Category Archives: Private Islands

ISLANDS FOR SALE IN

From Alaska to Florida, the United States is possibly the most geographically diverse country in the world. The majority of American private islands properties are located near the eastern seaboard, especially in Maine, New York and Florida. Islands for sale in the US range from tropical F... + Read Morelorida keys to rugged lodges in Alaska. Naturally, the weather varies as widely as the country's terrain. Florida's proximity to the Caribbean means hurricanes are a seasonal issue just as winters in Maine are never conducive to water sports.

Real estate is one of the most popular investments in the United States. America's laws and economic policy create an open and reliable atmosphere for real estate investors. Its economic and political stability make the United States a magnet for both foreign investors and the country's own citizens. It should also be noted that Americans, as a group, are the largest buyers of private islands worldwide.

Foreign ownership laws vary from state to state. Some states have strict guidelines on foreign ownership or don't allow it at all. In all cases, due diligence should be performed, especially concerning region specific construction and zoning laws. There are only a few restrictions to foreign ownership of property in the United States; but buyers should be aware that ownership laws vary from state to state and even within different counties within the same state. To make sure that the transaction moves ahead efficiently, retaining the services of a real estate lawyer and working with a knowledgeable agent or broker is highly advisable. - Read Less

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Islands for Sale in United States - Private Islands Online

Cave Cay is an exclusive 220 Acre Private Island positioned in the heart of the Exuma Cays immediately north of Musha Cay, Exuma. Cave Cay is unique because of its very own deep-water harbour (12 feet at low tide) and private marina with 35 dock slips and a 2,800 ft private landing strip.

Cave Cay is completely self-sufficient with all utilities underground, water, sewage and power supply. There are 5 diesel generators ranging in size ...

Cave Cay is an exclusive 220 Acre Private Island positioned in the heart of the Exuma Cays immediately north of Musha Cay, Exuma. Cave Cay is unique because of its very own deep-water harbour (12 feet at low tide) and private marina with 35 dock slips and a 2,800 ft private landing strip.

Cave Cay is completely self-sufficient with all utilities underground, water, sewage and power supply. There are 5 diesel generators ranging in size from 85 KW to 375 KW. The power supply is hybrid being solar supported by generator power. Power produced by generators is 3 phase 480 volts broken down at the point of consumption with transformers. Fresh water is stored in two tanks, 12,000 gallons and 14,000 gallons. Hot water is provided by solar panels. There is a fuel farm with a capacity to store 64,000 gallons of diesel and 13,000 gallons of gasoline. The water making facilities are capable of making 5,000 gallons per day being expanded to 20,000 gallons per day.

The island has a number of white beaches and caves that make this a special place to enjoy. The views are breathtaking from the 40 ft elevations where there are a number of structures for both living and recreational use. The main house sits on the top of this ridge where it boasts exceptional views of the Exuma Cays and Ocean.

There is a masterplan for the whole island which consists of 38 buildings, including a large restaurant & clubhouse, three guesthouses with a number of hotel suites and rooms which are under construction, bathrooms and shower facilities and a 3 story Houseboat with a marina shop designated for the first floor and a 2 story residence above.

Additionally there are also a number of maintenance buildings and housing for 6 full time staff.Cave Cay has approvals to operate as a full commercial operation with its Marina and can be used for commercial and hotel development or used as its own private enclave. The island has everything it needs including, tractor, graders, boats, golf carts, full & backup generators, solar panels, a few machine shops and tons of back up supplies and materials, all included.

In addition to that there is also a state-of-the-art barge for bringing supplies to and from the island.The present owner/developer has thought of everything and gone through the tedious 2 year process to get all of the government approval and several years to dredge the harbour and build the runway. This is an opportunity for a developer to step in and take this special island to next level.

Cave Cay is an exclusive 220 Acre Private Island positioned in the heart of the Exuma Cays immediately north of Musha Cay, Exuma. Cave Cay is unique because of its very own deep-water harbour (12 feet at low tide) and private marina with 35 dock slips and a 2,800 ft private landing strip.

