Cruises to Princess Cays
Princess Cays - a private beach resort operated by Princess Cruises on the southern tip of the Bahamas. This is not a city or a traditional seaport, but an entirely different philosophy of cruise leisure: 40 acres (0.16 km²) of powder-white sand, turquoise Atlantic water, and a complete absence of everything associated with an ordinary port of call — no train stations, no city traffic, no crowds of local passers-by. The islet sits on the southern tip of Eleuthera, one of the Bahamian islands, 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Nassau, and is owned by the parent company Carnival Corporation & plc, which operates it as an exclusive stop for Princess Cruises ships and, on select days, Carnival Cruise Line.
For a cruise traveller, Princess Cays is first and foremost a day of “island-dream” escape in the middle of a Caribbean cruise: no official town nearby, no transfer required at all — the ship anchors a few hundred metres offshore, and tender boats carry passengers straight to the private beach. In 2024–2025, the island hosted roughly 130–140 ship calls a year — making it one of the few private Caribbean resorts visited by only a single ship at a time, which keeps beach crowds noticeably lower than at the popular private islands of other cruise companies nearby. 🏝️
📋 Before you set out on a cruise to Princess Cays or step ashore for a few hours in port, here is what matters most:
🇧🇸 Country: The Bahamas (Commonwealth of The Bahamas)
📍 Region: Eleuthera Island, South Eleuthera district, near the settlement of Bannerman Town
👥 Population: no permanent residents — Princess Cays is private property of Carnival Corporation & plc; resort staff commute daily from nearby Eleuthera settlements (Bannerman Town, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay)
📐 Area: about 40 acres (0.16 km²), over 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of white-sand shoreline
🗣️ Languages: English (the official language of The Bahamas); resort staff communicate fluently in English
💶 Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar (USD); USD is accepted everywhere on the island
🕐 Time zone: EST (UTC-5), EDT (UTC-4) in summer
☀️ Climate: tropical, with mild winters (72–77°F / +22…+25 °C) and hot summers (84–88°F / +29…+31 °C)
✈️ Nearest airport: Rock Sound International Airport (RSD) in southern Eleuthera — however, Princess Cays cannot be reached independently: the island has no civilian transport link and welcomes guests exclusively from cruise ships
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Princess Cays
🗺️ Port area: the entire resort is the “port” — there is no separate industrial or cargo harbour here, only the beach area and the tender dock
🏛️ History of Eleuthera and Princess Cays — from an island of freedom to a private resort
⏳ An island born for freedom
Long before the cruise industry arrived, Eleuthera was home to the Taíno people, nearly wiped out by Spanish colonisation in the 16th century. In 1648, a group of English Puritans — the “Eleutheran Adventurers” — landed on the island the Taíno called Cigatoo, led by Captain William Sayle. They had fled Bermuda after refusing to swear allegiance to the Crown, in search of religious freedom. Their ship wrecked on the reef since known as the Devil's Backbone, and the surviving settlers sheltered for months in Preacher's Cave while Captain Sayle sailed to Virginia for supplies. It was this journey that gave the island its name — Eleuthera, from the Greek word “eleutheria”, meaning “freedom”. Some historians consider this community one of the earliest experiments in democratic self-government in the New World.
⚓ The birth of a private cruise island
The modern history of Princess Cays began only in 1992, when Princess Cruises opened its first private beach resort here for Caribbean cruise passengers — one of the earliest projects of its kind in the region, alongside Half Moon Cay of Holland America Line, which belongs to the same parent group. In February 2018, the resort underwent a major renovation: the marina channel and turning basin were widened for larger tender boats, new bungalows were built in tropical pastel colours, new excursions were introduced (glass-bottom lagoon kayaking, island bike tours, stingray encounters), and free MedallionNet Wi-Fi was installed — making Princess Cays the first private cruise island in the world with such coverage. 📶 On 28 January 2019, a generator malfunction sparked a fire that damaged part of the infrastructure; the affected facilities were restored the same year.
⚓ The port of Princess Cays — a private harbour among the Bahamian islands
📊 Scale and layout of the resort
Princess Cays is a compact, carefully planned beach complex divided into two protected swimming areas: North Beach and South Beach, with a total shoreline of more than 1.5 miles (2.4 km). At the centre of the island stands the three-storey Crow's Nest lookout tower, the Tropical Treasures marketplace with Bahamian souvenirs and pearl jewellery, the Pelican's Perch kids' area, two barbecue pavilions, and four beach bars (Bahia, Coconut, Banana Beach, Reef Runner). Guests can rent private bungalows and shaded clamshell-style cabanas right on the beach, while the Davy Jones water-sports kiosk offers snorkelling gear, kayaks, aqua bikes, and glass-bottom canoes. There is no large swimming pool on the island — only a small children's wading pool, since the emphasis is placed firmly on the natural, protected lagoons.
