Reviewed October 14, 2026. This guide covers the main private-island and beach-club options tied to Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, Princess, Disney, Holland America and Virgin Voyages. It also flags which destinations are shared between lines, which are still being built and which are temporarily off the map.
Not all of these are actually private islands. Some take up one part of a bigger island. Others are beach clubs sold as shore excursions.
That difference matters once you start comparing how you get there, what’s included and what it costs.
01The scores at a glance
These are provisional Seabound editorial scores, built from published facilities and inclusions.
They aren’t customer-review averages, and they aren’t a claim that Joey has personally tested every destination on the list. Each score describes the standard day an eligible guest gets — extra-cost upgrades are judged separately.
Joey has been to five of the twelve: CocoCay, Ocean Cay, Castaway Cay, Great Stirrup Cay and Princess Cays. Each section says what that visit does and doesn’t cover.
| Destination | Score / 10 | Best starting point for | Access model | Getting ashore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Castaway Cay | 8.8 | Families who want an organized beach day | Included destination on visiting Disney sailings | Ship docks at the island; walk ashore, with island trams available |
| Perfect Day at CocoCay | 8.7 | Families who want beaches, pools and choices | Included destination; paid upgrades | Dedicated pier; walk ashore |
| Great Stirrup Cay | 8.5 | Families who want both beach and pool options | Included destination; paid upgrades | New pier advertised as open; walk ashore, with tram service |
| The Beach Club at Bimini | 8.5 | Adults who want a beach-and-pool day | Included on visiting Virgin sailings; paid extras | Cruise dock, then complimentary tram to the club |
| Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve | 8.3 | A beach-focused day with fewer resort-style distractions | Included destination; paid extras and suite areas | Direct docking; no tender normally needed |
| Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point | 8.2 | Families who want beach time plus Bahamian cultural programming | Included destination; paid extras | Walk-on pier, then island transport; assistance arrangements require confirmation |
| RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay | 8.0 | A beach-first itinerary | Included destination; paid upgrades | Pier or water shuttle, depending on the sailing |
| Celebration Key | 7.8 | Families who want lagoons and a resort-style setting | Included destination; paid attractions and club options | Pier arrival; walk ashore, with destination trams available |
| Royal Beach Club Paradise Island | 7.8 | An organized Nassau beach day | Purchased day pass | Included round-trip ferry from Nassau Cruise Port |
| Princess Cays | 7.5 | A no-fuss beach-and-BBQ stop | Included destination; paid extras | Tender boats from the anchored ship |
| Harvest Caye | 7.3 | A resort-style Belize stop | Destination access, with purchases budgeted separately | Dock or offshore anchorage; confirm your sailing’s arrangement |
| Royal Beach Club Santorini | 7.0 | Sightseeing plus a black-sand beach stop | Purchased shore excursion | Transport included in the excursion; confirm the specific sea and land transfers |
These describe published arrival arrangements, not guarantees for every sailing or confirmation of accessibility.
The access descriptions above come from the destination sources listed at the bottom of this page. 1–16
Family and couples fit at a glance
Fit is a recommendation, not part of the score. These are Seabound’s editorial calls, taken from each destination’s “who should consider it” section below.