Cave Cay is completely self-sufficient with all utilities underground, water, sewage and power supply. There are 5 diesel generators ranging in size from 85 KW to 375 KW. The power supply is hybrid being solar supported by generator power. Power produced by generators is 3 phase 480 volts broken down at the point of consumption with transformers. Fresh water is stored in two tanks, 12,000 gallons and 14,000 gallons. Hot water is provided by solar panels. There is a fuel farm with a capacity to store 64,000 gallons of diesel and 13,000 gallons of gasoline. The water making facilities are capable of making 5,000 gallons per day being expanded to 20,000 gallons per day.

The island has a number of white beaches and caves that make this a special place to enjoy. The views are breathtaking from the 40 ft elevations where there are a number of structures for both living and recreational use. The main house sits on the top of this ridge where it boasts exceptional views of the Exuma Cays and Ocean.

There is a masterplan for the whole island which consists of 38 buildings, including a large restaurant & clubhouse, three guesthouses with a number of hotel suites and rooms which are under construction, bathrooms and shower facilities and a 3 story Houseboat with a marina shop designated for the first floor and a 2 story residence above.

Additionally there are also a number of maintenance buildings and housing for 6 full time staff.Cave Cay has approvals to operate as a full commercial operation with its Marina and can be used for commercial and hotel development or used as its own private enclave. The island has everything it needs including, tractor, graders, boats, golf carts, full & backup generators, solar panels, a few machine shops and tons of back up supplies and materials, all included.

In addition to that there is also a state-of-the-art barge for bringing supplies to and from the island.The present owner/developer has thought of everything and gone through the tedious 2 year process to get all of the government approval and several years to dredge the harbour and build the runway. This is an opportunity for a developer to step in and take this special island to next level.

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Cave Cay - The Exumas, Bahamas , Caribbean - Private Islands

ISLANDS FOR SALE IN United States

Florida has long been America's retirement mecca with its warm climate and proximity to the rest of the United States. Hurricanes are obviously a concern in this region, as is assuring your island stays high and dry. While private island prices in Florida may seem high to Americans, for Eu... + Read Moreropeans and others, the real estate feels like a bargain, particularly when figured in euros or pounds. Surrounded by water on three sides, Florida's coasts include the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic and the warm Caribbean bathes the Florida Keys. With an average of 300 days of full sunshine a year, it's easy to understand why Florida has such an active private island market.

Foreign Ownership Info for all States in the USAAmericas real estate laws create an open and reliable atmosphere for foreign investors. All private islands on the market in the U.S. can be bought freehold; there are no special requirements for foreign ownership. - Read Less

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Islands for Sale in Florida, United States - Private Islands Online

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Sure, the $50 million island complexes look nice, but it might be nice to dream of something that's a little more within reach.

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A 7-acre fully furnished island retreat sounds pretty sweet. In Ontario, Canada this island holds a three-season cedar-sided cottage equipped with running hot water, a flat screen satellite TV and internet. Its available the nice price of $491,108.59 in U.S. dollars.

Ever wonder how a home gets priced? Check out these 14 things to know about pricing a house.

Photo: Via Private Islands Online

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This island is in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the thought of a close getaway sounds pretty nice. ODowd Island is about 13 acres and comes with a two-bedroom cottage that has water, septic, Direct TV, full kitchen, full bath, a washer/dryer and air conditioning. Its all available for $649,900.

Its not a subject you spend a lot of time thinking about but you should know how a septic tank works if youre house hunting.

Photo: Via Private Islands Online

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50 Islands You Can Buy | Family Handyman

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified ...

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified to create an incredible private island retreat that will be perfect in our current times with many people planning their own private island retreat.

The accommodations in place include 5 luxury one bedroom beachfront villas, with large wraparound decks, a Welcome centre complete with Spa rooms and a gym, a restaurant/bar building and a guest house near the main buildings. All of the community buildings offer sweeping wrap around verandahs and both overlook the beaches and an a stunning oval shaped pool.

Royal Island, as set up currently, is excellent for private gatherings. Guests enjoy a customised experience, with a world class private chef, beach club, spa, fitness centre, a private catamaran, sports and security. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau and only a 15 minute boat ride from North Eleuthera,

Royal Island is the only island on the market with approvals for both a Golf Course and a marina and is well priced in the market.

Showing by appointment only.

