Princess Cruises drops visits to private Bahamas beach resort

Princess Cays, a popular private beach owned by Princess Cruises, has disappeared from the line’s itineraries in favour of other port stops.

Ships will instead visit Caribbean islands owned by sister brands within the Carnival group for the first time this winter.

Previously, passengers could relax on 40 acres of white sand beach at Princess Cays and take part in activities such as kayaking and snorkelling. Princess Cruises has been visiting the destination for 30 years.

But its future is unclear after newly-published autumn itineraries aboard Princess Cruises’ ships no longer include the destination.

A statement from Princess Cruises said: “As with all cruise vacations, itineraries may occasionally be adjusted for a variety of operational and commercial reasons.”

Instead, the fleet will visit Relax Away Half Moon Cay, shared by Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line.

Its ships will also visit Celebration Key, opened by Carnival Cruise Line last year.

The cruise line said Princess Cays is not closing and the destination will remain open to all cruise lines for calls year-round.

Princess Cays still features on several Carnival Cruise Line itineraries in November 2027 and 2028.

It comes as other cruise lines are expanding their presence in the Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line recently completed a revamp of Great Stirrup Cay with a new waterpark, pier and pools.

Royal Caribbean, which takes guest to its own island called CocoCay during Caribbean sailings, opened its own private beach club in the Bahamas at the end of last year.

MSC Cruises has also unveiled plans for a private Caribbean island called Sandy Cay. It also visits Cay Marine Reserve and the private Catalina Sugar Beach destination.

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