| Destination | Families | Couples and adults |
|---|---|---|
| Castaway Cay | Strong fit — shared activities and the familiar Disney feel | Works if you’re comfortable around families and use the adult area |
| CocoCay | Strong fit — mixed ages, active and lazy options | Compare the standard beaches with the price and feel of the paid clubs |
| Great Stirrup Cay | Strong fit — a broad included day, especially with the drink package | Good fit for beach and pool time; compare adults-only upgrades separately. Firsthand assessment pending. |
| Bimini Beach Club | Not available for families traveling with children; Virgin sailings are adults-only. | Strong fit — pool-and-beach day with the basics covered |
| Ocean Cay | Works for families happy with swimming and a slower day | Strong fit for beach-focused couples; Yacht Club guests weigh Ocean House separately |
| Lookout Cay | Strong fit — Disney programming with a sense of place | Good fit for couples who enjoy Disney; Serenity Bay offers an adults-only beach. |
| RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay | Works — a beach day without a waterpark | Strong fit when the shoreline is the point |
| Celebration Key | Strong fit — lagoons and a resort-style setting | Works if Pearl Cove’s inclusions hold up against its price |
| Royal Beach Club Paradise Island | Works — add up every eligible passenger’s price first | Works — an arranged beach day with food and drinks bundled |
| Princess Cays | Works — an easy beach day | Works — an easy beach day |
| Harvest Caye | Works — a pool-and-beach base, with a budget for purchases | Works — the same base, or compare a mainland excursion |
| Royal Beach Club Santorini | Works if the landmark stops suit the group; confirm mobility requirements | Works — sightseeing and a beach break in one booking |
A gap of a few tenths of a point isn’t a reason to pick an entire cruise. Let the fit and the inclusions make that call.
Twelve destinations, six categories
Sort by the part of the day that matters to you, or narrow to the fit you need. The numbers never change — only the order does.
Castaway CayDisney
8.8/10Families who want an organized beach day
Included Joey has beenCocoCayRoyal Caribbean · Celebrity
8.7/10Families who want beaches, pools and choices
Included Joey has beenGreat Stirrup CayNorwegian
8.5/10Families who want both beach and pool options
Included Joey has beenBimini Beach ClubVirgin Voyages
8.5/10Adults who want a beach-and-pool day
IncludedOcean CayMSC
8.3/10A beach-focused day with fewer resort-style distractions
Included Joey has beenLookout CayDisney
8.2/10Families who want beach time plus Bahamian cultural programming
IncludedRelaxAway, Half Moon CayCarnival · Holland America · Princess
8.0/10A beach-first itinerary
IncludedCelebration KeyCarnival · Princess
7.8/10Families who want lagoons and a resort-style setting
IncludedRoyal Beach Club Paradise IslandRoyal Caribbean · Celebrity
7.8/10An organized Nassau beach day
Paid entryPrincess CaysPrincess · Carnival
7.5/10A no-fuss beach-and-BBQ stop
Included Joey has beenHarvest CayeNorwegian
7.3/10A resort-style Belize stop
Access; purchases separateRoyal Beach Club SantoriniRoyal Caribbean · Celebrity
7.0/10Sightseeing plus a black-sand beach stop
Paid entryProvisional Seabound editorial scores, equal weights, rounded to one decimal. Entry type and fit follow each destination’s section below; the sources establish the features, not the numbers.
02What the scores measure
All six categories carry the same weight. The overall score is the six category scores added together, divided by six and rounded to one decimal place.
| Category | What we assess |
|---|---|
| Beach and swimming setup | Published beach access and the range of usable swimming options — sea conditions aren’t guaranteed |
| Included activities | How much there is to do within standard admission; optional waterparks and excursions don’t raise this score |
| Relaxation options | Places and facilities for a slower day; actual crowds and noise need firsthand checking |
| Food and drink setup | Published dining options and inclusions — not a taste test or a service rating |
| Value | How full a day you can have without buying extras; for paid-entry clubs, value depends on your quoted price |
| Getting ashore and around | Published arrival and transfer arrangements — not an accessibility certification |
Family and couples fit are recommendations, not deductions. Bimini is built for adults, so it doesn’t get a zero for keeping kids out. We judge the day it offers the guests it’s designed for.
Open the full category matrixSix categories for all twelve destinations
| Destination | Beach / swim | Activities | Relaxation | Food / drinks | Value | Arrival / movement | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castaway Cay | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.8 |
| CocoCay | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.7 |
| Great Stirrup Cay | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 |
| Bimini Beach Club | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 |
| Ocean Cay | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8.3 |
| Lookout Cay | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8.2 |
| RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8.0 |
| Celebration Key | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7.8 |
| Royal Beach Club Paradise Island | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7.8 |
| Princess Cays | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7.5 |
| Harvest Caye | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7.3 |
| Royal Beach Club Santorini | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7.0 |
These numbers are our editorial judgments, not measurements the cruise lines publish. We stick to whole-number category scores because the available evidence doesn’t support anything more precise — decimals in a category would be false precision, not extra insight.