Located off Russell Island in North Eleuthera, Royal Island is a 430 acre private island with beautiful beaches, great elevations a large natural harbour and a turn key private resort operation all less than 20 Minutes from North Eleuthera with its international Airport and FBO.

In 2007 Royal Island was approved for a major marina in the natural harbour in addition to an 18 Hold Golf Course. These approvals can be utilised or modified to create an incredible private island retreat that will be perfect in our current times with many people planning their own private island retreat.

The accommodations in place include 5 luxury one bedroom beachfront villas, with large wraparound decks, a Welcome centre complete with Spa rooms and a gym, a restaurant/bar building and a guest house near the main buildings. All of the community buildings offer sweeping wrap around verandahs and both overlook the beaches and an a stunning oval shaped pool.

Royal Island, as set up currently, is excellent for private gatherings. Guests enjoy a customised experience, with a world class private chef, beach club, spa, fitness centre, a private catamaran, sports and security. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau and only a 15 minute boat ride from North Eleuthera,

Royal Island is the only island on the market with approvals for both a Golf Course and a marina and is well priced in the market.

Showing by appointment only.

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Royal Island - Eleuthera, Bahamas , Caribbean - Private Islands

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, ...

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, combines a turnkey, freehold property with a very affordable price tag something rarely found in a tropical setting this close to the United States.

As previously showcased on an episode of the HGTV series Island Hunters hosted by Private Islands CEO Chris Krolow, Iguana Island features a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with wraparound porch, dining room, bar and living area, plus additional accommodations for staff on the other side of the island, all built to modern standards by an American developer. A boardwalk meanders around the property to encourage leisurely strolls among the foliage, home to migrating butterflies; a 28-foot observation tower allows visitors to gaze across the ocean to the rainforests in the distance.

There is ample room to add a swimming pool, but a refreshing dip is as simple as wading into the sea on the calm west side of the island near the dock. This part of Nicaragua earns raves for its fishing, and anglers can cast off the dock for snapper, mackerel and barracuda, venture offshore for tuna, billfish and wahoo or delve into the virgin jungle rivers of the mainland to pursue trophy-size tarpon and snook. Abundant tropical fish on the surrounding reefs will appeal to snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts.

The reliable longtime island staff, which includes an on-site manager and caretakers, is willing to stay on with Iguana Islands new owners. A back-up generator, septic system and water catchment system add to the islands self-sufficiency. Water tanks on towers pressurize the faucets and toilets. Television, internet and cell service are available as well. The proximity to Bluefields, which has the largest population center on Nicaraguas east coast, means that supplies are more readily reachable than they are in many other Central American or Caribbean island locales. Iguana Island is also safely below the hurricane belt with pleasant year-round temperatures and a noticeable lack of biting insects.

Nicaraguas country profile remains on the rise, thanks to a system that doesnt tax foreign-sourced income, the low cost of living, and an increasing number of travelers drawn to its relaxed beauty. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects growth in international tourist arrivals to Nicaragua for at least the next decade, with numbers exceeding 2.7 million visitors by 2027.

Numerous daily flights connect between the United States and Managua, Nicaraguas capital, and then its a 45-minute hop by plane to Bluefields for a boat transfer to Iguana Island from one of the towns many public or private docks. The island has an area suitable for building a helipad, which would further reduce transit time.

With its well-maintained infrastructure and small monthly maintenance fees, Iguana Island easily could be reimagined into a retreat for an organization or transformed into a source of rental income with more competitive rates than other island areas of Nicaragua. (Private Islands can assist with setting up a rental plan.) It could also provide a safe, idyllic place to retire on a much smaller budget than youd find on comparable tropical islands. Due to a death in the family, the current owner has Iguana Island on the market at a reduced rate and all reasonable offers will be taken into consideration.

The sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the shoreline provides the daily soundtrack on Iguana Island, a volcanic island 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Clear blue-green water dominates sight lines in all directions, and the regions spectacular sunrises and sunsets make the views all the more dramatic at daybreak and nightfall. This five-acre retreat, cloaked in coconut palms and banana trees for maximum privacy, combines a turnkey, freehold property with a very affordable price tag something rarely found in a tropical setting this close to the United States.

