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Daily Mirror
01-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Incredible private islands you can only visit on a cruise including Disney spot
Cruise lines have their own private islands for guests to enjoy - take a look at four seriously bucket list-worthy destinations you'll want on your radar The appeal of cruise holidays has traditionally focused on visiting a wide variety of places. But an increasing number of firms are choosing to drop anchor at exclusive destinations in idyllic locations. Private island stops are becoming a highlight of itineraries, with big players investing heavily in castaway cays reserved for their guests. Holland America Line, part of the Carnival Group, recently revealed a revamp of their popular Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. A new pier will allow more ships to dock at the destination – soon to be named RelaxAway island, hinting at the investment planned for more laid back leisure facilities. Other lines have equally big ideas. Expanding beyond The Bahamas – where most island escapes have been based to date – Royal Caribbean is hoping to develop a new Perfect Day project in Mexico (due to open in 2027), while MSC has announced plans for an Abu Dhabi private island experience in the Middle East. And why not? – discovering a secret island is, after all, the stuff of childhood dreams. Here are some of the fantasy islands where it's already possible to set sail. Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas In 1977, this was the first island to be bought by a company solely for their guests. Norwegian Cruise Line has built a resort with bars and restaurants over the years and there are still more developments to come in the 268-acre tropical oasis. You can book guided snorkelling tours around a marine sanctuary, or rent equipment for parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing. For families, there's an aqua park with inflatable water obstacles. Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean has invested in a private patch of a peninsula on the northern coast of Cuba's neighbour, Haiti. Set against plunging coastal cliffs, a choice of beaches ranges from the peaceful Columbus Cove to the livelier Adrenaline Beach. For thrill-seekers, there's a chance to jump on a roller coaster or try the world's longest overwater zip line. Unlike many private locations, interactions with local communities are possible at an artisan market and a cultural programme highlighting Haitian history and traditions is in the works. Despite its popularity, the edgy destination is marred by unrest. Recently, stops were temporarily suspended due to 'an abundance of caution' although it's hoped they will resume in the future. Castaway Cay, The Bahamas Around 30 miles north of NCL's private paradise is Disney's answer to a magical far-flung tropical kingdom. Although there are currently no Pirates of the Caribbean in this Atlantic cay, secluded coves were once used by the likes of Blackbeard in the 18th century. During the US Prohibition, the island served as a smuggling base and in the 1970s its airstrips were used by drug runners. A £18.5million investment transformed it in the mid-1990s, including a channel allowing ships to dock. Expect themed environments and areas dedicated to different age groups, including the adults-only Serenity Bay. Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Carnival Corporation invested £63million to develop this site near Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. Princess Cruises and Holland America guests can visit, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus who landed here in 1492. Extending from a hillside, zip lines traverse the port complex and there's a 25,000 square-foot pool area with a swim-up bar, water slides, and private cabanas. The island is part of the mainland, but the private area has a big advantage over island escapes when it comes to exploring and interacting with communities.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- IOL News
Queen Anne, an old mailship and the breakwater
The magnificent Queen Anne on her maiden call in Cape Town. She arrived on Thursday morning and departed for Walvis Bay on Friday evening. Photo with the courtesy of the FPT Image: Photo with the courtesy of the FPT Attracting attention on the newswires is the welcome appointment of Mcebisi Jonas to smooth the waters between the US and South Africa. Unlike so many in political leadership, this gent has enormous credibility and should be the clear front-runner for the presidency when that time comes. He is eminently suited to this tough task that will give him wide exposure to the niceties of international relations. Attracting enormous attention in Dockland during her two-day stay last week was Cunard's magnificent Queen Anne, the latest of the Cunard cruise ship quartet. Although Cunard forms part of the Carnival Group, the Queens seem to engender special interest, despite similarities between the three smaller Queens and some other ships