They’ll change when firsthand visits or operating changes give us a reason.
03Which destinations go with each cruise line?
The sailing matters more than the logo on the ship. A line showing up in this table doesn’t mean every one of its Caribbean voyages stops at that destination.
| Cruise line | Main destinations to look at | The distinction that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | CocoCay; Royal Beach Clubs at Paradise Island and Santorini | CocoCay entry is included; the two open clubs require a purchase 134 |
| Celebrity | CocoCay; Royal Beach Club Paradise Island; Royal Beach Club Santorini | These are Royal Caribbean Group destinations available on eligible Celebrity trips 2–4 |
| Carnival | Celebration Key; RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; Princess Cays | Each stop has its own meal, drink and upgrade rules 679 |
| Norwegian | Great Stirrup Cay; Harvest Caye | Don’t assume the same food and drink inclusions at both 10–12 |
| MSC | Ocean Cay; additional regional beach experiences covered below | Yacht Club’s Ocean House experience is separate from the standard Ocean Cay day 13 |
| Princess | Princess Cays; Princess also publishes Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay offerings | Check the exact sailing and Princess-specific inclusions 89 |
| Disney | Castaway Cay; Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point | Both include the beach-day basics — they’re still two different places 1415 |
| Holland America | RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay | Its newly announced Beach Club is an upgrade to look at separately 7 |
| Virgin Voyages | The Beach Club at Bimini | An included adults-only beach club on visiting sailings 16 |
04Castaway Cay8.8/10
Seabound port guide: Castaway Cay
A strong pick for families who want the beach day organized and mostly paid for already.
So much of a full day comes with the visit that it scores a 9 almost everywhere. What holds it back is a lighter list of headline attractions — included activities is its one 8.
Disney lists a BBQ lunch, soft-serve, drink stations, character appearances, beach games and tram service among the standard offerings. There are family beaches and adults-only beach options. 14
You can build a whole day around what’s included, instead of starting the morning by deciding which pass to buy.
Choose it for a Disney beach day — not because you want the biggest waterpark in this comparison. Rentals, cabanas and Port Adventures need their own budget.
Families who like shared activities and the familiar Disney feel. Couples can make it work too, if they’re comfortable around families and plan to use the adult area.
Joey’s family has been to Castaway Cay, but more than ten years ago, so this score rests on what Disney publishes today rather than on that visit. One thing that sets it apart hasn’t changed: Disney runs a kids club on the island itself, Scuttle’s Cove, for ages 3 to 10. 25
Research-based; Joey’s family visit was more than ten years ago.
05CocoCay8.7/10
Photos: Joey Boleslawski
One of the most flexible choices for a group where everyone wants a different version of the day.
Strong included beaches, pool access and dining carry most of the score. What holds it back is that the major attractions are priced separately, so they can’t count toward the included day. The quieter premium spaces cost extra too — that’s why relaxation lands at 8, not 9.
Royal lists included beaches, loungers, umbrellas, the Oasis Lagoon pool and several dining spots. Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club and adults-only Hideaway Beach all cost extra. 15
Joey’s family of seven paid $400 for a Thrill Waterpark cabana that came with six admissions, then $67 for one more ticket for grandma: $467 total, or about $66.71 per person. The cabana’s spot near the wave pool and restrooms, the food delivery and having a place to regroup all earned their keep. The one letdown was a broken safe.
The cabana also never actually held six people at once. The kids were always at the wave pool or the slides.
That’s a past personal price, not a current offer — and no promise the same setup will be there on your visit.
What it does show is how to think about a cabana. Compare it with the admissions you’d be buying anyway, and with how much time anyone will actually sit in it. Not every family needs one.
For a couples trip, Joey would look at the Beach Club instead.
Mixed-age families and groups who want both active and lazy options. Couples should compare the standard beaches with the actual price and feel of the paid clubs.
Firsthand family experience plus researched standard inclusions.
