If you’ve traveled to the Bahamas a million times and are starting to get bored with the options, you’re in luck. Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are working to expand their exclusive port services with new private destinations expected to open in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
What that means for passengers is that a slew of new beaches, restaurants, shore excursions and even children’s facilities will soon be yours to enjoy on cruises. to the islands.
Here’s a look at what we know about Disney Cruise Line‘s Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera and Royal CaribbeanRoyal Beach Club at Paradise Island.
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Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line revealed plans for Lighthouse Point in 2019, but development has been hampered by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the line that says at Expo D23 2022 Construction is underway on Eleuthera Island.
“New details on Lighthouse Point reveal a relaxing beach escape designed for families, imbued with the colors and energy of Bahamian art, and developed with a commitment to core conservation. its core”, the line said in a March 9 statement on its website.
Lighthouse Point services are set up to include the following:
- A family-friendly beach on the east side of the island.
- An art and cultural pavilion focusing on Bahamian traditions.
- Family water play area, including 2 slides, water drum, fountain and children’s area.
- Covered game pavilions, volleyball courts, gaga ball pits, bike rentals and watersports equipment, and nature trails are for the adventurous.
- An adults-only beach, complete with a dedicated bar and dining area, as well as six private cabanas for rent.
- A supervised, themed kids club for kids ages 3 to 12, with splash areas and dedicated dining facilities, all with plenty of shade.
- A set of 20 family tents – four of which are double tents for larger groups and offer massages – are available for rent on a beach along the island’s southwest coast.
- A chance to learn about the island’s natural habitats and what the route is doing to protect them.
- A new selection of shore excursions will allow passengers to explore other areas of Eleuthera in partnership with local tour operators.
Disney has committed to developing only a small portion of the land it has purchased — something it says it will do with environmental and sustainability goals in mind. It also donated part of Lighthouse Point’s land to the Bahamian government.
The location of Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera Island is about 140 miles from Castaway Cay, cruise ship terminal Exclusive private island.
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In addition to Disney Cruise Line passengers, locals will also be able to visit Lighthouse Point.
In spite of Princess Cruise‘ the private island, Princess Cays, is technically part of Eleuthera, Princess Cays can only be accessed by passengers who visit the island on board the Princess and it doesn’t allow passengers to explore the rest by Eleuthera. That makes Lighthouse Point the first cruise line development port area on Eleuthera to grant access to those living in the area and grant passenger access to the rest of the island.
Details on Lighthouse Point’s dining, entertainment and retail options, as well as shore excursions, will be announced later.
Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island
The Royal Beach Club, located at the western end of Nassau’s Paradise Island, is a joint venture between the cruise line and the Bahamian government. Of the 17-acre property, Royal Caribbean owns 13; The remaining four were given to the service by the Bahamas for development.
As part of the deal, Bahamians can own 49% of the venture, with locals running the majority of the operation and a portion of the profits going back to the Bahamian government and the people living on the island.
At this time, there are few details about the specific services of the beach club. Visitors can expect private cabanas, pools, beach access, island barbecue lunches and plenty of local musicians and artists, according to a declared on the cruise ship’s website. Additional information will be released in the coming months.
Although many ships call at Nassau, located on New Providence Island, there are currently no ships calling at Paradise Island, which is directly across from the Port of Nassau. Paradise Island is known for the iconic Atlantis Paradise Island resort located there.
When it opens, the Royal Beach Club will join other Royal Caribbean exclusive branded properties: Perfect Day private island at CocoCay elsewhere in the Bahamas and Labadee private beach in Haiti.
bottom line
In a never-ending quest to offer passengers more diversity, cruise lines have built and operated their own dedicated beach recreation areas for many years.
Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point and Royal Caribbean’s Beach Club at Paradise Island are just two reasons travel fans are excited about booking trips to the Bahamas in the years to come.
From luxury cabanas and new shore excursions to cultural experiences and adult-only beaches and kids’ club areas, the beach areas are sure to offer something new. something for most people.
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