As previously showcased on an episode of the HGTV series Island Hunters hosted by Private Islands CEO Chris Krolow, Iguana Island features a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with wraparound porch, dining room, bar and living area, plus additional accommodations for staff on the other side of the island, all built to modern standards by an American developer. A boardwalk meanders around the property to encourage leisurely strolls among the foliage, home to migrating butterflies; a 28-foot observation tower allows visitors to gaze across the ocean to the rainforests in the distance.

There is ample room to add a swimming pool, but a refreshing dip is as simple as wading into the sea on the calm west side of the island near the dock. This part of Nicaragua earns raves for its fishing, and anglers can cast off the dock for snapper, mackerel and barracuda, venture offshore for tuna, billfish and wahoo or delve into the virgin jungle rivers of the mainland to pursue trophy-size tarpon and snook. Abundant tropical fish on the surrounding reefs will appeal to snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts.

The reliable longtime island staff, which includes an on-site manager and caretakers, is willing to stay on with Iguana Islands new owners. A back-up generator, septic system and water catchment system add to the islands self-sufficiency. Water tanks on towers pressurize the faucets and toilets. Television, internet and cell service are available as well. The proximity to Bluefields, which has the largest population center on Nicaraguas east coast, means that supplies are more readily reachable than they are in many other Central American or Caribbean island locales. Iguana Island is also safely below the hurricane belt with pleasant year-round temperatures and a noticeable lack of biting insects.

Nicaraguas country profile remains on the rise, thanks to a system that doesnt tax foreign-sourced income, the low cost of living, and an increasing number of travelers drawn to its relaxed beauty. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects growth in international tourist arrivals to Nicaragua for at least the next decade, with numbers exceeding 2.7 million visitors by 2027.

Numerous daily flights connect between the United States and Managua, Nicaraguas capital, and then its a 45-minute hop by plane to Bluefields for a boat transfer to Iguana Island from one of the towns many public or private docks. The island has an area suitable for building a helipad, which would further reduce transit time.

With its well-maintained infrastructure and small monthly maintenance fees, Iguana Island easily could be reimagined into a retreat for an organization or transformed into a source of rental income with more competitive rates than other island areas of Nicaragua. (Private Islands can assist with setting up a rental plan.) It could also provide a safe, idyllic place to retire on a much smaller budget than youd find on comparable tropical islands. Due to a death in the family, the current owner has Iguana Island on the market at a reduced rate and all reasonable offers will be taken into consideration.

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Iguana Island - Nicaragua, Central America - Private Islands

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with t ...

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with the widening of the river bed and a ninth, a tenth and a eleventh arch were added to the Azzoni Visconti bridge around and after 1440.

The material generated by these works was deposited in the area called "The Lazzaretto" and subsequently to ensure that the waters flowed better a canal was created that separated the Viscontea Island from the mainland and it is in this way that the islet was probably formed. Some researchers argue that Leonardo Da Vinci may have played an active role in these operations around the year 1500.

Viscontea island was used as a defense fort and as a military garrison. Later, however, it became a fisherman's house. The island building was inhabited until 1956. It was rented until 1961 before the last owners took possession of it.

The land size of the island is approximately 2150 square meters. The main building has a size of 238 square meters and needs to be completely renovated. As these are historic buildings, they are protected by landscape restrictions. There are also small ancillary buildings in the garden for a size of about 25 square meters.The island is located in a strategic position: just 50 minutes from the international airports of Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate. Only 30 minutes from Bergamo airport. The city of Lecco has a train station that connects it to Milan in just 45 minutes, and Switzerland is about an hour away.

Years ago a local weekly newspaper had written:"Hello, tiny, romantic, ancient Isola Viscontea, green almost triangular raft in the galloping waters of the Adda, which is noticed by those who enter in Lecco from Visconti bridge. In a river where everything has changed on the banks, the Island remains unchanged, almost mysterious and impenetrable".

The Viscontea Island is located in Lecco, where the branch of lake Como becomes, again, the river Adda. Its origins are uncertain, but can easily be linked to the fate of the Azzone Visconti bridge. This became a source of discord between Lecco, Como, and the lakeside lands because it was believed that it could be the cause of the flooding of the lake that constantly submerged the main square of Como. It was therefore decided to proceed with the widening of the river bed and a ninth, a tenth and a eleventh arch were added to the Azzoni Visconti bridge around and after 1440.