06Great Stirrup Cay8.5/10
Seabound port guide: Great Stirrup Cay
A much bigger island day than it used to be, for travelers who want a beach day and a pool day in one.
The new pool and kids’ splash area lift the included day, and a drink package that works ashore helps value. What holds it back is a headline waterpark that’s ticketed separately, plus food and relaxation scores that stay at 8 until the new facilities are seen working on a real sailing day.
Norwegian’s current destination page marks the new pier, the Great Life Lagoon pool, the complimentary Splash Harbour and Great Tides Waterpark as open. 10
The waterpark is a separately ticketed attraction, and the Silver Cove villas are a separate decision too. Norwegian also says its Free at Sea beverage package works on the island. 1011
Older guides that describe this as a tender-only beach stop are out of date. On the other hand, a list of new facilities can’t tell us about lines, shade or how smoothly a busy arrival goes.
Families who want a broad included day — especially if the drink package is already part of the booking. If the waterpark is the main draw, price it separately.
Research-based provisional score. Joey has been to Great Stirrup Cay before and is back this month. That visit will be used to judge the new pier, the lagoon and how a busy arrival actually runs — we’re not assuming the answer in advance.
07Virgin's Beach Club at Bimini8.5/10
Photos: Joey Boleslawski
A strong included day for adults who want a beach and the option of a social pool scene.
Most of the day comes included, which drives the food and value scores. What holds it back: alcohol costs extra, the DJ program means relaxation depends on where you sit, and getting around leans on the tram.
Virgin lists included beach and pool access, tram transportation, Wi-Fi, dining, soda and water. Alcohol and rented premium spaces cost extra, and Bar Tab can be used for qualifying purchases. 16
RockStar guests get an additional exclusive area. 16
Adults-only doesn’t automatically mean quiet. The published program includes DJ sets, so pick your spot and your timing around the mood you want.
The score covers the standard Virgin guest’s day — not RockStar access, and not a cabana. It also doesn’t apply to a beach-club booking sold by another operator on a different day.
Adults who want a pool-and-beach day with the basics covered. Families with kids will need a different cruise line.
Research-based. Joey has been to Bimini on Celebrity sailings, not to Virgin’s adults-only club, so that visit doesn’t count toward this score.
08Ocean Cay8.3/10
Seabound port guide: Ocean Cay
Photos: Joey Boleslawski
A strong choice when the beach is the whole point and you don’t need a long list of attractions to have a good day.
The standard day is built around the sand, and beach, relaxation, value and getting ashore all score a 9. What holds it back is a thin list of included things to do beyond the beach — activities sits at 6 — and food lands at 8 because the island’s most exclusive dining is reserved for Yacht Club.
MSC describes included beach and dining experiences, and Premium Extra drink and Wi-Fi benefits carry over ashore. Yacht Club guests get their own Ocean House beach, restaurant and related amenities. 13
The lower activities score is about fit, not quality. The standard day leans toward beach time rather than the pool-and-play variety some competitors include.
Joey knows Ocean Cay from MSC Seashore Yacht Club sailings. That’s useful perspective on the suite side of the island. It isn’t a firsthand review of every standard-guest dining or seating option, and we’re not presenting it as one.
Check which drink package you have and what it covers ashore. “Island included” doesn’t mean every drink, rental and venue is included.
Beach-focused couples, and families happy with swimming and a slower, less attraction-heavy day. Yacht Club travelers should weigh the exclusive experience on its own.
Firsthand Yacht Club context; researched standard-day score.
09Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point8.2/10
Seabound port guide: Lighthouse Point
A Disney alternative for families who want the beach basics with more Bahamian cultural programming.
The included beach basics earn strong food and value scores. What holds it back is getting around — the layout takes more planning, with a tram linking separate areas — plus a narrower included activity list than Castaway Cay’s.
Disney lists included food, drink stations, chairs, umbrellas and activities, with tram service between Mabrika Cove and the main cultural area. The destination sits on Eleuthera — it isn’t a standalone private island. 15
Study the arrival layout and transfers before you plan a short excursion ashore. We haven’t timed the walks ourselves.
