Why no private island for "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line"

[stanh]

Holland America has Half Moon Cay, Norwegian has Great Stirrup Cay, Princess has Princess Cays, and RCI/Celebrity has Cococay. How come Carnival doesn't have a private island port of call? I know they have, on occasion, used HAL's Half Moon Cay (a serious bone of contention for HAL cruisers). I have visited both Half Moon Cay and Cococay and really enjoyed the stops at both. Personally, on those itineraries with stops at both Nassau and Freeport, I would give up Freeport for a private island. Heck, Carnival Corp. buys up cruise lines like crazy, I'm sure they could find an island they could afford.

Stan

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[Cotton]

Well...in essence, they DO! They now own Half Moon Cay and Princess Cay.

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[tef43]

Perhaps that is one of the reasons *why* they are so popular.

If I *really* wanted a day at a private iland, I'd book on one of the other cruise lines.

As opposed to a regular port of call, it's just another way for the cruise line to control the revenue stream.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

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[L2J]

I would opt for another day at sea as rather than the private island. Great Stirrip Cay in a word BITES.

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
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NCL Sky 2/02

[nosnobunny]

That's a very good question. I'm surprized they haven't done it yet. But then again, Carnival knows its market. Too bad because I would give up one sea day for a private island.

Beth

[SUSANITA]

I'd give up a sea day for a private island, but I wouldn't give up an actual port of call.

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[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nosnobunny:
Too bad because I would give up one sea day for a private island.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why?? The food is awful, it's way too crowded, nothing to do really and the vendors set up with expensive "crap". The CD on the Sky played up the island and there were lots of folks disappointed.

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!
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NCL Sky 2/02

[tef43]

Tendering to/from NCL's island back in the day on the old Skyward was, in a word, dreadful. And that ship only carried 700 passengers!

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

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[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tef43:
Tendering to/from NCL's island back in the day on the old Skyward was, in a word, dreadful. And that ship only carried 700 passengers!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same island back then Tef? And thanks for reminding me: The Tendering to and from NCL's island BITES too.

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NCL Sky 2/02

[tef43]

Yep. same island. Great Stirrup Cay in the Berry Islands of the Bahamas.

Insufficient chairs/umbrellas, overpriced water toys, melted foo foo drinks, bbq food worse than the infamous RCCL "ranch steak" and, last but not least, SAND FLEAS! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

What a waste of time.

[L2J]

Thank goodness someone agrees with me!! I was starting to think I'm being to picky.

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NCL Sky 2/02

[MrPete]

If they could or would do it like Castaway Cay, it would definately be a plus. I'd take that any day over Freeport.


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[disneylynn]

You said it MrPeteLI,
Castaway Cay is Tops http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Why no private island for "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well it's sure not because we can't afford it!

Carnival has really good business relationships with most ports and docking areas which is why it's common to see Carnival ships pulled right up to the dock while others anchor offshore tender in.

That's no accident. It's not like whoever gets there first gets the best parking space. These things are negotiated well in advance. In many cases Carnival has invested millions in the pier and has priority.

Last month on our Golden Princess cruise we called at Princess Cays. It was really nice and they did a real good job. But given the choice I would have tacked on some other island that was on the way back just as well.

It might be that they just see a better way to use their money than to buy/rent real estate

Happy Cruising

Chris

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[GroupCruiser]

With a Private Island you're a captive audience. I go on cruises to see where other people live, visit their islands, see their culture. If you go to a privete island, you might as well be on the ship.

[HOSKI]

I loved the private island experience on NCL and wish Carnival would do it also. The vendors were in one location and you did not have to go near them if you didn't want.

I would gladly give up a sea day as I feel Carnival does not have enough or a good variety of activities on sea days and also would consider giving up certain ports. It's nice to not be hounded to spend money for one day but enjoy a meal, the beach, hammocks and such.

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[caugh51654]

I actually enjoyed Great Stirrup Cay as well as other private islands! The area enclosed by the rocks provided a great swimming area, and there was good snorkeling around the rocks. We found plenty of chairs and our waiter even waded out into the water to give us fresh drinks while we floated on our floats.

I would prefer a private island stop since those are the days where there is no sightseeing to do, but you get to completely vegg out on the beach and pretend you are a castaway. There is more room to roam and certainly more room to swim than in the small pools on board on at-sea days.

Guess it depends on whether you are a "beach"person or not. Someone who does not enjoy spending time on the beach would certainly prefer to skip the private island stop. That's the beauty of the private island, the beach-goers leave the ship and the non beach-goers have the ship to themselves for the day!

Happy sailing!

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[brian5]

I've never been to a 'private island', but I also have no desire to go, either. I view a cruise ship as a floating hotel that takes me exotic places. Days at sea should just be minor hassels to get you to even more exotic locations.