🚢 How many ships the port receives
Unlike large ports of call, Princess Cays receives only one cruise ship at a time — a defining feature of the island that keeps beach crowds under control. The ship anchors a few hundred metres offshore and tenders passengers ashore to a purpose-built marina. A typical call lasts 7 to 8 hours, with arrival around 8:00–9:00 a.m. and departure around 4:00 p.m. Overall, the island hosts about 10–12 ship calls a month, or roughly two to three ships a week; in adverse weather conditions (strong wind or rough seas that make safe tendering impossible), a call at Princess Cays may be cancelled and the ship's itinerary switched to a backup port.
🏢 Which cruise lines call at Princess Cays
Princess Cays is exclusively private property of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, so the island is closed to ships of other cruise operators. Its principal owner-brand is Princess Cruises, whose ships (including Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess) regularly call here as part of Caribbean itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale and other Florida ports. Several times a month, the island also welcomes ships of Carnival Cruise Line — another brand of the same parent group (for example, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Sunrise). This makes Princess Cays something of a “family” resort shared by two brands, rather than a universal port of call for the entire cruise industry. 🌊
💡 Interesting facts about Princess Cays
A few lesser-known details worth knowing before your visit:
🏖️ Princess Cays is one of the earliest private cruise islands in the Caribbean: it opened in 1992, long before such resorts became an industry standard.
📶 In 2018, the island became the first private cruise beach in the world to offer free MedallionNet Wi-Fi across its entire grounds.
👥 The island has no permanent residents at all — only staff who commute daily from nearby settlements in southern Eleuthera.
🚢 It is one of the few private resorts visited by only one ship at a time, unlike competitors capable of hosting several liners simultaneously.
🍹 The minimum drinking age on the island is 21, even though the legal age in the Bahamas is 18; the rule is set by the cruise line, not by national law.
🏝️ Sister island: the same parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, also operates the neighbouring private island Half Moon Cay (a Holland America Line brand) on Little San Salvador, a few hours' sail from Eleuthera.
🕊️ The name Eleuthera itself comes from the Greek word for “freedom” — honouring the Puritan settlers who founded one of the first English colonies in the New World here back in 1648, more than three centuries before the cruise resort was built.
🦐 The island's coastal waters are known for their clarity and rich marine life — snorkelling here is considered among the best of any private cruise resort in the Caribbean.
📍 Top highlights of Princess Cays — must-see for cruise travellers
A ship's call at Princess Cays typically lasts 7–8 hours, and guests spend that entire time on the resort grounds itself — a fundamentally different kind of day than a city excursion. A detailed guide with addresses and practical information can be found in the “Landmarks and Places of Interest” section; below is a short overview of the highlights.
🏖️ North and South Beaches — two protected lagoons with soft white sand and calm turquoise water, ideal for swimming and lounging.
🗼 Crow's Nest lookout tower — a three-storey wooden tower with a panoramic view of the island and ocean, one of the most photographed spots on Princess Cays.
🐠 Reef snorkelling area — clear water and a variety of tropical fish right off the shore, with no need to venture far out to sea.
🛍️ Tropical Treasures marketplace — shops selling Bahamian souvenirs, pearl jewellery, and local craftwork.
🧒 Pelican's Perch kids' area — a play area and shallow wading pool for families with young children.
🏝️ Excursions further into Eleuthera — for guests who want to see the island beyond the resort, dune-buggy tours, fishing trips, and visits to the nearest settlements of southern Eleuthera are available.
✨ Why include Princess Cays in your cruise itinerary
Princess Cays — the ideal choice for travellers seeking, above all, a peaceful beach getaway without the bustle of a city.
First, it offers guaranteed privacy: the island receives only one ship at a time, so its beaches are never as crowded as those at popular ports of call. 🏖️
Second, it's thoughtfully designed for families: a kids' area, shallow swimming lagoons, and a wide choice of active pursuits — from snorkelling to kayaking — will delight adults and children alike. 🚣
Third, it delivers genuine Caribbean nature just steps from the gangway: no transfers, no traffic — the tender boat drops you right onto the sand within minutes. 🌊
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group can help you choose the best Caribbean itinerary that calls at Princess Cays, tell you which ships visit the island on your preferred dates, and offer favourable rates from Princess Cruises and other leading brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
How to Get to Princess Cays
Princess Cays is not an ordinary cruise terminal in a city, but a private island resort owned by Princess Cruises on the southern tip of Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas. That is exactly why the logistics here differ completely from ports such as Barcelona or Rotterdam: no airport, railway station or highway leads straight into a “port” — the only way to reach Princess Cays is to arrive on board a cruise ship that calls there. Below is an honest, verified guide to how the tender landing actually works, how long it takes and what to keep in mind, prepared by the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where exactly Princess Cays is located
Princess Cays sits at the very southern tip of Eleuthera Island, next to the small settlement of Bannerman Town, roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Nassau — the capital of The Bahamas. The resort's coordinates are approximately 24°38′N, 76°10′W.
