When cruise lines are cleared to sail from the U.S. again, most of the cruises at first may be not to the usual destinations but to the companies' private islands, avoiding issues of permissions from countries nervous about welcoming back hordes of vacationers.
The private islands, most in the Caribbean but a growing trend in the Pacific, have been an increasingly important feature of many cruises, featuring a day off the ship with beaches, entertainment and features such as waterparks and more. They have been popular with passengers, who may now be asked to forego city stops for more time there.
For the companies, it's a chance to sell cruises sooner than might otherwise be possible. Unlike port cities, the cruise lines can make space for social distancing and other new policies. It's also a moneymaking opportunity, since many shore activities such as cabana or clamshell rental, excursions and more generate revenue that needn't be shared with shore-based operators.
But while many cruisers surveyed by CruiseCritic sounded positive about all-private-island cruises, industry leaders think that as time passes, there will be more demand for traditional destinations as well as the islands.
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