Families who like Disney programming and want their beach day to feel like it happened somewhere specific. It deserves its own look, not a “same as Castaway Cay” assumption.
Research-based.
10RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay8.0/10
Seabound port guide: Half Moon Cay
The beach-first option we’d look at early for travelers who want the shoreline itself to carry the day.
A beach-led day with an included lunch earns high marks for beach, relaxation and value. What holds it back is a short list of included activities and an arrival that’s either pier or water shuttle depending on the sailing — so you can’t count on how you’ll get ashore until you check your ship.
In September 2026, Holland America announced refreshed facilities, a new food pavilion and a Beach Club for its upcoming Caribbean season. Princess’s current destination information describes an included lunch and arrival by pier or water shuttle, depending on the sailing. 79
The beach is the whole pitch here, and the published descriptions make a strong case for it. A strong case on paper still isn’t a 10, though. We’ve scored the beach a 9 until someone from Seabound stands on it — that’s the score the evidence supports, not a verdict that it disappoints.
Carnival, Holland America and Princess can have different packages and access arrangements here. Don’t carry one line’s beverage policy into another line’s visit.
Travelers who want a beach day and don’t need a waterpark. Look at the new Beach Club only if its booked inclusions and quoted price fit your plans.
Research-based; the beach score is pending a firsthand assessment. Confirm new-season upgrade availability for your ship.
11Celebration Key7.8/10
Seabound port guide: Celebration Key
A good starting point for travelers who like a big lagoon-and-beach destination with a resort feel.
Big lagoons, separate family areas and its strongest category — getting ashore — keep it competitive. What holds it back is food and relaxation at 7: Island Eats covers one eligible meal, not unlimited dining, and the quieter adults-only option, Pearl Cove, is a separate purchase.
Carnival describes separate areas for family activities, adult-focused relaxing and shopping. Its Island Eats offering gives each guest one eligible complimentary meal or a set discount on a full-service entrée — it isn’t unlimited dining everywhere. 6
Pearl Cove is a separately purchased adults-only option with different pass tiers. 6
Price out the rest of the day you plan to buy — slides, drinks and premium areas — before comparing it with an island that includes more.
Princess now publishes Celebration Key offerings as well. 8 Confirm sailing access and line-specific benefits rather than treating the destination as Carnival-only.
Families who prefer lagoons and a large resort-style setting. Adults willing to hold Pearl Cove’s exact inclusions up against its price.
Research-based.
12Royal Beach Club Paradise Island7.8/10
An organized paid beach day in Nassau, with a clearer bundle than piecing together your own transfers, seating and meals.
The bundle earns a 9 for food and drink. What holds it back is value at 6 — you pay to get in at all, and we can’t judge a price we haven’t been quoted.
Royal’s published passes include either an open bar or non-alcoholic drinks, plus dining, Wi-Fi and round-trip ferry transportation. The club has two beaches and three pools; cabanas and other VIP setups cost extra. 3
Celebrity also sells the club as a paid shore excursion. 3
Compare the pass with your real alternative — an independent beach, another resort day pass, exploring Nassau or a quiet day on the ship. For a family, add up every eligible passenger’s price before you call it a deal. The paid-club table further down lays out what each pass includes.
Guests who want an arranged Nassau beach day with food and drinks bundled in. Check which pass you’re actually buying.
Research-based. Open status is supported by Royal’s January 2026 announcement. 17
13Princess Cays7.5/10
Seabound port guide: Princess Cays
A practical pick for a simple beach stop with lunch included, not a destination built around a big attraction list.
A complimentary beachside BBQ and a simple, low-cost day earn a strong value score. What holds it back is tender access, which scores 6 for getting ashore, and a short included activity list.
Princess describes tender access and a complimentary beachside BBQ. Its published activities include beach time, snorkeling and optional bungalow and shade rentals. 9
Tendering adds a step to getting ashore, which can matter for mobility or time on the beach. Confirm assistance against your own needs. Don’t assume your Carnival food or drink benefits match a Princess description of the same place.
