Love Islands

Now cruise lines are encouraging you to get off the ship by updating and providing their own private island retreats, to give you that beach body feeling ! I have put together 4 of the best island escapes owned by the cruise companies so you can make a choice or check them out on your cruise.

Castaway Cay in the Bahamas

It was formerly known as Gorda Cay,and in 1977  a lease was purchased by the Walt Disney Company for 99 years from the Bahamian Goverment.Its over 1000 acres in size and the main benefit is that they constructed their own quay so that there is no need for those pesky tenders from the ship.Full of beachside facilities, pristine white sands, and lots to see and do, it has a very focused family theme as you imagine from the Imagineers at Disney, and yes there are character meet and greets on the island.Dont forget to send a postcard from the village Post Office with its own Castaway Cay stamps !. Facilities on the island are varied including bike rentals,a stingray adventure excursion (very popular so book in advance), a gorgeous Main Beach area, Pelican Plunge water slide platform and snorkelling opportunities together with hobbycats and even parasailing.A little tram takes you round the resort and you can rent cabanas or studios for the day to chill out.Lots of running tracks available and free bottled water if you work up a sweat, or you can chill at Serenity beach on the island with a Yoga class and this area is Adults only.Dont forget there is free childcare available as well.There are three BBQ shacks as well as a lovely restaurant at Serenity Bay, sometimes serving lobster, all free.

Great Stirrup Cay-Bahamas

268 acre island bought by Norwegian Cruise Lines in 1977 from an oil company, its situated in the Berry islands and has a permanent population of just 5 people!

It is marketed as an idyllic island paradise, with a beautiful beach great for snorkelling with sea turtles, another stingray encounter,and lots of other gentle watersports including paddleboarding or enjoying a kayak along the coastline at your leisure.Great eating choices with the signature 8500 square foot buffet restaurant, complimentary food also at Abaco Tacos for mexican and Jumbeys Beach Grill for American and seafood options .Why not hire your own beach cabana for the day , great for families as well as romantics.Highlights are the Zip Line Adventure and the local straw market but all in all a great chilled island for families and adults . The ship anchors offshore and tenders are used.

The one thing you cant miss is the famous swimming with the pigs excursion, it lasts around one and a half hours and you can book on board.

Coco Cay Bahamas, also known as Little Stirrup Cay.

Population 39 and adjacent to Great Stirrup Cay in the Berry islands its owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.Newly refurbished with a whopping $250m spent on a Splashworld, Adventure loving oasis in their own words, for the Perfect Day.It features the tallest waterslide in North America, travelling 450 feet up in a helium balloon and the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas . A waterpass gives you access to 13 waterslides including the largest wavepool in the Bahamas and for young children,Splashaway Bay is a dedicated zone.Theres also a 1600 ft Zip-Line to enjoy, stunning beaches, and trams around the huge resort.They have also taken the Cabanas to the next level, they are overwater ! Chill Island is the pristine beach area together with South Beach and Harbour Beach ,the Oasis lagoon with its swim up bar is also going to be hugely popular.Complimentary food is available at the Chill Grill with salads,BBQ and self serve beer.There are lots of additional eating outlets.(some attractions open in December this year).Its the ultimate beach break off the ship

Many of the excursions listed can be booked on your cruise personaliser so take a look when you get a chance to experience these Love Islands !