Being spoon-fed some corporate 'foreign land' is as appealing to me as going to Disney or Walmart.

Brian
Destiny 10/26/03

[ilionite65]

How can you knock what you don't know? For those of you who have done the private islands and don't like them, fine. But to make general statements when you have no real experience is rather empty. The last time I was on a private island it was great. The food was excellent and we enjoyed eating outside, plenty of lounge chairs for all, no hustling from venders, and an all around very relaxing day.

[cruisingator2]

I like the private island experience myself. I also found nothing wrong with NCL's island. It is not as nice as RCI's Coco Cay but still made a nice day ashore.

Carnival likes those sea days because it means higher on board revenue for them. Bars,casino,bingo and gift shops all mean more money.

Gordon

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[voyagerfl]

<U>When they are at the "Private Island" does that mean they can keep the Ships Shops & Casino Open ??</U>

Personally, I love sea days (we want 3 on a 7 day cruise) & don't care for sunbathing on the beach.
We like active ports, someplace with people and history.
As far the Bahama's....they can drop them completely.

[voyagerfl]

Sounds like we are pretty evenly split on the issue...
So as long as Carnival only incorporated a Private Island on some cruises, people would still have a choice.

[Legalwife]

Would love a private island stop. Been on two and loved both. Tendering was a bit tricky on one. Disney pulled right in and it was great. Not a big beach person, but loved the beauty, loved short stay on the beach and in water, loved exploring, loved looking out and seeing nothing but water and like we were in the middle of nowhere (when you find the right section of beach at the island)

Come on Carnival. Give those of us that want one the option!

Robin

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[L2J]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by caugh51654:
I actually enjoyed Great Stirrup Cay as well as other private islands! The area enclosed by the rocks provided a great swimming area, and there was good snorkeling around the rocks. We found plenty of chairs and our waiter even waded out into the water to give us fresh drinks while we floated on our floats.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unless you haven't listed it I see you last time on NCL's island was in 1997. I was there in 2002 and it was a mess - sandy beach - parts of it you couldn't even walk without shoes. I guess we can all agree to disagreehttp://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif. Again - I like another day at sea.

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NCL Sky 2/02

[jimmy627]

all i can say a day at a private island is better than a day stuck at work http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

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11/27/2004 CARIBBEAN PRINCESS

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[savdoc2]

I have not been on a cruise to a private island, and I don't wish to. I am not a beach person though. I have looked at iteneraries that include a stop at a private island and they don't simply give up a sea day for the stop, they take away another port of call. I enjoy visiting other cultures and a marketing ploy called a private island is not what I consider another culture. When we were in Paradise Island (Nassau) a few years back - we went to Blue Lagoon on recommendation. It was horrible. And it is essentially similar to a private island. I won't choose to do that.

[Huey]

Ilionite - If someone hasn't been to a cruiseline's private island and don't wish to go to one in the future - it seems like they probably know their own travel likes/dislikes and how and why they enjoy cruising. It seems like that is their opinion - To call that empty is bizarre.

We have visited Princess Cay and felt like it was just another way for Princess to cash in on your Sail and Sign card. It was similar to a crowded day on the Lido Deck - lounge-chair-saving hogs, bad buffet, and waiters pushing drinks of the day. Plus, they had a Princess souvenier shop on the island! I would trade it in for a port or a day at sea.

Laura

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[stanh]

Like some others who have responded, I am a "beach" person and, as I said when I started the thread, I have enjoyed my visits to Cococay and Half Moon Cay. All of these private islands are part of the Bahama Islands chain. Typically, then, the itinerary will give up either a day at sea or a call to Nassau, Freeport, maybe Key West or Canaveral, but certainly a nearby port of call. Not someplace I'd call exotic, especially after you done a couple of Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Some of the things I do on the private island are the same things I might do at a port of call, like parasail, snorkel, etc. And the lunch buffets/barbeques are free at the private islands so I don't have to pay for food while at the beach. Of course, I have the option to stay on board the ship too. My upcoming Miracle cruise has calls to both Nassau and Freeport and I would gladly give up Freeport for a private island. Anyway, I am just surprised Carnival Cruise Lines doesn't have one to offer that alternative.

Originally posted by voyagerfl:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>When they are at the "Private Island" does that mean they can keep the Ships Shops & Casino Open ??<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I can't remember if the casino and shops stayed open, but I don't think so. The private islands are leased from and are sovereign territory of the country of Bahamas, so I think the same rules apply as when visiting Nassau or Freeport. When we stopped at Half Moon Cay on HAL, we did not stop anywhere else in the Bahamas but we still had to complete the Bahamian Immigration Form.

Stan

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