Couples and families happy with an easy beach day. If a big pool or major included attractions are the priority, look elsewhere.
Joey has been; the score rests on Princess’s current published offering.
14Harvest Caye7.3/10
Seabound port guide: Harvest Caye
A resort-style Belize stop that deserves its own budget, separate from Great Stirrup Cay.
Getting ashore is its best category, and the large pool helps the relaxation score. What holds it back is food at 6 — à-la-carte dining and bars mean you budget for purchases — which also pulls value down to 7.
Norwegian describes a beach, a large pool and food and drink outlets. Its published destination material describes à-la-carte dining and bars, so we budget for purchases rather than assume Great Stirrup Cay’s meal and drink arrangements carry over. 12
If you want the most included day possible, look into the costs you’ll run into ashore. If you’d rather see mainland Belize, compare the actual excursion and transport — don’t let the island’s pool make that decision for you.
Guests who want a pool-and-beach base on a Belize call, with room in the budget for purchases or an excursion.
Research-based. Confirm current food, package and arrival details for your sailing.
15Royal Beach Club Santorini7.0/10
Seabound port guide: Santorini
A completely different product from a Caribbean private-island day — sightseeing and a beach stop bundled into one purchased excursion.
Transport, food, drinks and Wi-Fi bundled with Oia and Fira make for a well-equipped excursion. What holds it back is value at 6 because it’s a paid excursion, getting around at 6 because transit and touring eat part of the day, and activities at 6 when it’s judged as a beach day.
Royal’s Ultimate Santorini Day combines Oia, Fira and the beach club, with transport, food, draft beer, house wine, non-alcoholic drinks and Wi-Fi. Its FAQ says the club is open to eligible Royal Caribbean Group guests, Celebrity included. 4
A structured island tour and a volcanic black-sand beach aren’t CocoCay with a Greek accent. Getting around and touring take up part of the day. Confirm the route, timing and mobility requirements before you buy.
The lower overall score reflects a comparison with a full beach day, not a verdict that seeing Santorini is less worthwhile. If sightseeing is the priority, compare the whole excursion with other Santorini tours.
Guests who want the landmark stops and an arranged beach break in a single booking.
Research-based.
16Paid beach clubs: what the pass actually buys
Most of the destinations in this guide include entry with your cruise. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and Royal Beach Club Santorini don’t — you buy admission.
That changes the question from “is it a good day?” to “is it a good day for what we’re paying?”
| Royal Beach Club Paradise Island | Royal Beach Club Santorini | |
|---|---|---|
| How you get in | Purchased day pass 3 | Purchased shore excursion (Ultimate Santorini Day) 4 |
| Food | Dining included in the pass 3 | Food included 4 |
| Drinks | Depends on the pass: open bar or non-alcoholic only 3 | Draft beer, house wine and non-alcoholic drinks 4 |
| Getting there | Round-trip ferry included 3 | Transport included 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Included 3 | Included 4 |
| What the day looks like | Two beaches and three pools 3 | Sightseeing in Oia and Fira plus the beach club 4 |
| Costs extra | Cabanas and other VIP setups 3 | Confirm with the excursion listing |
| Who can book | Royal Caribbean guests; Celebrity also sells it as a shore excursion 3 | Eligible Royal Caribbean Group guests, Celebrity included 4 |
We haven’t published a price for either one, and that’s deliberate. Pass prices vary by sailing and date, so any number we printed would be stale or wrong for your trip.
That’s also why both clubs carry a 6 for value. The score can’t settle whether the pass is worth it — only your quote can.
Price every eligible person in your party, then hold that total up against the real alternative: a beach on your own, a sightseeing tour or a quiet day on the ship.
Paid clubs inside included islands — Coco Beach Club, Hideaway Beach, Pearl Cove and RelaxAway’s new Beach Club — are a different decision, since you’ve already got the island. They’re covered in the upgrades table below.