The resort itself covers about 40 acres (16 ha, or 0.16 km²) of white-sand beach stretching more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in total, split into several themed zones. It is not a separate island in the classic sense but a private stretch of land on the southern “tail” of Eleuthera — a long, narrow island that runs for nearly 180 kilometers (112 miles) but is, in places, barely a kilometer (about 0.6 miles) wide.
❗ Good to know: Princess Cays is not a standalone address with a postal code, nor a public pier. The resort is built and operated on land leased by Princess Cruises from the Government of The Bahamas, and it exists solely to serve cruise passengers.
⛴️ How passengers reach the island: the tender operation
Princess Cays is a tender port: there is no pier capable of berthing a large cruise ship, so the vessel anchors a distance offshore while smaller tender boats ferry passengers to and from the beach. This is standard practice for private island destinations run by cruise lines throughout the Caribbean.
How it works in practice:
• Tender service usually begins about an hour after the ship drops anchor and continues without interruption for the entire day in port
• A single tender ride takes about 10–15 minutes on average, depending on how far offshore that particular ship had to anchor
• Guests who booked shore excursions, along with travelers holding higher loyalty-program tiers, are typically invited onto the first tenders
• Ashore, tenders dock at a covered marina equipped with an information desk, a first-aid station, restrooms and a towel exchange
• On the way back, a security-clearance checkpoint at the marina verifies passengers against the ship's manifest before they board the tender
⚠️ Worth knowing: tender operations depend entirely on weather conditions. In strong wind or rough seas, the captain may limit or temporarily suspend tendering for safety reasons — a rare but real possibility that is always announced on board. Between November and April (the dry season) the risk of such delays is considerably lower than in summer, during tropical storm season.
🚫 Why you cannot reach Princess Cays independently
Unlike most ports in this guide, Princess Cays is a gated private destination open exclusively to passengers of Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line ships (both brands belong to parent company Carnival Corporation & plc and call at this resort on a set schedule) whose itinerary includes a scheduled stop here.
🔹 There is no public entrance, road or pier for outside visitors — the resort is fenced and monitored by security staff.
🔹 Even if you are on Eleuthera independently — say, before or after a cruise — there is no way to reach Princess Cays “by land”: it is not a hotel or a beach club with open public access.
🔹 The only way onto the island is to book a cruise whose itinerary includes a Princess Cays call and take the tender from your own ship on the day of the stop.
✈️ Eleuthera's airports — for context only (none lead directly to the resort)
If you are planning a trip to Eleuthera separately from your cruise — for instance, to see the island before or after your sailing — it helps to know that three regional airports serve the island:
• North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) — in the island's northern section, the busiest of the three, with regular flights from Nassau, Fort Lauderdale and Miami
• Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB) — in the central part of the island, also served by direct flights from mainland Florida and Nassau
• Rock Sound International Airport (RSD) — in the southern part of the island (the South Eleuthera district), geographically the closest of the three to Bannerman Town, though still several dozen kilometers (tens of miles) away by unpaved and paved road
All three airports sit a considerable distance from Bannerman Town at the island's southern tip, where Princess Cays is located. The key point: these airports serve Eleuthera as a whole, but none of them bring you any closer to the resort's private grounds — the only way in is as part of a cruise. Treat this information purely as general geographic background, not as transfer instructions.
🚗 By private car
Unlike most ports, this option simply does not apply here. Princess Cays has no public access road, parking lot or entry point for private or rental vehicles — the resort grounds are reachable only from the sea, via the tender marina. Renting a car on Eleuthera only makes sense for travelers exploring the island separately from their cruise, not for anyone hoping to reach Princess Cays this way.
