The story of Cruise Lines Private Islands and Ports

The story of Cruise Lines Private Islands and Ports

 

In the 1960’s-70’s a young Abaco man saw the coming boom of the Cruise Line industry. He started purchasing Beach Front property and opening it up for Cruise Lines to bring their guests. Many of these became private ports of call for various Cruise Lines such as Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Disney and others. Some spots became hotels and other tourist venues.

 

He purchased Gordo Cay, a little approximately 1,000-acre island, and opened it up to the island for local Abaco people to grow crops and raise animals. Gordo Cay means Fat Island. It was called Fat Island for its fat little shape. He built a small airstrip on the island so he could fly his family to the island for visits and keep track of what was going on there. Often, they would have a picnic or camp out there on the island with his family. One day in the 1980’s he was flying his family to the island for a day of fun. When landing he saw men on his runway with AK47’s! He did not land and decided right then to sell the island right away!! He sold the island to a company he had not heard of. He just wanted rid of this island and the Drug Runners that had taken control of it. Let the Cruise Line deal with the problem! The fledgling Cruise Line was Magical Cruises, now known as Disney Cruise Line. He let Disney and US Drug Enforcement deal with the Drug Runners.

 

Disney is using approximately 175-200-acres of the island for recreational and infrastructure. The majority of the island is being kept as a natural wild habitat. In fact, Disney is working to rebuild the natural coral reef in the lagoon. There have sunk some things there to make it inviting to the aquatic life that supports and is supported by a living coral reef. Sunk in the lagoon you will see Submarines from old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride, ships with Mickey and Minnie mast heads and other items that look like they fell off a Pirate Ship that was hiding in the Lagoon. These items not only are fun for the guests to go looking for they give hiding places for aquatic life, encouraging them to stay.

 

On the island guests find lots of activities. Port adventures range from Bike, Snorkel Gear, and Floats to Paddle Boats, Jet Skis, Parasailing and even Fishing! There are several places to grab a bite to eat and even some places to get adult drinks. Fook is free but alcoholic drinks and other specialty drinks cost, as they do on the ship. Like the ship most thins are included in your cruise fare.

 

The island is broken up into areas for kids, families, teens/twines and adult only. You can take your pick where to spend your time. Just like the ship there is a kids clubs activities so adults can head to Serenity Bay for a quiet bite to eat, a drink and some time to relax on the shore.