I've Been on 100+ Cruises—Here's the One Thing That Stood out about Carnival's New Private Island

It’s no secret that I love cruising. I used to work onboard cruise ships as a performer, and since I transitioned to journalism, I still go on cruises as my vacation of choice. From my days onboard as a crew member to my now leisure travel moments, a lot of the cruises that I’ve gone on have included visits to private islands. I’ve been to Disney’s Castaway Cay, Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay and Carnival’s Half Moon Cay too many times to count. While I definitely enjoy my visits at all three islands, sometimes it can feel a little redundant, and there have been times where I’ll choose to stay onboard the ship I’m traveling on instead.

This week, I got to be one of the first guests to visit Carnival’s revamp of Half Moon Cay, which is called RelaxAway. They’ve built a giant pier that can hold even its largest ships, have five distinct beach areas to explore, a horse ranch, multiple eateries and bars, and local Bahamian shops to buy souvenirs in. I was incredibly impressed with everything that the newly designed island had to offer–but there was one thing in particular that stuck with me.

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The Island Has An Elevated, Classy Vibe

We all know that Carnival has a reputation for being the “party” cruise line. There are tons of memes on the internet or video trends where people poke fun at the chaotic, lively energy that the Carnival clientele brings to the ships. Now, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing–but for me personally, I’m more of a laid back and relaxed kind of gal. The name RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is entirely appropriate to describe what to expect when visiting this island.

Overall, the design of everything is simple yet elevated. Even the bathrooms, for example, have large mirrors with a stylish shape to them, and they are open to the outside, so when washing your hands, you can see the ocean behind you.

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Each beach area has a different color theme for its umbrellas, and it immediately made me feel like it was in the French Riviera. They have thick stripes on them, with an adorable scalloped edge that gives them a more feminine vibe. The lounge chairs are a clean white color, adding to the classic look. The bars are also very tranquil and beautiful to look at, with elegant-style fonts, subdued colors and a mature feel. There isn’t party music blasting (at least at the beach section I chose to relax on) and the entire ambiance felt completely relaxed and enjoyable.

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When comparing RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay to the other private cruise line islands I’ve visited, I ultimately feel like this one stood out when it came to the design and vibe. Disney and Norwegian’s islands are both wonderful in their own right, but they feel a bit more casual and “outdoor barbeque-y” (which again, there’s nothing wrong with that). Overall, however, I really enjoyed getting to experience this elevated and chic island, and would love to visit again.

RelaxAway Fast Facts

What is Carnival’s new private island called?

Carnival Cruise Line’s newly transformed private destination on Half Moon Cay is officially named RelaxAway.

Where is RelaxAway located?

RelaxAway is located on Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, serving as an exclusive, elevated port for Carnival guests.

Does RelaxAway have a pier?

Yes. Unlike the original Half Moon Cay which required tendering, RelaxAway features a newly constructed, giant pier capable of docking Carnival’s largest ships directly.

What amenities are on RelaxAway?

The redesigned island features five distinct beach areas, a dedicated horse ranch, multiple upgraded eateries and bars, plus local Bahamian shopping markets.

How does RelaxAway differ from the old Half Moon Cay?

While maintaining its pristine natural beauty, the port has been completely reimagined with a sophisticated, upscale design—featuring French Riviera-style scalloped umbrellas, clean white lounge chairs and open-air luxury resort vibes.

Related: Carnival Completely Transforms One of Its Best Private Ports Into a Luxury Resort