Ultimate Guide to Cruise Line Private Destinations

If you are planning a cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean, chances are that you'll be stopping at one of many private destinations operated by the cruise lines. Just about every cruise line has a private destination to offer its guests and they usually consist of well landscaped grounds, sandy beaches with loungers, bars and sometimes a free buffet style BBQ lunch. The Cruise Lines love to include these stops because you, as the guest are "captive" while you are there. This means the cruise line can control your experience and earn revenue on everything from drinks, shopping and excursions while you are off the ship. Normally, when a cruise stops at a port, the cruise line will not be earning money from the casino, bars, specialty dining, onboard shops, spa and more. Sure, if you book an excursion through the cruise line, they make a portion of that fee, but all other shore-side revenue goes directly to the vendors ashore. Personally, I prefer to visit the major destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The main reason is that I have a more varied selection of things to do and places to see and I can immerse myself into the local culture. When booking a week-long cruise in the Caribbean for example, I try to find itineraries that include at least 3 major ports in addition to the private destination. More often than not, the private destination becomes my beach day where I don't do a whole lot except relax off the ship. As you know, cruising can be "stressful". Let's dive into the Cruise Line Private Destinations. The following are listed alphabetically by cruise line Carnival Cruise Line Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Amber Cove is located near Puerto Plata on the North coast of Dominican Republic. The cruise center at Amber Cove was developed by Carnival Corporation and receives cruise ships primarily from Carnival Cruise Line as well as from their many other cruise brands including Holland America, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and AIDA Cruises. Occasionally, other non Carnival brand cruise lines may call on Grand Turk. The cruise center is accessible by a pier that can accommodate up to two cruise ships at a time. Highlights: Amber Cove features many historical sites nearby that you can experience with a walking tour or by vising local museums. There are several nice beaches located within a short taxi ride. The on-site Aqua Zone is free for cruise guests and features a large pool, waterslides, lazy river and swim-up bar. There are plenty of complementary lounge chairs and over-the-water cabanas are available for rent. Many shore excursions are offered including the swimming with the dolphins at Ocean World , zip line at Country World Adventure Park , Resort Getaways and more. There are lots of shopping opportunities within the cruise center or in the town of Puerto Plata. Find out more about Amber Cove Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Grand Turk is located 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida and is the capital of Turks & Caicos. Like Amber Cove, the cruise center on Grand Turk island, was developed by Carnival Corporation and receives cruise ships primarily from Carnival Cruise Line as well as from their many other cruise brands including Holland America, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and AIDA Cruises. The cruise center is accessible by a pier that can accommodate up to two cruise ships at a time. Highlights: Grand Turk features great snorkeling opportunities within yards of the cruise ship and a nice sandy beach area. There is also a large pool adjacent to the massive Margaritaville, that is free for cruise guests to use. A FlowRider surf simulator is available as an excursion for an additional cost of around $30 per person. Additionally, there are several other shore excursions to choose from including Jeep Safari, Dune Buggy Safari, Scuba Tours and more. The port facility also offers any duty free shopping opportunities. Find out more about Grand Turk Disney Cruise Line Castaway Cay, Bahamas Disney Cruise Line's private Bah