Today is a first in the
cruise world. We are waiting on the final word but it seems a first of
partnerships between Royal Caribbean and Carnival will start on March 14, 2013.
The Carnival Fascination will
make at least 19 calls and the Carnival Ecstasy will also make 11 calls to the
island of Little Stirrup Cay or what is known to Royal Caribbean guest as Coco
Cay. This is a great choice for Carnival
since Carnival’s private island of Half Moon Cay it not available due to the
number of ships that is already scheduled to port at Half Moon Cay.
According to Carnival they examined
several options for Carnival Fascination's and Carnival Ecstasy's shorter sailings,
including Half Moon Cay. They decided to include Little Stirrup Cay because
given the short duration of the cruises and the other ports of call on these itineraries,
it would be difficult to reach Half Moon Cay and still maintain the ships'
published schedule.
What is interesting earlier
this month the U.S. Navy revoked the rights of all non federal vessels to dock
in Key West Harbor. Though cruise ships do not typically dock in Key West
Harbor, when multiple ships are calling on the port, at least one ship must
dock there. With that pier off limits, fewer ships can call on Key West.
I would have thought
Carnival would have the private island Princess Cay that is also owned by
Carnival Corp, but then I realized this island doesn’t have tenders on the islands
and ships must use their own tenders.
This is a great option for
Carnival in my opinion Coco Cay is a beautiful private island with amenities including
motorized and non motorized water sports, plenty of shopping, island-style seaside barbecue and much
more.
As soon as we
determine all sailings that will now be sailing to Coco Cay we’ll be contacting
our customers.
Happy Cruising
Danny FisherNationwide Cruises & Vacations
770-729-1881x13
danny@cruisenationwide.com
