For Immediate Release

Live Like Royalty on a Private Island with Butlers in Open-Air Gazebos

Five Reasons Spending the Day on a Private Island will Rejuvenate You!

DETROIT (April 19, 2011) - Why is spending the day on a private island such a sought-after adventure? It’s not too difficult to imagine. Aside from the obvious, these islands have many amenities that up the “wow” factor and make these outings a “must-do” for anyone.

The experts at CruiseCompete have compiled a list of 5 things their clients absolutely rave about from their visits to private islands:

1. The Royalty Factor – On a private island, you feel king (or princess) for a day. A visit to Half Moon Cay, Holland America’sprivate island in the Bahamas you will find, Air-conditioned, open-air beach cabanas, steps from warm, blue, pristine waters. Private butlers magically appear (for a small fee) from nowhere to fill beverage glasses, while others prepare hot and chilled appetizers, or present cool cucumbers to soothe guests’ eyes from the tropical sun. You may not be a millionaire, but you most certainly can live like one for a day.

2. Charm and Glamour- Just the thought of spending the day on a private island sounds so…exotic. It’s an experience that sets this vacation apart from others…there’s nothing mundane about time spent on a gorgeous beach in a foreign land. These are memories in the making, and the kind of travel story that deserves retelling.

3. Breathtaking Scenery, Amazing Photographs- The islands of the Caribbean offer some of the world’s most picturesque spots. Turquoise waters, stunning coral reefs, beautiful beaches and gorgeous plants and native wildlife appeal to the senses. When you leave, it will be with a greater appreciation of our planet’s natural beauty, and photographs that capture a true heaven on earth.

4. “Blow You Away” Activities – Experience all the Caribbean has to offer! For the more active crowd, a variety of optional island explorations, shopping and water sports activities keep people busy all day long. “beach Olympics,” snorkeling with stingrays, personal watercraft tours, kayak lagoon tours, parasailing, take a tour via jeep or go whale-watching, or try a fun-filled floating aqua playground.

5. The De-Stress factor – This one just cannot be argued…these visits allow passengers to experience the contentment and relaxation that simply isn’t possible in everyday life. Beach umbrellas, cabanas and other shady spots are available to those who want to step out of the sun, and beachside massages soothe the senses. Want a little extra privacy? Retreat to the seclusion of one of the islands’ more quiet beaches. Families are more than welcome, with plenty to do for all ages, including aqua parks, hiking trails and other kid-friendly activities, and many areas on the islands are handicap accessible. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the beach life!

Amenities and activities vary from island to island, so here’s some information on what to expect, depending on which cruise line you choose:

Costa Cruises- Costa Cruisesguests visit Catalina Island, located just 1.5 miles from the southeast corner of the mainland of the Dominican Republic. This island stop features activities such as volleyball, snorkeling “beach Olympics” and massages. Cruise passengers can also rent jet skis, go for banana-boat rides, or simply relax on the beach. It is a bonanza of culture and relaxation, with local musicians and shopping to round out an idyllic day.

Disney Cruise Line - Disney’s Castaway Cay provides plenty of magic and fun for people of all ages. The three-mile long island, (mostly undeveloped and holding a wild charm), provides plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy its natural beauty. The island caters to guests in true Disney style; this is the only private island featuring cruise ship-docking capabilities, versus shuttle boats between the ship and island, which allow guests to come and on a whim. Attractions include the Castaway Family Beach, Serenity Bay for adults, Teen Beach and Scuttle’s Cove for kids, plus numerous water sports, biking, snorkeling and water tour excursions.

Holland America Line- Half Moon Cay, rated the “Best Private Island” by Porthole Cruise Magazine, (for the past 10 years, by the way) is located on three mile-long Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, of which only two percent has been developed. Holland America’sHalf Moon Cay was built on a crescent-shaped white sand beach more than a mile in length. Island attractions include horseback riding (land and sea), snorkeling with stingrays, personal watercraft tours, kayak lagoon tours, parasailing, massages and the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park. A private butler will attend to virtually any need during your stay, and the island makes a lovely setting for a destination wedding.

MSC Cruises- Many MSC Caribbean cruises stop for the day in Cayo Levantado, a gorgeous island off the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula. Passengers on MSC can enjoy a beautiful beach (the snorkeling and swimming are wonderful), take a tour via jeep or go whale-watching. One note: Cayo Levantado isn’t technically MSC’s private island; it’s owned by a Dominican company- the island is considered a shore excursion, and passengers are charged a fee to visit.

Norwegian Cruise Line- Travelers set foot on Great Stirrup Cay, located 120 nautical miles east of Fort Lauderdale in the Berry Island chain of the Bahamas. There are two maintained beaches on the island, plus several other more isolated ones. NCL visitors can experience native plants, animals and marine life at every turn. Water sports activities include snorkeling, paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks and parasailing. The Hippo Water Slide, the world’s largest inflatable waterslide (40 feet high and 175 feet long) is a popular favorite with families stopping in Great Stirrup Cay, but does involve a separate cost.

Princess Cruise Line- Princess Cays is located on the southern portion of Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, featuring white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The lagoons are great for snorkeling and swimming; water lovers can also rent aqua bikes, seaboards, paddleboats, clear-hull kayaks, sailboats, or float rafts. Enjoy a beach barbeque and a full staff of drink servers is ready with cocktails and soda. Looking to relax with a good book? Princess offers plenty of beach umbrellas, tiki huts and hammocks that rock beneath the shady trees.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises- Although not affiliated with Princess, ships of Regent Seven Seasdo make stops at Princess Cays on some of their Caribbean itineraries.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity- Located in the middle of the Caribbean is the secluded 140-acre private island of Coco Cay, an island designed exclusively for Royal Caribbeanand Celebrity passengers. The tropical paradise was recently updated with new aquatic facilities, including the new 20,000 square-foot Caylana’s Castle Cove, a fun-filled floating aqua playground. Other popular activities include SeaTrek adventure wave runners, snorkeling and parasailing, nature trail hikes and areas designed solely for relaxation. The sandy beach and coral reefs of Labadee, their second private island off the coast of Haiti, is a wonderful place to unwind and have fun. Activities include kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing and bike riding. Become a pirate for a day, ride a wave runner, or just lie on the beach and relax.
These wonderful islands offer something for everyone, and make a cruise experience truly memorable for years to come. To find out more about private islands and the activities involved when visiting them, please contact your CruiseCompete agent.

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