Riding the waves in the Caribbean   Princess Cays is the only chance to set foot on land during a cruise

▲ Princess Cays, one of the islands belonging to the Bahamas, is an exclusive destination on Princess Cruises itineraries.

Text and photos by Kiya

The most fun part of cruising is that you can find surprises around every corner of the ship almost 24 hours a day, making the time at sea fulfilling—but you’ll inevitably miss life on solid ground. When I embarked on a three-night, four-day journey aboard the Royal Princess in early November, one of the days was spent landing on a small island in the sea, where we could enjoy the Caribbean waves to our heart’s content using a variety of watercraft.

“Princess Cays,” leased by Princess Cruises from the Bahamas, is an exclusive destination on the cruise line’s Caribbean routes. With pure white sands, turquoise waters, and towering coconut trees everywhere, it's the perfect stage for an “I’m the coolest kid here!” kind of scene.

▲%The crystal-clear sea stretches out as far as the eye can see, and everything feels like it’s straight out of a postcard.

The day before heading to Princess Cays, passengers receive a notice in advance. All you need to do is go to the designated meeting point at the specified time according to the color-coded group assigned to your cabin. In addition, the cruise provides a list of various water activity facilities on the island. Since spots for each activity are limited, reservations are required in advance. Except for meals, which are provided free of charge, all other activities come at an additional cost.

There is only one way to get to Princess Cays: by taking a shuttle boat from Deck 4. The one-way trip takes about 5 to 10 minutes. As the shuttle boat slowly pulls away, passengers can also capture the full view of the cruise ship anchored in the sea.

%The two main ways to reach the island are either by walking to the boarding point near the pool area or by going to the one closer to the theater.

%When the shuttle boat departs from the island and heads back to the cruise ship, the towering silhouette of the vessel creates a stunning reflection on the ocean surface.

Princess Cays offers a range of water activities, from banana boats and aqua bikes to glass-bottom sightseeing boats and snorkeling gear. Among them, the glass-bottom boat takes passengers on a one-hour tour around half of the island, allowing them to gaze directly at the marine life beneath the boat through the transparent floor. The sparkling sea surface is so close you could almost touch it. It’s also worth noting that the snorkeling activity is not guided, so it’s more suitable for those with prior solo snorkeling experience.

▲%The various water activities offered on the island allow travelers to fully enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean Sea.

If you prefer a quieter time on Princess Cays, besides the lounge chairs scattered across the beach, there are also clusters of brightly colored fairy-tale cottages located deeper in the island. You can lie indoors, enjoying the cool air and delicious meals while taking in the visual feast of the Caribbean’s azure waters.

▲%Whether you choose to relax on the beach chairs under the shade of palm trees or in the cozy cottages surrounded by greenery, you’re guaranteed a memorable and comfortable experience on the island.