Cruise lines know their ships are crucial elements in attracting travelers to book, but they also understand that where they sail is extremely important too.

Thats why the latest push has been for companies to develop private islands and destinations that deliver the best shoreside experience on par with the shipboard one.

For decades, the Caribbean has been a mainstay of cruise port calls and excursions, but only the private concept ensures end-to-end quality control dictated by the cruise line.

While Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay, for instance, had been around for longer, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Cay was really the first to set the gold standard with its attached pier that did not require tendering ashore and its overall pristine attractions and facilities.

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Great Stirrup Cay is among the destinations receiving recent attention, taking cues from Norwegians other new Harvest Caye, which also has its own dock. Interestingly, several new destinations are beginning to eclipse Castaway Cay with more elaborate features like zip-linesalready at Harvestand on their way for Great Stirrup.

The question is whether Disney will try and catch up or stick to its tried-and-true formula.

There wastalkof the line working to develop another island destination, but that project has apparently been abandoned for now.

READ MORE:Carnival to Build Largest Cruise Port in the Bahamas

In the meantime, the race continues with other lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises most prevalently. Holland America Line has already updated its Half Moon Cay some, but bigger attractions are expected from the other three companies.

The idea seems to be to offer as many experiences to guests on shore that the ships can't provide onboard, as well asfacilitating more of the ship opportunities for longer on land.

MSC Cruises first private island of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is set to open in October 2018, with not only a pier but the unique chance to stay off the ship into the evening. Since the cruise line owns the island, it will not be restricted to keeping the ships casino closed either. Also ashore will be extensions of the MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship complex and privileges as well as attractions such as zip-lines.

Now that its Labadee destination in Haiti is well established, Royal Caribbean International is focusing on enhancing its other CocoCay with an attached dock, ziplinesand a water park, according toSeatrade Cruise News. Other excursions and sports will also be on the docket.

The project is likely to put both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian neck and neck for the best pair of private cruise destinations.

READ MORE:Enhanced Great Stirrup Cay Impresses

Carnival Cruise Line could be another to soon tout two destinations, with existing Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic being one, but its not entirely certain that its newly announced development on Grand Bahama Island will be a private destination per se.

For now, its said by the company to be the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever constructed in The Bahamas, according to a press release.

It will feature a one-mile-long beach; food, beverage and shopping options; water amenities and recreational facilitiesall of which are indeed likely to be exclusive with hybrid means to also access other areas and attractions on the island, not unlike Harvest Cayes relationship with greater Belize.

If it does turn out to be private, it will surely impress in scale as its also set to include a pier that can accommodate two of Carnivals biggest ships simultaneously. (Other private island docks can only tie off one ship at a time.)

In either case, the race is surely on, and it will be most interesting to follow other destinations like Castaway Cay and even the likes of Princess Cruises Princess Cays to see if they plan improvements as well. One thing that is for certain: those without attached piers and elaborate parks will soon be in the minority.

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The Great Caribbean Private Destination Race - TravelPulse