🚶 Getting around the island
Princess Cays is compact and entirely flat, so reaching any point on the resort is easy:
• From the main tender marina to the primary beach areas is roughly a 5–15 minute walk along a level, mostly paved path
• A complimentary accessible tram circulates around the resort, helping guests reach more distant beach sections and family zones, or assisting anyone who finds long walks difficult
• Signage and resort staff are on hand at every turn to help you find your way — the island is small, and getting lost is practically impossible
♿ Accessibility for guests with limited mobility
Accessibility at Princess Cays is best considered in two separate stages — boarding the tender and moving around the island itself:
✅ The resort's main walkways are paved and level, and an accessible tram circulates the grounds
✅ Beach wheelchairs are available on request — check in at the information desk as soon as you land, since supply is limited
⚠️ Tender boarding takes place from an open deck or gangway and involves some movement from the swell — in difficult weather, the captain may temporarily restrict boarding for guests with significant mobility limitations
⚠️ Tender crews generally cannot lift wheelchairs weighing more than 22–23 kg (about 50 lbs) — guests who use a wheelchair are advised to travel with a companion able to provide physical assistance
⚠️ The separate Little Bay beach area is reached only by stairs and ends in soft sand with no hard surface — it is not wheelchair accessible
💡 Tip: if you or a travel companion have limited mobility, let your cruise line know in advance when booking — staff can arrange priority tender boarding and provide extra support ashore.
⏰ When to head back to the tender (the “all aboard” rule)
Princess Cays operates strictly as a port of call — there is no embarkation or disembarkation here at the start or end of a cruise, so the only thing you need to remember is when to be back on board.
🕐 The exact time of the last tender back to your ship is always printed in the day's cruise program (the Patter/Princess Patter), handed out the evening before or on the morning of the port day
🕐 Experts recommend joining the return tender line 60–90 minutes before the stated departure of the last tender — queues form at the marina during peak periods, and it pays to build in a buffer
❗ The “all aboard” deadline at Princess Cays effectively coincides with the last tender's departure time: the ship will not wait for passengers who miss it ashore — unlike ports with a fixed pier, there is no alternative way to reach the ship under your own power here. Missing the last tender means arranging your own (and costly) way to the next port of call.
🕐 Because Princess Cays is a small resort, plan your return to the marina with time to spare, especially if you spent the day on one of the more remote beach sections.
💡 Tips from the Four Gates Group experts
From years of arranging Caribbean cruises, our specialists have gathered a few practical tips specifically for Princess Cays:
👙 Put your swimsuit on before you leave the ship. Changing facilities on the island are limited, so it is easier to arrive beach-ready and keep your regular clothes in a waterproof bag.
💳 You will not need cash on the island. Princess Cays runs on a cashless system — every purchase (drinks, equipment rental, cabanas) is charged directly to your cruise account (Medallion or Sail & Sign), so all you need is your cabin card.
🕶️ Sun protection is essential. Natural shade is scarce on the island, so put on a hat, sunglasses and a high-SPF sunscreen before you even step off the tender.
📱 Internet access is limited. Princess Cruises guests can use the MedallionNet network on the island, though coverage can be spotty; Carnival Cruise Line guests should mostly plan on a screen-free day.
🌤️ Check the morning weather update. Since tender operations depend on sea conditions, the captain's morning announcements are the most reliable source of information about any changes to the day's plan.
🎒 Bring a light backpack, not a suitcase. Only carry what you actually need on the tender — a towel, sunscreen, water and something confirming you're a cruise passenger (your cabin card).
👨👩👧 Traveling with kids? Use the tram to reach the resort's children's areas without tiring little ones out in the heat.
📞 Contacts and emergency services
Princess Cays is a private destination with no public phone line or port office, so for any questions during your visit, speak to the resort staff ashore or your ship's reception desk.
Emergency services in The Bahamas: 911 or 919 (police, fire, ambulance)
The Bahamas country code: +1-242
Medical assistance: for anything serious, head to your ship's medical center — it is the nearest qualified medical facility available to cruise passengers
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients):+38 097 653 05 53
Getting to Princess Cays really is unlike any other port in this guide — there is no airport transfer, no choice between a taxi and the metro. Instead, there is a short, predictable tender ride straight from the ship to a white-sand beach. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group can help you choose an itinerary that includes a Princess Cays call, walk you through how to prepare for a day on a private island, and stay reachable for any questions that come up along the way. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
Princess Cays landmarks and highlights: a complete guide for cruise travelers
Princess Cays is not a city full of museums and cathedrals — it's a private island paradise covering 40 acres (about 16.2 hectares) on the southern tip of Eleuthera, where the cruise ship itself becomes the “landmark” on the horizon and the day's main attraction is white sand, turquoise water and genuine Bahamian hospitality. A call here usually lasts 7 to 9 hours, giving guests time both to soak up the beach and to peek into the nearby Bahamian settlements. Below is a verified guide to the resort's main zones and the most interesting spots on Eleuthera itself, with prices current as of 2026 and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
🏖️ 1. North Beach and Pelican's Perch kids' area
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
North Beach is the main and liveliest beach zone on Princess Cays, where the vast majority of guests land right after stepping off the tender boat. The main bar, the shops and the kids' play area are all clustered here.