Not every future Royal Beach Club will follow this model, either. Royal says standard entry at Lelepa will be included. 21
17Premium upgrades: judge them on their own
| Upgrade | What to compare before you buy |
|---|---|
| Coco Beach Club | Included dining, pool and beach access; cabana capacity versus individual passes 5 |
| Hideaway Beach | Adults-only admission and included amenities; alcohol is a separate package or purchase question 5 |
| Thrill Waterpark cabana | Included admissions, permitted party size and current price versus buying tickets separately 5 |
| Great Tides Waterpark | Day-pass price, height and other restrictions, and what your family would actually use 11 |
| Silver Cove / Vibe Shore Club | The space you’ve actually booked and its inclusions; verify current availability and age rules 10 |
| Ocean House at Ocean Cay | Yacht Club entitlement — it isn’t included for every MSC guest 13 |
| Pearl Cove Beach Club | Access-only, open-bar or all-inclusive tier; don’t assume the cheapest pass includes lunch 6 |
| RelaxAway Beach Club | Line-specific booked inclusions and availability in its first operating season 7 |
| Disney cabanas | Exact capacity, location, reservation availability and what’s provided |
| Bimini cabanas / RockStar area | Rental versus suite entitlement; included drinks and credits need their own confirmation 16 |
For any shared space, work out the total cost per person who’ll actually use it. Joey’s CocoCay cabana math worked out very differently for seven people than it would for two. A headline price per cabana hides that.
18More regional beach destinations
MSC also publishes private-beach experiences at Sugar Beach on Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic, Sir Bani Yas in the UAE and Pomene in Mozambique. These stretch the guide past the core Bahamas and Caribbean comparison. 1819
Sugar Beach’s published description includes a boat transfer, sunbeds, parasols, a bar and buffet areas, with the beach reserved for MSC guests while the ship is anchored. Sir Bani Yas and Pomene need their own sailing and excursion review. 1819
We’re holding off on scores for these until access, standard inclusions and current operations can be documented as thoroughly as the others. They’re on the list for coverage — not zeros, and not closures.
Cruise-line-built terminals like Amber Cove and Grand Turk deserve port guides of their own. We keep ordinary port-complex amenities out of this scored table so the comparison stays useful.
19Planned or unavailable destinations: no score yet
| Destination | Published position at review date | How to use it when planning |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Beach Club Cozumel | Still presented as a developing concept with a waitlist; an official deployment announcement targets late 2027 20 | Renderings aren’t a review — confirm the opening against your booked sailing |
| Royal Beach Club Lelepa | Royal publishes first visiting sailings from late October 2027; its page says standard entry will be included 21 | Don’t assume every Royal Beach Club follows Paradise Island’s paid-entry model |
| Perfect Day Mexico | Announced for 2027; still at the construction stage, not an operating experience 22 | Compare the final offering once operating details are confirmed |
| Labadee | Royal’s travel notice suspends visits through the rest of 2026, and trade press reported in July 2026 that the suspension now runs through June 2027 2324 | Check the replacement itinerary; there’s nothing to score while visits are suspended |
Joey has been to Labadee. There’s nothing to score while visits are suspended.
Opening plans change. An older announcement doesn’t outrank the current excursion inventory or a notice about your specific sailing.
20Which one would we shortlist for your trip?
- Mixed-age family wanting lots included: Castaway Cay, CocoCay or Great Stirrup Cay.
- Beach first, attractions second: Ocean Cay or RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
- Adults-only, included: Virgin’s Beach Club at Bimini.
- Paid Nassau beach bundle: Royal Beach Club Paradise Island — after pricing the whole party.
- Lagoon-led resort day: Celebration Key, with a separate budget for the extras you want.
- Disney beach day with cultural programming: Lookout Cay.
- Simple beach-and-BBQ stop: Princess Cays.
- Pool-and-beach base on a Belize call: Harvest Caye, with a budget for purchases or a mainland excursion.
- Santorini sightseeing plus a beach break: Royal Beach Club Santorini, compared against other island excursions.
These are editorial recommendations about fit. Nobody can guarantee the weather, the water, the crowds or that a particular amenity will be open the day you arrive.
