If you’re considering booking a Carnival or Princess cruise that includes a stop at Princess Cays, then get ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Princess Cays is a tropical paradise in the Bahamas that attracts travelers looking for a luxurious getaway. It is one of the private destinations owned by these popular cruise lines.
Princess Cays offers an exclusive island experience unlike any other. From exciting water sports activities to serene beachfront relaxation, your visit to Princess Cays promises to be filled with endless possibilities and breathtaking beauty.
As you think about booking a Carnival Cruise to this tropical paradise, you might be curious about what awaits you on this Princess Cays island getaway.
Where is Princess Cays Located in the Bahamas?
Princess Cays, situated on the southern tip of Eleuthera island in the Bahamas. Eleuthera is on the Great Bahama Bank, about 70 miles east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
The location does indeed mean that visitors can expect consistently warm temperatures throughout the year, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a sunny escape. It’s no wonder that cruise ships flock to Princess Cays during the winter months when travelers long for sunshine and warmth.
How Big is Princess Cays?
Princess Cays occupies 40 acres in the southern part of Eleuthera Island, which is 100 miles long and about two miles wide and covers 176 square miles and. This makes Eleuthera the 8th largest island in the Bahamas, which has over 700 islands and 2,400 cays across 5,358 square miles.
Who Owns Princess Cays?
Princess Cays, a beautiful private resort and port of call in the Bahamas, is owned by Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.
This exclusive resort area on the island is available to Carnival Corporation’s cruise guests, offers a unique and exclusive experience.
What’s the Weather in Princess Cays?
The Princess Cays island is blessed with warm temperatures year-round, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a break from colder climates. Princess Cays weather is moderate with only slight variations between seasons.
Visiting Princess Cays offers a delightful escape from extreme weather conditions, with average daytime highs reaching 75°F (24°C) in the winter, visitors can bask in the mild temperatures while partaking in various outdoor activities.
As summer arrives, the temperature ramps up to around 85°F (29°C), creating a more tropical atmosphere accompanied by occasional thunderstorms.
The Princess Cays islands receive more rain from June to October during the wet season. The rain usually comes as short but heavy afternoon showers that pass quickly.
In winter, the islands have a dry, sunny climate, making it a perfect escape from the cold weather in North America and Europe.
Is Food Included on Princess Cays?
Princess Cays, the luxurious private island of Princess Cruises, offers a variety of dining options for visitors to enjoy. When you go to Princess Cays Bahamas, your meals are covered. There’s a buffet available near the tender pier for all visitors, offering a variety of barbecue dishes, salads, and delicious desserts to enjoy.
The cruise line supplies fresh food to the island, which the staff bring to island and then skillfully prepares each morning. This arrangement ensures that guests enjoy a variety of freshly cooked meals in a picturesque setting. It is like buffet restaurant on the ship but with more focus on burgers, chicken, and other BBQ favorites.
If you’re used to the big buffets at Disney’s Castaway Cay or Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, you might not like the smaller buffet at Princess Cays Bahamas. If you want more options, you can go back to the ship to eat, and it will be quieter than usual.
Is Princess Cays the Same as Half Moon Cay?
Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay are both private islands in the Bahamas owned by the Carnival Corporation.
Many travelers often confuse Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay, assuming they are interchangeable. These two locations offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Half Moon Cay stands out as a small private island. Princess Cays is not an island but rather a resort located on the beautiful Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas.
Most Cruises in the area visit either Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays, not both.
Both destinations operate similarly and offer similar activities, but they have some differences. Half Moon Cay is larger and offers a wider variety of excursions compared to Princess Cays. Guests also prefer the softer sands of Half Moon Cay.
What to Expect at Princess Cays
When you arrive at Princess Cays Bahamas, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff who will help you find your way around the island.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and beach volleyball. You can also relax on the beach and enjoy a barbecue lunch. You can join in music and organized activities if you want. The Junkanoo is a beach party with real Bahamian music, clothes, and dancing.
There are 3 beach areas: The Main Shore, Little Bay, and the adults-only beach at The Sanctuary. Little Bay is a short walk from the marina.
Princess Cays has more than 1.5 miles of beautiful, soft, white sandy beach. It is kept as a natural paradise.
Kid’s Play
The sandy play area at Pelican’s Perch is supervised and designed for kids to play and use their imagination. It has a replica pirate ship where kids can have fun pretending to be pirates. The ship is well-designed and helps kids play together and be creative as they pretend to sail the seas.
Princess Cays Snorkeling
Princess Cays offers an ideal environment for snorkeling, with its coral reefs and mangroves providing a rich habitat for diverse marine life. The clear water and many different sea animals make it a great place to explore.
Lucky snorkelers may encounter colorful fish, anemones, corals, and other sea creatures. Keep a lookout for sponges, giant clams, stingrays, dolphins, and turtles as well.
