Recently, I had the honor of sailing onboard Star Princess for her inaugural voyage to the Bahamas from November 7 to 10, 2025.
As part of this sailing, I also got to experience Princess Cays, Princess Cruises’ private destination in the Bahamas, first-hand.
After exploring the exclusive island paradise, here is everything you should know – and what I wish I knew – before your next visit.
In This Article:
Where is Princess Cays?
I’ve already mentioned that Princess Cays is located in the Bahamas, but where exactly is the exclusive resort?
Princess Cays is located on the south end of the Island of Eleuthera.
For context, Eleuthera is part of the Great Bahama Bank, approximately 70 miles east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas archipelago.
Eleuthera itself is approximately 200 square miles, and the southeastern tip is also home to Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
How big is Princess Cays?
Princess Cays covers approximately 40 acres and has over a half-mile of stunning shoreline and private beaches.
The resort itself is not overly large, and my mom and I were able to walk to the furthest end and back to the pier for the tenders in under 20 minutes.
For context, we are not exactly the fastest duo, as I am recovering from my second ankle surgery.
That said, there is a complimentary tram service to help guests, such as those with mobility issues, make their way around the property.
How to Access the Private Resort
First, guests have to book a sailing with a cruise line that is actually permitted to call to Princess Cays. The destination is meant for the exclusive use of Princess Cruises, as the name suggests.
That said, Carnival Cruise Line ships are also allowed to stop at the beachfront resort, as Carnival Corporation is the parent company for both brands and is the actual owner of the island destination.
It’s also important to note that Princess Cays is a tender port, which is something even I didn’t initially realize as a cruise aficionado. This means that guests are ferried between the ship and the shore.
But while I often associate tender ports with stress and long lines, the crew members onboard Star Princess had the process down to a science.
At least during my sailing, guests retrieved a boarding group number when they were ready to go ashore.
When their boarding group was called, they could then proceed to the tenders to be ferried over to the island.
At least in my experience, the wait from picking up a number and being summoned to the tenders was essentially non-existent.
But when returning from the shore to the ship, I recommend arriving early to avoid longer lines that form closer to the all aboard time at the end of the day.
The tender ride itself is only around five minutes long. I waited longer for the crew members to fully load the tender than the ride itself actually took.
Relaxing on the Island
After visiting several private islands belonging to different cruise lines, Princess Cays felt especially relaxed (in a good way!) to me.
There were plenty of lounge chairs available – even when I arrived on the island in the middle of the day – and the water was smooth and warm.
I was personally fond of a section of beach near the famous stingray statue and a sign that reads “Little Bay Beach” that stays shallow and is perfect for wading and enjoying the views of the ocean and the cruise ship.
There was live music being played by Bahamian musicians, but the volume never got too loud or obnoxious.
Upgrading the Relaxation
If I ever become rich, I am also definitely taking advantage of the bungalows available for rent.
The brightly colored bungalows are at the far end of the resort and are equipped with beach chairs and extra shade, which is perfect for families or guests looking for some extra comfort.
The adorable little houses are also equipped with amenities like air conditioning and a ceiling fan, which is great for escaping the intense Bahamian heat.
The bungalows currently start at $254.95 for four people, and a couple of additional guests can be added for an extra fee. However, this price is subject to change at any time.
Entertainment at Princess Cays
But while my favorite part of Princess Cays was the relaxation, there is still plenty to do at the island paradise for families and more active cruisers.
Princess Cruises offers over 25 different shore excursions and rental options to make the most of their private destination.
These excursions can be booked in advance on the Princess Cruises App or in your online account, or with the Shore Excursions desk during your sailing.
Some rentals may still be offered at designated rental huts found along the walking path on the island, but this is subject to availability.
For example, guests can rent snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle wheelers. There is a pretty lagoon where kayak tours are offered.
Snorkel equipment and kayaks can be rented for as low as $19.95 per person, while Aqua Bikes, Paddle Wheelers, and Stand-Up Paddle Boards range from the mid $20 range to the mid $30 range to rent.
Alternatively, visitors can take part in Coastal and Wildlife tours, such as the popular Dune Buggy Heritage Adventure or a boat tour.
There are also banana boat rides for guests looking for water-filled thrills starting at $19.95 per person. I always loved those as a kid – especially when I got thrown off and splashed into the ocean!