The material generated by these works was deposited in the area called "The Lazzaretto" and subsequently to ensure that the waters flowed better a canal was created that separated the Viscontea Island from the mainland and it is in this way that the islet was probably formed. Some researchers argue that Leonardo Da Vinci may have played an active role in these operations around the year 1500.

Viscontea island was used as a defense fort and as a military garrison. Later, however, it became a fisherman's house. The island building was inhabited until 1956. It was rented until 1961 before the last owners took possession of it.

The land size of the island is approximately 2150 square meters. The main building has a size of 238 square meters and needs to be completely renovated. As these are historic buildings, they are protected by landscape restrictions. There are also small ancillary buildings in the garden for a size of about 25 square meters.The island is located in a strategic position: just 50 minutes from the international airports of Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate. Only 30 minutes from Bergamo airport. The city of Lecco has a train station that connects it to Milan in just 45 minutes, and Switzerland is about an hour away.

Years ago a local weekly newspaper had written:"Hello, tiny, romantic, ancient Isola Viscontea, green almost triangular raft in the galloping waters of the Adda, which is noticed by those who enter in Lecco from Visconti bridge. In a river where everything has changed on the banks, the Island remains unchanged, almost mysterious and impenetrable".

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Viscontea Island - Italy, Europe - Private Islands for Sale

Aftermath Islands Metaverse First to Deploy Blockchain Proof of Humanity by Liquid Avatar to Create Safer, Private Online Experience and Eliminate Usernames and Passwords  MarTech Series

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Aftermath Islands Metaverse First to Deploy Blockchain Proof of Humanity by Liquid Avatar to Create Safer, Private Online Experience and Eliminate...

The best Bahamas cruises take you away from the everyday, transporting you to theme park-like private islands and beach-lined paradises. Cruise choices include new and jazzed-up ships sailing an array of short and weeklong Bahamas itineraries. Cruising to the Bahamas is so easy, you may even be able to go without a passport.

Family-friendly lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival, offer cruises focused on the Bahamas all year. So do newcomers Virgin Voyages, with its adults-only sailings, and Margaritaville at Sea, offering short two-night hops and longer cruise-and-stay packages The winter and early spring seasons bring in a handful of itineraries on premium lines like Celebrity and Holland America.

The only cruise lines that dont regularly sail Bahamas cruises are the luxury lines. But dont worry, lux lovers: Many of the ships we included on our list of the best Bahamas cruises offer suites that come with concierge services, private enclaves or special spa privileges. If a luxury cruise to the Bahamas is your goal, look at the top suite options on a mainstream or premium line.

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Whether youre looking for a quick and cheap getaway or a week at the beach, here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries to start your search, in order from shortest to longest.

Though cruising is new to the Margaritaville travel and hospitality franchise, the new cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is essentially a rebranding of the old Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. Its refurbished ship, Paradise, originally debuted in the 1990s for Costa Cruises.

One Jimmy Buffett-themed makeover later, the ship is a perfect fit for the laid-back vibe of the Bahamas. Grab a drink or a bite to eat from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, try your luck at the Par-A-Dice Casino and enjoy plenty of entertainment including the musical production, "Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy's Ship Show." Theres a kids club, a teen club, a spa and two pools stocked with beach balls and inflatable parrots.

The two-night cruise itinerary includes one day in Freeport where you can shop, hit the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. The ship offers shore excursions, or you can explore independently. Margaritaville at Sea also offers cruise-and-stay itineraries of either four or six nights (including the two nights onboard the ship). These packages let you choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where youll stay two or four nights on land, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise carries around 1,300 passengers in an assortment of inside and ocean-view cabins, all around 176 square feet, which is larger than the average for those categories on most mainstream ships. Ten suites with balconies are also available with 524 square feet of space.

Who should go? Obviously, Parrotheads are gonna want to try this ship, with all its Jimmy Buffett-inspired themes and decor, but its also a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising. Pricing also makes this a great cruise to enjoy an escape without spending a fortune. We found weekday sailings that begin at $99 per person.

