What Are Cruise Ship Private Islands?
Major Cruise Lines like Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, like any other massive corporation, are primarily focused on profit. Whatever and however cruise ships can make the most money is the constant goal and question these massive companies ask themselves every year; oftentimes at the expense of passenger safety. Sometimes, the answer is to make ships obscenely huge. Royal Caribbean’s “Icon of the Seas” is a testament to this monetary pursuit, with a record breaking passenger capacity of 7,600 at a time. Another answer to this question of maximum profits which cruise lines have reached is the development of private islands, a sort of neocolonial approach to the cruise business.
Private islands owned by major cruise lines have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering passengers a chance to experience an exclusive tropical paradise while on their vacation. All the private islands listed below are located in the Caribbean and Central America.
CocoCay (Royal Caribbean)
Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line)
Harvest Caye (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Princess Cays (Princess Cruises)
Labadee (Royal Caribbean)
What Happens If I Am Injured On These Private Islands?
These islands are often marketed as a major selling point of the cruise line and are typically included as a port of call on their Caribbean itineraries. While passengers are often excited to visit these private islands, it’s important to understand the legal implications of visiting them.
When passengers step off the cruise ship and onto the private island, although they might technically be in a foreign port and different country, they would still abide by the regulations set forth by the cruise line. For example, if you slip on a pool deck in the Royal Caribbean private island of CocoCay, which is located in the Bahamas, you will file your claim in Federal Court in Miami, and not in the Bahamas. The Information on where your claim must be filed pertains specifically with the cruise ship, and is typically located on the passenger ticket contract. In short, Cruise lines have a responsibility to ensure that their private islands are safe for passengers, just as they do with their cruise ships.
Accidents, injuries, and death can happen anywhere. Injuries on these private islands are common, as they are foreign environments for many passengers who are not familiar with the layout and varying degrees of development which these islands possess. Injuries on these cruise ship private islands come in many forms:
- Auto Accidents while on an Excursion
- Slipping & Falling on Wet Surfaces
- Gangway injuries
- Zip-lining and Water Sports accidents
- Drowning
It’s important for passengers to be aware of these legal considerations when visiting a private island owned by a cruise line. If you plan on visiting one of these tropical resort destinations, make sure you follow safety guidelines, wear appropriate footwear, and maybe skip the ziplining.
In conclusion, private islands owned by major cruise lines can be a fun and exciting part of a Caribbean cruise vacation. If an injury does occur, passengers may be able to file a personal injury claim, but the legal process can be complex, so contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys today so we can begin the fight for you!