🔹 Pelican's Perch is a wooden play structure set right in the sand, built as a replica pirate ship, with a small kiddie pool and slides. 🏴☠️
🔹 The beach is fitted with more than 3,000 loungers — spots aren't reserved in advance, and it's strictly first-come, first-served.
🔹 A lookout tower called Crow's Nest sits on a rise — it offers the best panoramic view of the whole island and the ship anchored offshore. 📸
🔹 The volleyball and basketball courts are free to use all day long.
📜 History:
The island opened as a private beach resort for Princess Cruises passengers in 1992 on a leased stretch of Eleuthera's southern coast; today the resort belongs to Princess Cruises' parent company, Carnival Corporation. On January 28, 2019, a fire that started in a generator destroyed several buildings on the property, including part of the retail and service area, but the resort was rebuilt quickly and was welcoming ships again within a few months. In 2018, Princess Cays became the first private cruise line island to bring Wi-Fi (Princess's own MedallionNet network) ashore for passengers.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• On foot: North Beach begins right behind the main information pavilion, a 2–3 minute walk (about 200 yards / 180 m) from the tender dock
• Signposts and uniformed staff help guests get their bearings right as they step off the boat
💶 Cost and hours:
• Beach access, loungers, kids' play area, volleyball and basketball: free (included in the cruise fare)
• Locker rental: about 20 USD for the day in port
• The beach and courts are open for the entire time the ship is in port, typically from around 8:00–9:00 a.m. to 4:00–5:00 p.m.
🌴 2. South Beach and The Sanctuary — the adults-only zone
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
South Beach is the quieter, less crowded side of the island, located at the end opposite the marina, with the longest unbroken stretch of sand on Princess Cays. This is where The Sanctuary is set up — a section reserved exclusively for guests 18 and older, with its own bungalows and a hushed atmosphere free of kids' noise.
🔹 The island's beaches run for more than 2.4 km (about 1.5 miles) of powder-white sand in total.
🔹 The Sanctuary area features its own upgraded bungalows — with dedicated service and premium snacks.
🔹 Nearby lies the quiet cove of Little Bay — a short walk from the marina, popular with guests seeking some solitude.
🔹 The legal drinking age in the Bahamas is 21, and the island strictly enforces this rule even though some cruise lines allow a lower age on board.
📜 History:
Splitting the island into a “family-friendly” north side and a “quiet” south side has been part of the resort's concept since it opened in 1992, when Princess Cruises designed Princess Cays to suit every type of traveler, from families with children to couples looking for peace and quiet. The Sanctuary, with its own adults-only bungalows, was added later as part of the resort's ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• On foot: a 10–15 minute walk along the shoreline from North Beach
• A golf cart runs around the island for guests with limited mobility — ask staff near the pier
💶 Cost and hours:
• South Beach access: free
• The Sanctuary bungalow (18+ only, up to 4 guests, air-conditioned): from 300–335 USD for the full day in port
• Standard family bungalow (up to 4 guests): from 230–255 USD
• Beach clamshell for 2: about 40 USD
⚠️ Note: cabanas and bungalows sell out during online pre-booking through the cruise line's website weeks before the call — very few, if any, remain available on the day itself.
🤿 3. The underwater world of Princess Cays — snorkeling and water sports
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
The waters off Princess Cays form a clear turquoise lagoon dotted with small coral formations and rocky stretches of shoreline, home to colorful reef fish, starfish and sponges. Snorkeling straight from the beach is free and doesn't require a boat.
🔹 A watersports rental center on the shore offers kayaks, SUP boards, windsurfers, pedal boats and 3-person Hobie Wave sailboats.
🔹 For anyone who'd rather keep their hair dry, there's a glass-bottom boat tour — the guide points out reefs, fish and coral without anyone getting wet.
🔹 A favorite activity is a banana boat ride along the island's coastline.
🔹 More adventurous guests can try surf fishing straight from the rocky shore with a local instructor.
📜 History:
The watersports kiosk and rental base have been part of the resort's infrastructure since it opened in 1992 and have been upgraded repeatedly since — the equipment lineup has grown, new coastal cruise routes have been added, and the rental fleet has gradually shifted to newer, safer models.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• On foot: the rental kiosk and gear pickup point sit on North Beach, 3–5 minutes from the pier
• Snorkeling zones are marked with buoys right off the shore
💶 Cost and hours:
• Mask, snorkel and fins (rental): about 15–20 USD for the full day
• Kayak, SUP board, pedal boat: from 25 USD per hour, or as a multi-hour package
• Glass-bottom boat tour (about 1 hour): from 35–40 USD per person
• Banana boat ride (about 15 minutes): from 20 USD per person
• Coastal speedboat cruise (about 1 hour): from 35 USD
⚠️ Equipment and boats can only be rented for the duration of the ship's call — booked time slots run within that window.
