Cruise lines eye reopening of private islands in the Bahamas

The Disney Dream at Castaway Cay.
The Disney Dream at Castaway Cay. Photo Credit: David Roark/Disney

With the passing of Hurricane Dorian, cruise lines were assessing, and gearing up to reopen, their private destinations in the Bahamas.

At Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, the line said that it needed to evaluate the pier and ship channel before reopening the island to passengers. It also will clean up some landscaping and make minor repairs to the roof of one small covered pavilion area.

Holland America Line said its ships were to return to Half Moon Cay on Oct. 21 as scheduled, and Carnival Cruise Line will be back on the island Sept. 12. Holland America said there was minor beach erosion that will be cleaned up, but no structural damage. “The horses and stingrays are doing well,” it said.

Princess Cruises said initial reports “show only cosmetic damage and beach erosion” on  Princess Cays, its private destination on Eleuthera.

Norwegian Cruise Line said Thursday it was still assessing the situation at Great Stirrup Cay.

As reported previously, Royal Caribbean said it would reopen Perfect Day at CocoCay on Sept. 7, after survey teams decided it was feasible.

Navigator of the Seas undergoes US$115M refit

<i>Navigator of the Seas</i> undergoes US$115M refit
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas’ refurbishment includes installing the world’s longest waterslide at sea

Royal Caribbean International has revealed plans to install the world’s longest waterslide at sea on its ship Navigator of the Seas.

The ship will relaunch on 24 February after a US$115M refit.

The waterslide – called The Blaster – will propel a two-person raft through more than 244 m of hills, drops and straightaways including a section that extends over the side of the ship.

“Each Royal Caribbean ship brings a new adventure uniquely designed to deliver on our guests’ preferences from A to Z,” said Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Michael Bayley. Every detail matters and we’ve mapped out an unmatched combination of innovative features and experiences for this top-to-bottom transformation of Navigator of the Seas.”

Navigator of the Seas‘ multi-million dollar makeover also includes:

  • To Dry For, the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea.
  • Planet Z glow in the dark laser tag.
  • The Observatorium, Royal Caribbean’s escape room.
  • The Lime and Coconut two-level signature cocktail bar.
  • New restaurants, bars and coffee shop.

Navigator of the Seas will be the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, the debut destination in the cruise line’s recently announced private island collection, opening in May 2019.