Business

Norwegian Cruise Line

Bahamas cruise boom puts Cayman in the frame as private-island model expands

The Bahamas has become a key destination in the cruise industry's push to build larger, more controlled beach resorts, with Carnival, MSC and other lines investing in private or semi-private ports. The aim is to keep more passenger spending on site and give guests a smoother day ashore. Grand Cayman differs from the private-destination model now being pursued by the major cruise groups. Ships continue to drop anchor and tender passengers to shore. This means the port call is still shared with the island, not fully controlled by the cruise line. However, Grand Cayman remains an important cruise call in the Cayman Islands, in a region where the biggest operators are increasingly choosing destinations they own and control.