within the group. Passengers in these magnificent vessels will be conscious of the legendary status of Cunard on the North Atlantic passenger shuttle that began in July 1840 and developed into the line that operated the original Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Mauretania. Seasoned Docklanders will recall the lime-coloured cruise ship Caronia that called here during several world cruises from 1950 until her withdrawal from service in 1967. Her last voyage - fittingly – was from New York to Southampton, a route on which Cunard had operated regularly until 1967. Two years later, Queen Elizabeth 2 undertook her maiden voyage to begin a cruising career of nearly 40 years that made her the most famous ship of all time. As Queen Anne passed the breakwater and headed for Walvis Bay on Friday evening, fog blanketed part of Table Bay, and she probably encountered fog during her passage along the west coast. Captain Copp, master of the Union-Castle mailship Mexican could not have dreamt of the extremely sophisticated navigation equipment aboard Queen Anne when his coal-fired steamer – a third of the length of the cruise ship – passed the breakwater 125 years ago. When his ship entered a fog bank to the north of Cape Town, he was called to the bridge. Having seen the riding lights of another vessel during short periods of clearer visibility and having heard her foghorn, he feared a collision and altered course. Similar sporadic sightings of Mexican were made from the other vessel, the British transport Winkfield carrying military stores and the Northumberland Yeomanry, destined to augment British forces in the Anglo-Boer war. The 1883-vintage Union Liner Mexican that, with the amalgamation of Union Line and Castle Line in 1900, became part of the Union-Castle Line fleet. In April 1900, she was the first Union-Castle vessel to be lost after that amalgamation when she collided with the transport vessel Winkfield near Dassen Island. Brian Ingpen-George Young Collection Image: Brian Ingpen-George Young Collection Early on April 5, Winkfield struck Mexican that immediately took water. All 102 passengers, some crewmembers and the important mailbags were taken aboard the damaged but still buoyant Winkfield. For more than 12 hours, Captain Copp and his officers tried to save their ship and to make a towing line fast for Winkfield to tow her to Cape Town. The chief engineer reported that the pumps could not reduce water levels in the engine room, and that the bulkhead between the engine room and the hold was showing signs of imminent collapse. As it was clear that Mexican would sink, Captain Copp and his officers abandoned their ship and transferred to Winkfield. At the subsequent inquiry, both shipmasters were exonerated from blame for the collision and, with their officers and ratings, were commended for their efforts to save their own ships and to ameliorate the plight of Mexican's passengers. The soldiers also received commendation for their conduct in assisting Mexican's passengers. The original breakwater – passed by umpteen ships after its initial completion in 1891 – has been extended each time a major harbour development occurred. In all weathers, ships passed its light, those in wartime heading from the safety of the harbour into real danger as harrowing weeks lay ahead for their crews. At any minute, a torpedo could blast through the hull plating of their ship; a raider could strike, or the ship might hit a mine, all with devastating consequences for the ship and those aboard. Inward from wartime voyages, crews could relax a bit as the ship – with the pilot aboard - passed into the shelter of the breakwater, but all on board knew that within days – even hours – once bunkering had been completed, they would pass that breakwater light again, and into the dreadful unknown. From the breakwater, folks once marvelled at the beauty of the mountain and watched ships pass; others hoped to catch fish for their supper – for some, no fish would mean no supper; tourists at the Waterfront hotels used the breakwater for a pre-dinner walk or an early morning jog. A gate and fence now deny locals and tourists access to a real leisure area. 'It's security,' responded an official to my inquiry. 'People can get washed off the breakwater,' suggested another, while yet another proclaimed that, as it is on the flightpath of helicopters operating from the helipad at East Pier, it should be closed to the public. My frequently-suggested straightforward plan for the public to return to the breakwater – a turnstile with a large disclaimer notice - always receives a negative response. If only officialdom could agree to it, everyone could enjoy a saunter along Cape Town's breakwater, soaking in a spectacular view of the mountain, and watch the ships pass. The 1925-built Breakwater Crane with the fully laden Southampton-bound mailship – possibly Balmoral Castle – having just rounded the Breakwater from her berth at East Pier circa 1928. Brian Ingpen-George Young Collection Image: Brian Ingpen-George Young Collection Cape Times