🐠 4. Stingray Beach Encounter
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
One of the island's most popular paid activities is meeting friendly southern stingrays in a specially fenced-off shallow section of the lagoon. The rays here are used to people and will happily glide right up close.
🔹 Guests can feed and gently pet the stingrays under the supervision of an experienced instructor, who explains their behavior and habitat.
🔹 The program combines the stingray encounter with snorkeling in the lagoon's clear water, where small reef fish also turn up.
🔹 The session runs about 1 hour, with small groups, which keeps the experience personal rather than feeling like an assembly line.
📜 History:
“Stingray encounter” programs became popular at private Caribbean islands in the late 2000s and 2010s, and Princess Cays added the activity to its lineup of official excursions as an alternative to traditional snorkeling — ideal for families with kids and anyone who wants guaranteed contact with marine life.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• On foot: the fenced-off Stingray Beach area sits in its own cove, a 5–7 minute walk from the main beach
• Sign-up happens in advance — either online when booking the cruise, or at the information kiosk right after stepping ashore
💶 Cost and hours:
• Adults and children 6 and up: about 45–50 USD per person
• The price includes snorkel gear and a locker for the duration of the program
• Sessions run several times throughout the day in port, in small groups
⚠️ Note: spots are limited, so it's worth booking ahead through the cruise line's app while still on board.
🏝️ 5. Bannerman Town and Lighthouse Beach — a dune buggy adventure
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
For anyone who wants to see the “real” Eleuthera beyond the resort, there's an off-road dune buggy tour to Bannerman Town — the island's southernmost and one of its quietest settlements — and on to the lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach.
🔹 The route runs along dirt roads past the ruins of an old mill from a former cotton plantation and small fishing homesteads.
🔹 The endpoint is the shoreline by the Bannerman Town Lighthouse, with views over the spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.
🔹 Guests can drive the buggy themselves (age 21+, with a valid driver's license); passengers must be at least 10.
📜 History:
The settlement is named after Alexander Bannerman, a Scottish governor of the Bahamas in the mid-19th century. At the time, it was the only settlement on Eleuthera with its own lighthouse, making it an important landmark for sailors. Bannerman Town remains small today and has changed little over the past few decades — and that authenticity is exactly what draws visitors. Worth knowing: since 2024, a new private island resort run by another cruise line (Disney Cruise Line's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point) has opened nearby, in the same Bannerman Town area — so it's worth confirming the current route and whether Lighthouse Beach is accessible with a cruise specialist or the shore excursions desk before booking.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• Group meeting point: at the information pavilion on North Beach, where the briefing and buggy hand-off take place
• Round-trip duration: roughly 1.5–2 hours including photo stops
💶 Cost and hours:
• Confirm the exact dune buggy price when booking the excursion on board or with a cruise specialist — it varies by season and the number of passengers per buggy
• The tour runs several times a day with limited spots — book ahead through the cruise line
⚠️ The road is dirt and dusty, so closed-toe shoes, dust goggles and clothes you don't mind getting dirty are recommended.
🚌 6. Rock Sound, Ocean Hole and Tarpum Bay — an excursion into Eleuthera
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
A comfortable, air-conditioned bus tour lets guests see everyday Bahamian life beyond the resort in just a few hours — colorful houses, small churches and friendly locals.
🔹 The main stop is Ocean Hole, right in the center of Rock Sound: a natural funnel-shaped body of water connected to the ocean by underground channels, where the salt water level rises and falls with the tide. Fish that live inside are traditionally hand-fed by visitors, often with bread.
🔹 Along the way, the guide typically runs a palm-frond weaving demonstration and talks about local medicinal plants.
🔹 The tour includes a Bahamian-style lunch on the beach and a performance by a Junkanoo folk troupe in colorful costumes with rhythmic music. 🥁
📜 History:
Rock Sound was founded in 1648 by the “Eleutheran Adventurers,” a group of British religious settlers led by William Sayle who had fled Bermuda in search of freedom of worship (which is also where the island's name comes from — Eleuthera, from the Greek word for “freedom”). The settlement was originally called Wreck Sound, after the many shipwrecks on the dangerous reefs nearby, and was later renamed Rock Sound to improve its reputation among traders. In the 19th century the town was known for growing pineapples, while neighboring Tarpum Bay remains a traditional fishing village with a long-standing community of artists and craftspeople.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• Organized coach: boarding happens at the information pavilion on North Beach, followed by about an hour's scenic drive across the island to Rock Sound
💶 Cost and hours:
• “Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Scenic Drive & Lunch” tour (about 4 hours): roughly 70–90 USD per adult
• The price usually includes transport, lunch and the folk performance
⚠️ Groups are small (about 25 people), so book ahead — it's one of the most popular tours and sells out quickly.
