Private Beach Paradise Awaits Princess Passengers

Sun bathing, volleyball, banana boat rides, aqua bikes, snorkeling, shopping, live music, barbeque … Princess Cays offers guests everything they need for the ultimate day at the beach. Reserved exclusively for Princess’ guests, this private paradise has often been described by guests as the favorite stop of their Caribbean cruise.

Located on the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera in the outer Bahamas, Princess Cays has offered a beachside hideaway to guests since 1992. The beach is situated on approximately 40 acres, including more than a mile and a half of pristine, white-sand shoreline and is a featured call on Princess’ Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
The carefully developed site includes a number of resort facilities surrounded by the natural beauty of indigenous landscaping. The island includes a pier for the ship’s tenders, picnic, barbeque and bar facilities, a lookout tower, shopping marketplace and a water sports kiosk.Beautiful white-sand beaches extend for miles in either direction from the center of the resort.

Princess Cays guests will find equipment for many beach activities.Water sports fans can choose from water craft such as paddle wheelers, kayaks, and banana boat rides, while those who wish to explore the island’s coral reef can rent gear for snorkeling. For more leisurely aquatic pursuits, floating mattresses and aqua chairs are available for lazily drifting in the sun, and several protected swimming areas are available on both the north and south beach areas.

Princess Cays also offers its guests the opportunity to explore the undersea world of Eleuthera in a custom-built glass-bottom boat. The more adventurous can participate on a snorkel tour that cruises along the southern coast of the island to a shallow reef for a closer look at the local marine life.

For those who want to venture beyond the beach, the “Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Scenic Drive & Lunch” tour offers guests the opportunity to encounter the local culture. The four-hour tour gives travelers a taste of the island with an authentic native lunch plus with the chance to experience Junkanoo, traditional Bahamian-style entertainment that incorporates music, costumes, and dance. As they explore the island, guests will view Eleuthera’s tropical vegetation, quaint villages and small pristine churches.

Back at the beach, reggae and calypso music set the mood, and guests can enjoy a game of volleyball or basketball, or choose to relax with the available beach chairs or can rent a clamshell or private bungalow.

These private options give guests the opportunity to unwind in their own shady beach spot. Clamshell-style cabanas include two reserved lounge chairs for a nominal fee. For small group gatherings or extra privacy, guests can instead choose a beach bungalow for up to four people. Each colorful bungalow, features air-conditioning and ceiling fan, a table and four chairs inside, two sun loungers, and a private shower. Priority tender tickets are also included in the $199 rental.  Guests can add a sumptuous gourmet picnic to the bungalow rental, featuring dishes such as Italian-style antipasti, lobster and mango salad, an artisan cheese board with tropical fruits and fig bread, plus an Island barbeque selection, and petite pastry selection.

The Sanctuary at Princess Cays provides a more secluded bungalow experience in an adults-only area. The Sanctuary Bungalows, available for $249, are similar to the island’s other bungalow, but also include upgraded furniture, water-misters, and provide a private haven for up to four adults. A VIP gourmet lunch can also be added to a Sanctuary Bungalow rental, that includes a Caribbean gazpacho, chilled seafood platter, jerk chicken and pork spareribs, Jamaican hardo bread, salad, fresh fruit and honey yogurt dip, with vanilla ice cream and brownies for dessert. Each person can also enjoy a signature/island cocktail included with the meal.

Children also have their own area, and can make the most of their island adventure in Pelican’s Perch, a supervised play area complete with a replica galleon, sand playground and separate restroom facilities.

No matter how one chooses to spend it, a relaxing day at the beach wouldn’t be complete without a cold drink and beachside barbeque.Princess Cays features four bars conveniently located throughout the beach, where guests can charge the day’s libations to their shipboard accounts. Two barbeque pavilions serve up a selection of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, fruit, cookies and other items for a hearty lunch.

Shoppers will enjoy the Tropical Treasures boutique, featuring an array of gifts and souvenirs which can be purchased duty free and charged to shipboard accounts. In addition, local vendors offer a variety of Bahamian handicrafts and services, such as island hairstyling.

Ship calls in Princess Cays average about seven to eight hours, giving guests a full day to enjoy all of the fun-in-the-sun options available at their own private beach party.