The very first ownership of a private island took place in 1977 when the tiny island, today named Great Stirrup Cay, was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Lines. Situated some 120 miles off Fort Lauderdale, this island has an impressive history of visitors including pirates who used the island as a safe haven, and more gallantly, American troops who occupied the island during World War II to defend the eastern shores of the U.S. Today, Norwegian Cruise Lines has transformed the once somber island into one big beach party!

Accessed by tender, this island will offer everything you would expect; a total of 5, varied, white sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters full of tropical fish, but what sets this island away from all the others is that the guests really have come to party! Fun is the main agenda here, so if you fancy competing in "Olympic" games or Limbo this is the island for you. The island also boasts volleyball courts and ping-pong tables, and for explorers, snorkelling and paddle boats with viewing areas in the base. Whatever you choose to do here, it will be set to the sound of the live Calypso band which plays island favourites for listening or dancing to throughout the day.

Disney puts forward a strong competitor for top private island with Castaway Cay. The only company to own an island which doesn’t require a tender, here you can walk straight off the ship and into the fun! This combined with paved walkways and a tram service to different parts of the island also makes Castaway Cay the best choice for wheelchair users. The 1,000 acre island is located 225 miles from Disney's year-round home port of Port Canaveral. Parts of this island have been developed like no other island has, even featuring its very own post office! Yet Disney have appreciated the natural beauty of the land and has only developed 10% of the whole island.

Most cruise companies can offer a number of beaches on their island, but few can ensure one to really suit everyone’s requirements. Castaway Cay has Serenity Bay, a 1 mile stretch of secluded beach reserved for adults only, where guests can indulge in massages in private cabanas overlooking the sea, Teen Beach, the name says it all! Or guests can head down to Castaways Family Beach where everyone is welcome to play in the lagoon, paddle out to sea or partake in organised beach games. Disney can offer its guests so many options of how to spend their day on the island, including a 12 acre snorkelling site to explore, kayaking, paddle boats and parasailing. For the younger visitors there is a dig site for kids to find fossils and sharks teeth among other treasures, and also a water play area situated in the lagoon, just off the family beach.

Holland America is another cruise line in the running for best private island. They own award winning Half Moon Cay, situated less than 100 miles southeast of Nassau. Of the total 2,450 acres they own, 2,400 have been left untouched so guests can truly appreciate the beauty of the remote island. The island features a 9 mile long beach, a wild bird reserve, a beach front bar, air conditioned beachfront cabanas along with shaded hammocks. And whilst the adults are relaxing, the kids can make use of Half Moon Lagoon, an aqua park which also features the Stingray Adventure Program which involves swimming with stingrays. Beach sports, parasailing, nature trails and windsurfing are all other options to fill your day on the island.

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