Animal lovers may also enjoy the Stingray Beach encounter, which allows guests to interact with the fascinating sea creatures.
Fun Specifically for Families
There are some special amenities that are specifically designed to keep little ones entertained.
In addition to being able to take part in beachside fun, snorkeling, and at least some of the water sports, I also spotted a pool just for families with kids under the age of 12.
This pool is located across from the main beach area, about halfway down the island’s main walkway.
This gives families with younger kids who may not be as strong swimmers a safe and controlled environment to enjoy the water, with a lifeguard on duty.
The resort is also home to a sandy play area for kid,s where I spotted a sandy playground with things to climb on, giant games, and youth staff ready to play.
Dining at Princess Cays
Future guests will be glad to know that a BBQ lunch buffet is provided for free on the island.
There are two massive buffet areas, but as a word to the wise, they can get quite crowded during peak lunching hours so eat early if you can.
The menu features typical (but tasty) BBQ fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads, and desserts, so even picky eaters should still be satisfied.
Standard drinks like water, ice tea, and lemonade are also complimentary, but additional beverages or alcohol would need to be purchased at one of the four bars on the island.
Princess’s special Premier and Plus packages do carry over to cover drinks on the island, but Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! Drink package does not.
Shopping at Princess Cays
If you are looking for souvenirs, there is no shortage of merchandise to tantalize shopaholics like me.
There is a large Princess Cays Resort Store that has a variety of souvenirs and cruise line-branded merchandise.
There are also approved Bahamian vendors throughout the resort and a craft market with more Bahamian vendors just outside of the secure resort area.
They offer lots of handcrafted goods, artwork, and services like hair braiding.
Read Also: What Can You Bring Back on a Cruise Ship?
The entrance to the craft market is somewhat hidden. It is behind a pink building near where you exit the ferries, and security has to let you out into the market.
The vendors within the resort are more easily accessible and can be found along the main walking path.
Forms of Payment
That said, keep in mind that many of the local vendors do not accept credit cards or charging to your Princess account, so you will need to bring some cash if you want to go on a shopping spree.
I did not know this, and had to leave what would have been my new favorite fedora behind in the Bahamas.
Conveniently, the official resort store does allow guests to charge to their onboard accounts using their Princess medallions.
What to Bring to the Island
If you’ll be visiting Princess Cays soon, make sure to bring plenty of sun protection, meaning sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, rash guards, and cover-ups.
I visited the island in November, and even then, the sun was very strong.
The temperature at Princess Cays tends to range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s (in terms of Fahrenheit), but the heat and humidity can feel more intense than that.
Relatedly, I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated in the heat. You can fill it onboard for free before coming ashore.
Protect Your Feet
While I was perfectly content in my favorite beach sandals, keep in mind that some excursions require water shoes.
Certain sections of the beach can also be rocky, so this is another instance where water shoes would come in handy.
At the bare minimum, sandals are a must because the sand and surfaces get very hot.
Capturing Memories & Protecting Your Devices
Next, I recommend investing in a waterproof phone case so that you can keep your devices safe and with you to capture all your memories.
I personally feel safer keeping my phone with me so I don’t risk it getting lost or stolen.
That said, photographers from the cruise ship do come ashore and are walking around to take photographs for you. They captured some of my favorite photos from the trip on the island!
And if you really want to go the extra mile, I also saw some people invested in waterproof cases for their Princess medallions.
A Note on Beach Towels
At least for our visit, beach towels were provided as we exited the cruise ship, but we did not find additional complimentary towels once on the island.
But if you forget, beach towels are available for purchase in the main resort store.
We were also required to bring our towels back to the cruise ship with us. There were no towel drops on the island.
And though this may sound like a lot of stuff to bring for a beach day, there are lockers available for just $10 a day to store your things.
Would I Visit Princess Cays Again?
After spending a day in Princess Cays, I would absolutely return to the island paradise again.
It wasn’t quite as thrilling or adrenaline-filled as other private islands, such as Carnival’s Celebration Key or Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day destinations, but it was certainly beautiful and a great opportunity to de-stress.
Ultimately, your beach day is what you make of it. Guests looking to appreciate some natural Bahamian beauty and to relax would absolutely enjoy Princess Cays.
