Cruise Ships and Private Islands in the Caribbean

The cruise industry continues to grow rapidly in the Carribean region with projections that it will surpass land-based visitations in little more than a decade. Various conditions described in this paper resulted in the evolution of the concept of private islands used by some cruise lines as a form of destination. It is one means of differentiating the cruise product which provides both the provider and the consumer with a highly satisfying experience. Private islands, however, may result in negatively impacting the natural environment, the social-cultural fabric and economic situation of host nations. This paper is intended as a general overview of private islands and presents some of the present and potential problems associated with their development.