Priznajte si to. Sú chvíle, kedy si prajete, aby ste utiekli tak, že sa presťahujete na svoj vlastný súkromný ostrov. Niektorí cestujúci na výletných plavbách môžu vlastne aspoň na jeden deň. Každá z nasledujúcich výletných plavieb ponúka cestujúcim deň zábavy na slnku na svojom vlastnom súkromnom ostrove. Pre mnohé výletné plavby je táto zastávka vrcholom cesty. Koniec koncov, čo by mohlo byť lepšie ako sedieť na pláži s bielym pieskom, piť piňacoladu a slniť sa bez davov?
“Je to úžasná destinácia, určite sa ešte vrátim!”
Všetky tieto ostrovy majú nedotknuté pobrežie, krásne palmy, krásne modrú vodu a veľa dobrodružstva na mori. Tam sú zvyčajne poplatky za pobrežné výlety a prenájom vybavenia. Každá destinácia ponúka niečo iné pre cestujúcich plavby.
Dokonca aj na prvý pohľad, CocoCay vyzerá ako typický karibský úkryt. Sú tam široké úseky pláže v tichých zátokách, ostrovné chatrče v jasných karibských ružových a modrých farbách a farebný trh ponúkajúci bahamské remeselné výrobky a tovar.
V roku 2002 spoločnosť investovala viac ako 21 miliónov amerických dolárov na to, aby zmenila tento úsek pôdy o rozlohe 140 ha na miesto, kam by ich cestujúci nikdy nezabudli. Naučné stezky prechádzajú cez ostrov, ktorý je domovom divých kurčiat, páv a príležitostných iguánov. Tí, ktorí hľadajú osamelosť, sa budú tešiť na hojdacie siete, ktoré sa nachádzajú pod kokosovými stromami na pokojných miestach.. Those seeking solitude will enjoy the hammocks that are hung under coconut trees in quiet locations.
Sea lovers have plenty of activities to choose from. Hop on a jet ski (US $ 95 for 50 minutes) and speed across waters so clear that you can see orange starfish 20 feet below, or don a snorkel mask and explore life under the sea up close.
For a great view of the island, try your hand at parasailing (US $ 79 per hour). You’ll soar 200-400 feet in the air and maybe even take a cooling dip in the water before returning to the boat. Children will enjoy Caylana’s Castle Cove and SeaTrek Aqua Park (US$ 15 adults, $10 children). Its floating sand castle and aquatic trampolines are just the things for those who are young at heart.
A staff of 45 people lives on CocoCay, and it’s obvious they take pride in keeping the island’s natural beauty in top condition. Their pampering service makes the island experience so pleasurable that you won’t want to leave when dusk falls all too soon.
“Disney knows children, so it’s no wonder that they feel at home on Castaway Cay”
The cruise ship docks right at the island (other cruise ships use tender boats to ferry passengers back and forth), so youngsters can head right down the ship’s ramp and out to explore Castaway Cay. There is a beach just for families, and Scuttle’s Cove is a safe and fun club for children. Parents need some time on their own, so there is Serenity Bay, a secluded beach for adults. For a little pampering, have a relaxing massage in the open-air cabanas at the seaside spa.
Game for a little exploration? Then grab a bike (child seats are available for little ones) and hit the trails (US$ 6 per hour). This is, after all, a secluded island getaway, and there are miles of empty shoreline and tropical forest to explore.
If you prefer the water, check out the Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure ($60). Participants walk with a guide through the island’s lush fauna and kayak through an ecologically sensitive mangrove environment. If paddling wears you out, just jump in for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear island waters.
Teens can get into their own adventure on The Wild Side (US$ 35), an excursion that includes snorkeling, biking and kayaking. Families who want to adventure together can try the Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure (US$ 49 adults, US$ 29 children). This easy 45-minute sail takes you out to calm waters and unspoiled coral reefs. Even younger children will enjoy floating in the turquoise Caribbean Sea with schools of colored fish.
Visitors to the tiny islet of Motu Mahana (Polynesian for sunlit island) are greeted with the sounds of Polynesia. Les Gauguines, an eight-woman song and dance troupe, perform beguiling love songs in their Polynesian tongue while guests enjoy a scrumptious feast under the shade of thatched huts. After lunch, guests can relax in the sea or wade for yards in the shallow waters while waiters wearing bathing suits offer tropical drinks to those in need of refreshment. Try out the complimentary water sports like kayaking or snorkeling. For a different experience, board a motorized outrigger canoe and head to the beautiful island lagoon of Taha’a. Taha’a is known for two things: producing vanilla and black pearls.
Guests can take a four-wheel drive tour into the hills to tour the vanilla plantations (US$ 65) or view French Polynesia’s rare jewel, the black pearl, at the Motu Pearl Farm (US$ 64). From there, head to the lagoon for some quality time with the region’s underwater fauna. There is even a small lagoonarium where rays, turtles, sharks and fish are enclosed in four different pools.
