then some, with absolutely none of the hassles. Or just spend time on your balcony — you’ve got one of our most spacious rooms. The most affordable way to experience all the Carnival excitement, without cutting corners on comfort. That's why we've got enough variety to satisfy any type of fun seeker.

From unexpected porthole views to the luxurious touches of the Cloud 9 Spa rooms, Carnival has truly elevated the concept of ‘interior’. When you’re on a Carnival cruise, you have your choice of stateroom styles and locations designated as Interior, Ocean View, Balcony or Suite. Every one of the suites in those categories is bigger than any suite found on Carnival Panorama. The Presidential Suites are among 180 suites you will find on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the most ever for a Carnival ship. One exception is the new Carnival Venezia, which has a darker (faux) wood finish to furniture in cabins that ties into the ship's Italy theme. Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels.

The complimentary service is available via the Infotainment system (in all cabins) and also at the FunHub stations around the ship. Meanwhile, for passengers hoping for quiet time away from the kids, many Carnival ships also have an adults-only Serenity retreat area on their top decks with padded loungers, daybeds, hot tubs and often a bar. Premium Balcony cabins also have twin beds that convert to King-size, their wraparound balcony enfolds the stateroom.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite — particularly if you want one of the best suites on a Carnival ship. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista-class series, for instance, offer fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest-class ships have around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy-class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.