🛍️ 7. Tropical Treasures and the craft market
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
For guests who want to bring home a Bahamian souvenir, the island has a handful of shops tucked right among the palm trees.
🔹 Princess Tropical Treasures is the main gift shop, stocked with T-shirts, beach accessories, rum and local coconut-based cosmetics.
🔹 Right next to it sits a small craft and straw market, where local artisans sell handmade goods — straw hats, bags, and jewelry made from shells and wood.
🔹 Some stalls showcase traditional Bahamian palm-frond weaving — the same craft demonstrated on the Rock Sound excursion.
📜 History:
Craft trading on the island continues the long-standing Bahamian tradition of straw work, which has existed on Eleuthera and neighboring islands since at least the 18th–19th centuries and remains an important source of income for local families to this day.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• On foot: the shops sit just steps from the pier, in the central part of North Beach
💶 Cost and hours:
• Browsing the shops and market is free
• U.S. dollars and credit cards are both accepted
• The shops stay open for the entire time the ship is in port
🍹 8. Island flavors — barbecue pavilions and bars
💡 Fun facts and useful information:
Lunch on Princess Cays is a classic Caribbean beach barbecue buffet under the open sky, included in the cruise fare and available to every passenger at no extra charge.
🔹 Two pavilions — Grill Crazy BBQ on North Beach and Sea Breeze Grill on South Beach — serve grilled chicken, ribs, burgers, salads and tropical fruit.
🔹 Four bars operate along the beaches: Bahia Bar, Coconut Bar, Banana Beach Bar and Reef Runner Bar — pouring signature tropical cocktails, beer and soft drinks.
🔹 Water, lemonade and iced tea at the barbecue stations are free; alcoholic drinks are charged separately or covered by a drink package purchased on the ship.
📜 History:
The free beach barbecue has been offered since the resort opened in 1992 and remains one of the top reasons passengers love a call at Princess Cays — unlike many other ports, there's no need to hunt down a paid restaurant for a proper meal.
🚢 Getting there from the tender pier:
• Grill Crazy BBQ: a 3–5 minute walk from the pier, on North Beach
• Sea Breeze Grill: a 10–15 minute walk, on South Beach
💶 Cost and hours:
• Barbecue buffet: free, typically served from around 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Cocktail at a beach bar: from 8–12 USD
• The legal drinking age in the Bahamas is 21, and ID may be requested
🎨 9. Other spots worth knowing about
• 🗼 Crow's Nest — a lookout tower on North Beach with the best panoramic view of the island and the ship; free, a few minutes' walk from the pier.
• 🌊 Little Bay — a quiet cove near the marina, a good spot for calm swimming away from the crowds; free.
• 🚲 Island Bicycle Adventure — a bike ride along scenic roads in southern Eleuthera, roughly 30 USD, about 90 minutes.
• 🎣 Surf fishing — shore fishing with an instructor, roughly 30 USD, about 2.5 hours.
• 🌉 Glass Window Bridge and the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve — two of Eleuthera's best-known natural landmarks, located in the island's northern half, but more than 100 km (60+ miles) from Princess Cays — so they're not part of the standard shore-call program; check with a cruise specialist in advance if such a trip is genuinely feasible.
🗺️ Three ways to spend an 8-hour day at Princess Cays
A ship's call at Princess Cays usually lasts 7–9 hours. Unlike city ports, there's no need to rush anywhere here — the main decision is simply which kind of day you want. Below are three scenarios depending on budget and preferences.
🥉 Scenario #1. Budget — free + food and drinks
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 0–20 USD
🕘 9:00 a.m. — Step ashore at North Beach
Grab loungers and stash your belongings in a locker (about 20 USD).
🕘 9:15–11:00 a.m. — Beach time and free snorkeling
Swimming, snorkeling near shore with your own or a rented mask, volleyball or basketball.
🕚 11:00–11:30 a.m. — Walk over to Pelican's Perch and Crow's Nest
Photos from up top, a look at the kids' play area (handy for families).
🕦 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Free barbecue lunch
Grill Crazy BBQ or Sea Breeze Grill — chicken, ribs, salads, fruit — all included in the cruise fare.