21Before you pick a sailing for its beach stop
Check the actual itinerary first. Then check how you get ashore, what the day looks like without spending extra, what your drink package covers off the ship and the total cost of any upgrades.
Remember that a scheduled stop isn’t a promised one.
Wind and sea conditions can still cancel an island call, and a tender stop is more exposed to that than a pier. If one beach day is the reason you’re booking, that’s worth knowing before you pay.
For accessibility, confirm the whole route — from the ship to transport, seating, restrooms and the water. A pier or a tram doesn’t prove every transfer works for your mobility needs. Ask about infants, swim diapers and attraction restrictions for the exact venue too.
22Score changes
Every change to a published score gets a dated line here.
- October 14, 2026 — First published: twelve destinations scored in six equal-weight categories. RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s beach and swimming score is held at 9, not 10, until a Seabound visit confirms what the published descriptions promise. Seven destinations are listed without a score.
Q&AQuick answers
Which private island is best for families?
Castaway Cay and CocoCay lead this comparison for a broad family beach day, and Great Stirrup Cay for a beach day and a pool day in one. Fit comes before the decimal point: pick the day your group wants.
Is entry to a cruise line’s private island included?
Usually, yes — most of the destinations here include entry with your cruise. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and Royal Beach Club Santorini are purchased, and Harvest Caye’s à-la-carte dining and bars mean you budget for purchases ashore.
Is a scheduled island stop guaranteed?
No. Wind and sea conditions can still cancel an island call, and a tender stop is more exposed to that than a pier. If one beach day is the reason you’re booking, know that before you pay.
Are these scores based on visits?
They’re provisional editorial scores built from published facilities and inclusions. Joey has been to five of the twelve — CocoCay, Ocean Cay, Castaway Cay, Great Stirrup Cay and Princess Cays — and each section says what that visit does and doesn’t cover. Great Stirrup Cay gets a fresh look this month.
Planning a cruise?
Tell Seabound Journeys your dates, who’s traveling and whether you want beaches, pools, activities or a quieter day. We’ll compare the ship and the shore day together.
No fee, no obligation·The cruise line pays the commission either way
SourcesWhere this comes from
Official material reviewed October 14, 2026. Exact-sailing access, fees, package terms and operating availability need confirmation. Scores and traveler recommendations are Seabound’s provisional editorial assessment; the sources establish the underlying features, not the numbers.
- 1Royal Caribbean — CocoCay
- 2Celebrity — CocoCay
- 3Royal — Paradise Island passes and FAQs · Celebrity — Paradise Island
- 4Royal — Santorini Beach Club and excursion
- 5Royal — CocoCay costs and upgrades · Royal — cabana guide
- 6Carnival — Celebration Key · Carnival — Island Eats FAQ · Pearl Cove access-only · Pearl Cove all-inclusive
- 7Holland America — September 2026 RelaxAway enhancements
- 8Princess — Celebration Key
- 9Princess — RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay · Princess — Princess Cays · Carnival — private-destination FAQ
- 10Norwegian — Great Stirrup Cay current facilities · Norwegian — planning guide
- 11Norwegian — Great Tides Waterpark pass
- 12Norwegian — Harvest Caye · Norwegian — à-la-carte dining description
- 13MSC — Ocean Cay · MSC — Yacht Club
- 14Disney — Castaway Cay visit FAQ
- 15Disney — Lookout Cay visit FAQ · Disney — Lookout Cay
- 16Virgin — Beach Club at Bimini
- 17Royal Caribbean Group — Paradise Island opening announcement
- 18MSC — Catalina Island / Sugar Beach
- 19MSC — Sir Bani Yas · MSC — accessibility form identifying regional private beaches
- 20Royal — Cozumel concept and waitlist · Royal — 2027–28 Caribbean deployment
- 21Royal — Lelepa
- 22Royal — announced 2027 destination expansion
- 23Royal — travel updates and Labadee suspension
- 24Seatrade Cruise News — Labadee off Royal Caribbean's charts for another full year (July 16, 2026)
- 25Disney Cruise Line — Know Before You Go: Kids (Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay)