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Did you know that these two market-shifting cruise strains have personal islands of their very very own? In reality, Norwegian Cruise Line has two personal islands Wonderful Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye. while Royal Caribbean not long ago invested about $250 million bucks in 2019 to boost and renovate their non-public island – CocoCay, turning it into Excellent Day at CocoCay.
Norwegian Cruise Line has a exceptional partnership with the nation of Belize, that means that the purpose of the island is a little different than that of other cruise line personal islands.
Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest non-public island acquisition. The organization opened its most recent exceptional desired destination in 2016 to company. The two personal islands of Harvest Caye and Best Working day at CocoCay are really distinctive, and I am energized to investigate some of their big discrepancies with our readers!
Arrive along with me as we evaluate these two wonderful non-public islands, and see some of the terrific issues they have to offer you their friends!
My Encounters
(Entrance to Best Day at CocoCay)
In the previous 2 months I have experienced the privilege of viewing both Norwegian Cruise Line’s Harvest Caye and Royal Caribbean’s Ideal Working day at CocoCay. Equally of these personal islands supply identical ordeals, whilst also furnishing special actions that can only be experienced at just about every vacation spot.
I frequented CocoCay for the 1st time in January and was in a position to expertise the beautiful Seaside Club and Overwater Cabanas with fellow writers and pals at Cruise.Web site! This expertise was definitely remarkable, and this sort of a exciting way to make recollections with every person in our journey group.
I frequented Harvest Caye for the 1st time just a few months in the past in February and was able to comprehensively check out this distinctive resort-like island. I was in a position to wander all over the overall island and check out all of its complimentary options it presents to guests. I walked away from this destination loving it even additional than I assumed I would, and was genuinely impressed with what Norwegian Cruise Line experienced finished with its 2nd vacation resort-like personal island.
Place
Harvest Caye is situated just off the coastline of Belize. Though it is thought of an island, it is incredibly shut to the mainland of Belize, in fact guests can see the mainland across the h2o when they are on the island of Harvest Caye.
CocoCay is located squarely in The Bahamas and definitely provides its attendees a taste of the tropics and Caribbean. CocoCay is also positioned pretty intently to Norwegian Cruise Line’s initial private island – Excellent Stirrup Cay. Friends who have frequented CocoCay have possibly been able to see Excellent Stirrup Cay throughout the water, and visa versa!
For the reason that CocoCay is found in The Bahamas, most of the Royal Caribbean ships that sail on Caribbean itineraries will check out this personal island vacation spot. While Harvest Caye is found in Central The united states, not as a lot of of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships take a look at this location.
Because Harvest Caye is positioned off the coast of Belize, it offers a genuinely exceptional truly feel and experience to its attendees than some of the other non-public islands in the cruise line business. Visitors visiting this location will experience some thing distinct than just a lovely beach front and tropical drinks, attendees will get a small glimpse into Belizean society when visiting this island.
CocoCay currently being in The Bahamas offers Royal Caribbean travellers a accurate seem into paradise, though finding to working experience wonderfully managed seashores, inviting pools, thrilling waterslides, and a good deal of exciting parts to make recollections with cherished types and journey companions.
Seaside Access
(Segment of the seashore wander on Harvest Caye)
Each of these non-public islands have simple and complimentary public access to amazing beaches and heat tropical ocean h2o.
Each Harvest Caye and CocoCay have a good deal of lounge chairs and areas for company to spread out and loosen up though making the most of the sunshine. Both islands offer you complimentary lounge chairs for friends to use, though also providing the alternative of shaded beach front cabanas and other luxury and exceptional locations to visitors wishing to splurge even though viewing these personal islands.
In actuality, both CocoCay and Harvest Caye both have acres of white sand seashores for company to take pleasure in, surrounded by tall swaying palm trees. The two islands have beach front bars in the vicinity of the sand wherever company can simply acquire a refreshment.
A little something that I imagine is entertaining, is that each of these islands’ beach locations provide not only breathtaking ocean views, but also wonderful options to snap that ideal image of the cruise ship in the qualifications! Both of these islands have magnificent white sand beach locations that are guaranteed to make sure you any guest touring to the Caribbean and outside of!
Pools
(Harvest Caye pool)
Harvest Caye has a single significant pool with a swim-up bar in the centre of the island. This pool is superbly managed and in pristine ailment. The pool has a lot of complimentary lounge chairs surrounding it, in addition to luxurious pool cabanas offered for lease. The pool also options cascading waterfalls and a bridge that extends more than the pool offering company excellent sights of the advanced. In addition, there is a splash pad for youngsters that is located quite shut to equally the beach front and the pool place.
When it arrives to swimming pools and h2o pursuits, Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay may possibly have the upper hand. CocoCay has not just two, but a few pool spots out there for guests to take pleasure in. The most important pool on the island is termed the Oasis Lagoon and characteristics a swim-up bar and plenty of complimentary lounge chairs.
The 2nd pool spot is referred to as the Wave Pool. “When the clock hits zero, operate for go over – you’re about to get swept up in the Caribbean’s greatest wave pool ever. No matter whether you just want to dip a toe in, or you’re prepared to plunge into the simulated surf, these waves are suited to swimmers of all ages,” states Royal Caribbean about their Wave Pool.
The third pool on CocoCay belongs to the Coco Beach front Club community, and I can say from first hand experience, is definitely gorgeous. This infinity pool features unparalleled views of tropical paradise. This pool has in-h2o loungers, pool-side chairs, and a swim-up bar all set to supply company with refreshment. If you have the possibility of browsing the Beach Club on CocoCay, I hugely endorse examining out this lavish pool.
Thrill Waterpark is the identify of CocoCay’s drinking water park neighborhood. This area of the island has a thing for everyone, from great thrills to splash pads for the young members of the relatives. When it arrives to thrills, friends have to have to look at out Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest waterslide in North The us! A comprehensive scale waterpark is a little something that is actually special to a cruise line private island, and certainly worth examining out. Read through much more about some of our experiences in this article!
Exceptional Functions on Harvest Caye
(Harvest Caye Wildlife Encounter)
“Harvest Caye in Southern Belize is the Caribbean’s premier island vacation spot. Immerse you in organic attractiveness and culture on a 75-acre oasis showcasing an expansive pool with a swim-up bar, salt-h2o lagoon for drinking water athletics, special 7-acre beach and exciting shore excursions raging from zip lining throughout the island to snorkeling the world’s 2nd biggest barrier reef,” states Norwegian Cruise Line about its personal island.
Harvest Caye has one particular of the most distinctive complimentary functions I have seen so significantly on a cruise line non-public island, allow on your own cruise port – a nature protect knowledge. This complimentary expertise allows guests to see some of the lovely and unique animals and creatures that exist in, and are native, to the country of Belize.
I thought that the nature knowledge was this sort of a wonderful way to get a glimpse into the tradition of Belize by obtaining to see up near some of the animals that are indigenous to this stunning and tropical spot.
Some of the animals that visitors will have the option to see in the character heart are butterflies, fish, toucans, snakes, macaws, iguanas, and a lot more! This is these types of a enjoyment, academic, and complimentary activity for attendees to appreciate on the island, and I believe would be especially interesting for small young ones and families. Make confident you look at it out the upcoming time you visit Harvest Caye!
Something that I appreciated during the island, was the tiny entertaining-simple fact boards that detailed what distinctive species of plants were being on the island or diverse Belizean history. This served to share even extra of the uniqueness of Harvest Caye getting located in the state of Belize, and gave attendees an even more in-depth appear into the culture.
Norwegian Cruise Line is a enthusiast of zip-lines, as they aspect at least one on each of their non-public islands, on Harvest Caye and Wonderful Stirrup Cay. In fact, there are two zip traces on Harvest Caye, a single that flys about the seashore and surf, and one particular that flys around the salt drinking water lagoon. The zip-line does come at an additional value for attendees to participate in, but it is an option for visitors to encounter a little something definitely unique while viewing the island.
A little something that I considered was one of a kind, and yet another way to have a compact glimpse into the Belizean culture, is that regional Belizean artists and distributors are invited on to the island and they are capable to provide nearby foods items, art, and handmade souvenirs that attendees can choose house with them to bear in mind their travels by. I appreciated that these products and solutions had been authentically created in Belize! One thing to be aware, is that most of the sellers only choose money and not card. The distributors will accept U.S. dollars, and I recommend using out some funds either ahead of having off the ship for the day, or even ahead of you start off your cruise holiday vacation.
Harvest Caye not only has a big pool and expansive beach access, it also has its have salt h2o lagoon. This lagoon is wonderful for h2o sports which include kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and float boats. All of the water sport machines is accessible for hire proper next to the lagoon, offering friends yet another perspective of the island, and a entertaining action that the entire relatives or a group of good friends can delight in alongside one another.
Exclusive Actions on CocoCay
(Beach front Club pool on CocoCay)
“This is not trip times used. This is bragging rights acquired. Cruise to CocoCay to conquer the tallest waterslide in North The united states and snap a shot from up to 450 feet up in a helium ballon. Grab a drink at the swim-up bar and soak up the scene in the most significant freshwater pool in the Bahamas. Or get a taste of Bora Bora with your individual Overwater Cabana. Find out the magic of Fantastic Working day at CocoCay – only onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises,” claims Royal Caribbean about their distinctive island paradise.
CocoCay is so packed with things to do, that the island is divided into what Royal Caribbean calls ‘neighborhoods’. These neighborhoods are identified as Coco Beach front Club, Thrill Waterpark, Oasis Lagoon, Chill Island, South Seaside, Up Up and Away, and Arrival’s Plaza.
Alongside with a complete waterpark on the island, CocoCay also has a zipline of its possess, a giant pool finish with swim-up bar, distinctive luxury regions for people hunting for an elevated knowledge, tons of beach area, a wave pool, and extra than ample island to take a look at that attendees will want to take a look at this island once more and again.
“Take your getaway experience to the skies aboard a helium balloon and see the non-public island like never right before – from the maximum vantage place in The Bahamas. Really feel your coronary heart race whilst soaring up to 450 feet previously mentioned land and sea, then enable the question wash in excess of you as you coastline on the breeze,” states Royal Caribbean relating to their incredibly hot air balloon experience exclusively on CocoCay.
CocoCay has some of the most unique routines and features accessible to company out of any cruise line personal island. One of those people certainly distinctive experiences is the Up, Up and Absent hot air balloon experience for friends to be capable to soar to new heights. This experience does expense extra, and if friends opt for to participate in this action the price tag will be charged to their stateroom account.
Not only does CocoCay provide unique on-seaside hammocks and special Seaside Cabanas for friends, there is also the wonderful Coco Seaside Club. A single of the highlights of the Beach Club, are the Bora Bora-style Overwater Cabanas that offer you visitors a certainly deluxe practical experience. “The very first Overwater Cabanas in The Bahamas provide a little bit of Bora Bora to your Excellent Day at CocoCay getaway with unbeatable views of the horizon, overwater hammocks, freshwater showers and private slides that fall you ideal into the crystal-distinct waters beneath,” claims Royal Caribbean about this exclusive giving.
Possibility for Excursions
(Harvest Caye Zipline)
Whilst the opportunities are limitless ashore on the island of CocoCay, there are not any solutions for excursions off the island. CocoCay is an island in The Bahamas, and is around other non-public islands.
Due to the fact Harvest Caye is positioned extremely intently to Belize, just off the coast, it provides the guests of Norwegian Cruise Line the prospect to see some of what the region has in retailer for readers.
Company can possibly pre-e-book excursions from Harvest Caye just before their cruise or when they get onboard. There are options to go on day-excursions to see lagoon wildlife, Mayan temples, rainforest river tubing, and parasailing.
The potential of being equipped to see some of Belize is a terrific alternative for guests browsing Harvest Caye. If you are anyone who appreciates the potential to see other nations around the world and cultures while you journey through cruise, Harvest Caye may well be a excellent choice if you are picking one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private islands, or Royal Caribbean’s.
Food stuff and Consume
(Entrance to principal cafe on Harvest Caye)
It is crucial to note, because Norwegian Cruise Line has a distinctive partnership with the region of Belize relating to Harvest Caye, all food items and consume on the island appear at an extra value, even if guests have bought the onboard beverage deal.
Owing to its exclusive governance, this suggests that there is no complimentary food items on the island of Harvest Caye, even although the island is owned and is solely utilised by Norwegian Cruise Line. Harvest Caye does have various bars and restaurants for guests to examine out and discover ought to they require a refreshment from having in the lovely sunshine and sand of the island.
CocoCay on the other hand has many choices of complimentary foods for guests. “Perfect Working day at CocoCay provides masses of possibilities to gas up in in between adventures. Like harbor facet views, hen wings and fries with signature dipping sauces at Captain Jack’s. Freshly grilled burgers and barbecued chicken at Skipper’s Grill,” states Royal Caribbean about some of the complimentary food items alternatives onshore at CocoCay.
Style and Environment
(CocoCay sign and directory)
These two non-public islands are give really unique atmospheres to its traveling to visitors. CocoCay presents entertaining and vibrance, when Harvest Caye offers lush greenery and peace.
It is my particular belief that these two vacation resort-like personal islands present one thing exceptional and various to its visitors, and thus some visitors will love the thrilling electricity of CocoCay, though some others may enjoy the subdued quiet and tranquility of Harvest Caye.
CocoCay is sprawling in its enjoyment and exercise offerings for visitors. Even though Harvest Caye focuses additional on offering company a style of Belize, though making it possible for them to love the beauty of this resort-like island.
I believe that each CocoCay and Harvest Caye have a great deal for visitors to take a look at about the study course of their working day. In fact, I think that company of each Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line could return to these exceptional islands a number of moments and nonetheless practical experience new things and take pleasure in their time ashore once more and once more on every go to.
I recognize that CocoCay has absent higher than and outside of in making a location entirely special and fitting to the Royal Caribbean brand name, supplying visitors the prospect to expertise both of those thrills and luxury in the identical working day.
Harvest Caye puts a large amount of effort into staying genuine to its Belizean roots which I think is crucial and makes this destination actually distinctive. It has the allure of Belize and the pleasurable leisure of it currently being a personal island owned and managed by Norwegian Cruise Line.
Conclusion
Getting frequented both these attractive islands, I would say that it certainly is dependent on your private preferences and desires for your trip which location you will enjoy far more!
If you want a ton of actions and a thrilling waterpark, I would opt for CocoCay. If you would like to practical experience a lush, eco-friendly, and exceptional island with Belizean flare, I would select Harvest Caye.
When it arrives to giving a superb working day for the entire family, CocoCay does have a lot more solutions such as the wave pool, splash pads, and various shorelines. Even so, Harvest Caye does have matters these kinds of as the big splash pad, pool, and nature experience that the youthful associates of the relatives are confident to take pleasure in.
Just one of the issues that I greatly recognize about CocoCay compared to Harvest Caye, is the complimentary meals options obtainable. I was fairly amazed to uncover that there is no complimentary food ashore on Harvest Caye, and this would suggest that if guests do not want to shell out further money ashore, they will have to go all the way back to the ship. CocoCay lets visitors to enjoy several complimentary meals options though also sitting down back again at the beach front or pool.
I firmly believe that that older people and groups of buddies will have a good day exploring both equally of these islands together. There is a great deal of beach house on each islands, which includes more than 6 acres on Harvest Caye.
Friends will delight in a wonderful working day in paradise no make any difference which cruise line private island they opt for, it all is dependent on what every single guest is looking for when it comes to their family vacation!