🕐 1:00–3:30 p.m. — More beach time and shopping
Another swim, then a stroll to Tropical Treasures and the craft market for souvenirs.
🕞 3:30–4:30 p.m. — Head back to the ship
The last tender usually runs 60–90 minutes before departure.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Locker: 20 USD
• Cocktail at the bar: 10 USD
• Souvenir budget: 10–20 USD
💸 TOTAL: about 20–40 USD per person
🥈 Scenario #2. Balanced — 100–150 USD per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 110–150 USD
🕘 9:00 a.m. — Step ashore, check in for Stingray Beach Encounter
Pre-booked through the cruise line's app — about 50 USD.
🕘 9:30–10:30 a.m. — Stingray Beach Encounter
Meet and swim with the stingrays, snorkel in the lagoon.
🕥 10:30–11:00 a.m. — Rent a kayak or SUP board
About 25–30 USD for an hour along the coastline.
🕐 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Barbecue lunch and downtime in a bungalow
Renting a family bungalow on South Beach — about 240 USD (best split among a group of 4, so roughly 60 USD per person).
🕝 1:00–3:00 p.m. — Beach, cocktails at the bar, shopping
Swimming at The Sanctuary or Little Bay, a cocktail at Coconut Bar (about 10 USD).
🕞 3:00–4:30 p.m. — Head back to the ship
💰 Cost breakdown (per person, bungalow split among the group):
• Stingray Beach Encounter: 50 USD
• Kayak/SUP rental: 25–30 USD
• Share of bungalow cost: about 60 USD
• Cocktails: 10–15 USD
💸 TOTAL: about 145–155 USD per person
💡 Skip the bungalow for regular free loungers and save about 60 USD.
🥇 Scenario #3. Premium — an active day with an excursion, from 200 USD per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 200–280 USD
🏆 What's included:
• ✅ A Sanctuary bungalow (18+ only) for the first and last part of the day
• ✅ The “Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Scenic Drive & Lunch” bus tour with lunch and a Junkanoo show
• ✅ Premium snorkel gear rental
• ✅ Cocktails at the beach bars
You can book this kind of day through your cruise manager, or reach out to us any way that's convenient:
Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Email us
🕘 9:00 a.m. — Step ashore, check into the Sanctuary bungalow
🕘 9:15–9:45 a.m. — Light breakfast and coffee in the shade of the bungalow
🕙 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — The “Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Scenic Drive & Lunch” excursion
Ocean Hole, a palm-frond weaving demonstration, lunch on the beach, a Junkanoo troupe performance.
🕝 2:15–3:00 p.m. — Back to the Sanctuary bungalow to relax
Crowd-free swimming, a cocktail brought by a server right to the bungalow terrace.
🕞 3:00–4:00 p.m. — Snorkeling with premium gear and last-minute shopping
Tropical Treasures, the craft market.
🕟 4:00 p.m. — Head back to the ship
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Sanctuary bungalow: from 300–335 USD (for a group of up to 4)
• Rock Sound & Tarpum Bay excursion: 70–90 USD per person
• Premium snorkel gear: 25–30 USD
• Cocktails and souvenirs: 20–30 USD
💸 TOTAL: roughly 200–280 USD per person (depending on how many share the bungalow)
🤝 Four Gates Group helps our clients pre-book bungalows, excursions and stingray encounters at Princess Cays — spots on the island get snapped up weeks before departure. Reach out to your cruise specialist, and your day at Princess Cruises' private island will be planned to perfection. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Good to know before you head ashore
🕐 The “all aboard” rule: be back on the ship 60–90 minutes before departure — the last tender runs strictly on the schedule printed on your cruise card.
🪪 Documents: your Ship Card is all you need on the island — you can leave your passport in the cabin.
💵 Cash: bring 30–50 USD in small bills for incidentals and tips — the island accepts U.S. dollars, and cards work at most shops and bars too.
👙 What to wear: swimwear, light clothing, and comfortable shoes for walking on sand and dirt paths; closed-toe shoes are recommended for the dune buggy tour.
📶 Wi-Fi: MedallionNet Wi-Fi is available on the beach for Princess passengers (via a package purchased on board); guests sailing with other lines should check connectivity in advance.
☀️ Sun protection: the tropical sun is intense year-round (temperatures typically run 24–31 °C / 75–88 °F) — sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are a must, since shade on the beach is limited.
🐚 Environment: the coral reef and marine life around the island are fragile — don't touch the coral or feed the fish outside approved programs (such as Stingray Beach Encounter or Ocean Hole).
🍹 Drinking age: the legal age in the Bahamas is 21, and bars may ask for ID.
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the venues concerned.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals