Cruise Lines Ramp Up Investment in Private Island Experiences

We’ve seen competition between cruise lines jockeying to build the biggest and most tricked-out ship for a while. Now cruise lines are bringing some of that competitive spirit to the private island experience offered on Caribbean cruises.

The new options are as distinctive as the cruise lines themselves. MSC Cruises’ new Ocean Cay is the impressive result of a four-year restoration of what was an industrial waste site. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at Coco Cay, which may be the first in a series of such islands around the world, underwent a $250 million transformation last year. Virgin Voyages designed its sophisticated Beach Club for adults only.

Cruise experts predict that this is only the beginning, as more cruise lines seek to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Travel advisors and their clients will want to stay tuned to see what comes next.

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Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [[email protected]] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.