You have the option to either rent equipment or use your own and snorkel directly from the shore. The beach is good for snorkeling. But if you want to see more interesting plants and animals, it’s worth paying for a snorkeling boat trip. The guides are friendly and helpful, so even beginners can see cool things underwater and gain confidence.
Sports
At Princess Cay, sea lovers can have fun beyond the shore. You can play volleyball and basketball with friends for an active day in paradise.
Beaches
Princess Cays has more than 3,000 beach chairs arranged for guest comfort. This means you don’t have to pay extra for a good spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
You can rent private cabanas and air-conditioned beach bungalows, but you must book in advance. These colorful bungalows are great for families and come with beach chairs, offering shade with a view of the beach.
Couples can enjoy a romantic getaway at Princess Cay by renting a Beach Clamshell. You can enjoy and relax with your partner in your own private spot on the beach without any distractions in the cozy clamshell with two chairs.
Shopping
Princess Cays has a Craft Market that sells handmade items from the Bahamas. You can also check out the Princess Tropical Treasures Boutique for colorful island beachwear. Local vendors run other shops with souvenirs, T-shirts, hats, shells, and other regional items.
You can’t use your Sail & Sign card to pay for these accessories because the vendors don’t work for the cruise line. You need US dollars or a credit card.
Watersports
At Princess Cays, you can rent watersports equipment for an exciting adventure on the water. There are plenty of water sports options for everyone to enjoy.
At Princess Cays Bahamas, you can rent different types of watersports equipment, such as kayaks, windsurfing boards, dinghies, paddle wheelers, stand-up paddleboards, and banana boats. The banana boat rides usually end with a dunk in the water.
Explore the Princess Cays Excursions.
Guided Bus Tours
When you’re in Eleuthera, take guided bus tours to see the island’s beauty. These tours are comfortable and air-conditioned, and they show you the diverse landscapes and attractions of Eleuthera. You’ll see lush greenery and stunning beaches.
The tours will take you to the main highlights, including pink sandy beaches, towns like Rock Sound, caves, and geological formations like the Glass Window Bridge.
You’ll also get to experience local Bahamian life by visiting churches, schools, and markets.
Dune Buggy Adventure
Embark on a journey with a local expert along the lesser-known routes as you pilot your own Dune Buggy towards a stunning pink sand beach. The excursion encompasses an exploration of a saltwater lagoon and the unfathomable ocean hole at Rock Sound.
Outdoor Adventures
You can explore the 25-acre Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve. It has an environmental education center. You can walk along trails and see many native plants, each with its own story.
Island Bike Tour
Take a leisurely bike ride through Princess Cays with a guide to learn about the area’s history. Helmets and bikes are provided, but bring your own sunscreen. The tour includes stops at the Straw Market, a lagoon, and the historic Salt Pond, which was a salt production center in the 19th century. Finish your adventure at the Princess Cays Wishing Well.
Surf Fishing Tour
During this 2.5-hour fishing excursion, try your luck casting a line from the rugged shoreline using a spinning reel. All the gear like line and bait will be given to you. Remember to catch and release, as you can’t bring the fish back on the boat.
Fishing with long lines is not allowed near Eleuthera to protect the different types of sea creatures, like sharks and rays.
Boat Trips
Picture yourself gliding over the clear waters of Princess Cay, looking at the colorful marine life below. Book a spot on a Glass-bottom Boat Cruise at Princess Cay for an amazing adventure. The hour-long cruise lets you see marine life up close in their natural habitat. It’s a peaceful break from regular boat trips.
Stingray Encounter
These shallow, warm waters are a common habitat for stingrays. Many nature lovers and curious kids aged 6 and up enjoy getting up close to them.
Participants receive snorkel vest and water shoes before guides brief them about safety and fun facts about stingrays by the guides. The tour happens at a occur beach where guests can walk into the waist-high water.
Southern stingrays quickly approach to look for food. You can touch their smooth skin and give them food.
Princess Cays Transportation
Cruise ships don’t dock at the island because the water is too shallow. Instead, they anchor offshore. Guests are taken to the island on small boats called Tender (Ferried) boats. This port isn’t good for people who can’t move easily.
The tenders will drop you off at Love Boat Marina, which is a short walk from the beach. You will feel excited as you see the clear water and white sand.
When you arrive at Princess Cays Bahamas, you’ll find boardwalks that connect all the facilities. These boardwalks make it easy to get around and protect the island’s delicate ecosystem.
At Princess Cays, the motorized cart takes you to the private beach bungalows. It’s not just a way to get there, but also a fun experience.
Does the Drink Package Work on Princess Cays?
The Carnival Cheers drinks package makes your cruise more fun and easier, but it has limits. You can’t use it on Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay.
But You can use your Sail & Sign card to buy drinks at Princess Cays, Bahamas. This means you don’t need to bring a credit card or cash because you can charge everything to your onboard account.
If you visit Princess Cays on a Princess Cruises ship, you can use the Princess drink packages on the island.
