Carnival Cruise Lines has invested big in private island destinations. The company’s newest private port, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, is scheduled to open in October. Carnival also recently signed a $70 million letter-of-intent to develop a cruise port on Tortuga, an island off the northwest coast of Haiti.
Private cruise ports feature shopping, dining, recreational activities and excursion opportunities. Cruise ships typically spend one day or one night at these private ports. Port developers often lease berthing space to competitors, such as at the popular Costa Maya port.
Carnival already operates private cruise ports in the Turks and Caicos, Honduras, Mexico and the Bahamas. Amber Cove , which cost $65 million to develop, is set on 30 acres on the north coast of the Dominican Republic near Puerto Plata. With more than 100,000 visitors per year expected, the first ship from Port Everglades to call on the new port will be Carnival Conquest.
Tortuga Island, off the northern coast of Haiti, is Carnival’s latest addition to their private-port portfolio. The cruise company recently announced plans to employ as many as 900 people at the new venture. Home to nearly 25,000 people, the island was a pirate sanctuary in the 1600’s.
Carnival already operates four private cruise centers, including:
Grand Turk. Located on the southern end of Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos, this 13-acre project opened in 2006. The $50-million port includes an artificial wave pool, a white-sand beach and the requisite duty-free shopping. Passengers can enjoy the largest outpost of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville complex in the Caribbean. Snorkel off the beach, rent a poolside cabana, or schedule an excursion, all just steps away from your cruise ship.
Mahogany Bay. Located on the southern end of Roatan, this 20-acre private development debuted in 2009. The world’s second largest coral reef rings the island, which is just off the coast of Honduras. The two-berth port features the Magic Flying Beach Chair, a five-minute scenic chairlift ride that glides more than 60 feet above the beach. The chairlift transports people from the cruise terminal to Mahogany Beach.
Costa Maya. Located on the southern Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, this private port opened for business in 2001. The port features two saltwater pools that feature swim-up bars, as well as an opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Shore excursions to the nearby Mayan ruins, Uvero Beach or Mahahaul fishing village are available.
Half Moon Cay. Located in the Bahamas, this 55-acre private area opened in 1997. The crescent-shaped beach, located on Little San Salvador Island, gave the place its name. The port was rated Best Private Island by Porthole Magazine for four years in a row. The complex’s Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Center features a water park with a pirate-ship water slide. Walk nature trails, rent beachside cabanas or swim with the stingrays in Stingray Cove.