What is the Minimum age for Drinking in Princess Cays?
In the Bahamas, the legal drinking age is 18, except at Princess Cays where it’s 21. This might surprise visitors who are used to the same rules as on the mainland. Guests who are 18, 19, or 20 years old cannot purchase alcoholic drinks at the resort.
What Equipment can you Rent at Princess Cays?
You can rent equipment for your fun day at Princess Cays to make the most of your visit. Here is list of equipment;
- Floating beds
- Aqua chairs
- Snorkel vests
- Water noodles
- Lockers
- Ocean-view seaboards (one hour)
- Kayaks (one or 2 person)
- Stand-up paddleboards (2 or 4 person)
- Aqua bikes
- Paddle wheelers
Do You Have to Book Excursions in Princess Cays?
When visiting island, it’s important to know that not all activities come with a price tag. You can enjoy free activities like swimming. If you want to do fun activities like dune buggy and sand bike tours, fishing trips, snorkeling, and other guided tours, it’s important to book in advance to make sure you can get a spot.
The decision to book excursions on your visit to Princess Cay ultimately comes down to personal preferences. Some people like exploring the island and doing activities like snorkeling or sightseeing tours. Others are happy just relaxing on the beaches and playing volleyball.
There are numerous thrilling excursions to consider, so it’s advisable to review the available options before your visit and decide which one interests you.
Does Princess Cays have a pool?
Princess Cays doesn’t have a big swimming pool, but it has other fun things to do. There’s a small pool for kids at Pelican’s Perch, where families can relax, and kids can play.
Guests can also swim in the clear, warm ocean. The ocean’s waves make it great for water sports like snorkeling and kayaking, giving guests a chance to connect with nature.
Are there sharks at Princess Cays?
Smaller nurse sharks have been occasionally spotted during snorkeling trips from island, these sightings are relatively rare and do not pose a significant threat to the safety of snorkelers.
In fact, snorkeling off the shores of the island is typically very safe and has many colorful sea animals. The expert guides with you will not only make you feel better but also teach you about the different wildlife in the clear waters.
Well, even though shark encounters are rare in these waters, the guides here are trained to spring into action at any sign of danger. Rumors say there’s a shark at this island, but it’s not real. It’s a fake shark put on the beach for people to take pictures with during their trip.
Does Princess Cays has WiFi?
The Medallion Net WiFi internet service is now available to guests on island, providing seamless connectivity even while enjoying the tranquil beauty of the private island.
Most private islands owned by cruise lines don’t have WiFi. This can be a big advantage if you want to go online to share photos and stories of your time on the island with friends and family.
Do people live on Princess Cays?
Princess Cays is a small tourist resort with no permanent residents. Thousands of tourists visit every year for its beautiful beaches and clear waters, but no locals live there year-round.
Certain residents from other parts of Eleuthera island do come to work, particularly the market vendors. The ship’s crew is responsible for overseeing various other tasks on Princess Cays.
The resort is private, so guests can relax and enjoy luxury in a safe and peaceful environment. Only people with permission to work or stay at the resort can go there, and casual visitors are not allowed.
Here is my favorite Carnival Princess Cays Photos collage
Princess Cays vs Half Moon Cay : Which One is Better
Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay both have beautiful beaches and clear water, but each has its own unique charm. Princess Cays is lively and has fun activities, making it great for people who want an exciting beach experience. On the other hand, Half Moon Cay is peaceful with calm waters and white sand, making it perfect for those who want to relax.
Adventure seekers love Princess Cays for its thrilling activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and banana boat rides. On the other hand, Half Moon Cay is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy horseback riding along the shoreline or bird watching in the lush vegetation.
Choosing between Princess Cay and Half Moon Cay depends on whether you prefer an action-packed beach escape, or a peaceful retreat surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. It’s not about which is better, but which aligns best with your vacation desires.
Conclusion
Princess Cays may be a relatively small resort, but it certainly does not lack in activities and amenities. From water sports to beach relaxation, there is something for everyone to enjoy without ever feeling overwhelmed by crowds.
The pretty setting and good facilities make it a great place to visit on a cruise. If you get the chance to stop at Princess Cays, make sure you take advantage of everything it offers and enjoy your time in this beautiful place.
FAQs – Princess Cays
Which Cruise Line Sails to Princess Cays?
Princess Cays is only visited by Carnival and Princess cruise ships.
How far is Princess Cays from Nassau?
The distance from Princess Cays to Nassau is 70 miles (110 km).
Do you Need a Passport to go to Princess Cays?
Princess Cays cruise port is in the Bahamas, American citizens are not required to have a passport when traveling to this destination. They just need to show a photo ID and a birth certificate.
Non-US citizens must have their passport when boarding a cruise to the United States. It is advisable for all passengers to carry a passport, as it facilitates rebooking in case of any disruptions to the cruise itinerary.
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