Related: Best Bahamas cruise tips for first-timers and repeat visitors alike

This itinerary may be the best overall short Bahamas cruise. Both the three- and four-night cruises have stops at Nassau and Royal Caribbean's massive private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Those two stops combined give cruisers the opportunity to enjoy water sports, spend some time at the beach and experience a bit of Bahamian culture.

Freedom of the Seas has plenty of onboard fun to occupy travelers of all ages on sea days. It's loaded with top-deck slides and water features, specialty restaurant choices and more entertainment options than you can take in on a short cruise. Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming.

Plus, logistics for cruising out of Miami are simple enough for even first-time cruisers. From flight choices to pre- or post-cruise hotels, it's a city that caters to tourists, especially the cruising ones.

Who should go? From first-timers to veteran cruisers, anyone looking for a short, but fun-filled hop to the Bahamas should give Freedom of the Seas a look. Families with kids of all ages will find entertainment and activities for toddlers to teens. Couples hoping to escape the kiddos can do that also the adults-only Solarium is a dreamy spot to relax. And while the suites on the ship arent the two-deck variety found on some of the lines newer ships, you still have some fabulous suite options if your aim is a luxury-level cruise.

It has been a decade-long wait for Disney to build a new ship, but Disney dreamers have finally had their wish granted. Even better, the new Disney Wish cruises to the Bahamas. Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando's Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The four-night itinerary adds a sea day to enjoy the ship.

The ship is designed to immerse cruisers in the various Disney worlds through technology, some new to the fleet. An onboard augmented reality game turns the Disney Cruise Line Navigator smartphone app into a virtual spyglass that lets cruisers participate in a fantasy adventure with Disney and Pixar characters. The AquaMouse waterslide combines a splashy tube ride in a two-seater raft with a pre-adventure tale told through screens inside the beginning of the ride. Diners at the Worlds of Marvel restaurant take part in an interactive Avengers-themed experience through videos and special effects.

Wish carries 4,000 passengers, in staterooms and suites designed to make cruising with kids simple. But never fear adult Disney fans, you'll find your spot onboard as well. From the Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Lounge to the Quiet Cove adults-only sun deck, Disney manages to cater to grownups, as well as kids.

Who should go? This is obviously the best Bahamas cruise for lovers of all things Disney, but that includes Star Wars and Marvel fans.

Related: Best shore excursions for Bahamas cruises

Virgin Voyages aimed from the very beginning to be a disrupter in the cruise market creating a product that is designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. The itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Scarlet Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini.

But it's the ship itself that sets the scene for 2,700 sailors, as Virgin calls its passengers. Youll find unique staterooms (with balcony hammocks), brash red livery and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, such as onboard tattoo parlors, drag shows and 80s-themed fitness classes.

Who should go? This is the best Bahamas cruise for the non-cruiser who is either young at heart or just young and eager to party aboard this glitzy ship. If youre easily offended by loud music, round-the-clock partying or sexual innuendo, this is not your Bahamas cruise.

If youre looking for a Bahamas cruise thats a bit more upscale, Celebrity Cruises offers a series of four- and sometimes five-night sailings between November and April from South Florida ports aboard Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Summit. Ports of call include Nassau along with either Bimini or Key West, both of which are fun ports and yours may be the only ship in port at either of them.

Summit is among the lines smaller ships and carries just over 2,000 passengers, while the decade younger Silhouette has a capacity approaching 3,000. Either ship offers a quieter choice for a Bahamas cruise when compared to the big-ship, mass-market lines that cruise there year-round. Think posh resort more than theme park. Neither ship has slides or extravagant water play features. Children are welcome and the line has a kids program onboard, but overall, the ship is geared toward couples, with the average age onboard over 50.

Who should go? Celebrity's ships are best left to lovers of a less frenetic style of cruising. They are ideal for girls getaways, with a ritzy spa and lots of places to sit and visit both indoors and out on the pool deck. Cruisers looking for a luxurious Bahamas cruise experience can take their escape from the world a step further by choosing a suite in The Retreat, which includes an exclusive sun deck, lounge and the Luminae restaurant, available only to suite guests.

Related: Best time to cruise to the Bahamas

I am a huge lover of five-night sailings. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port without adding any extra vacation days. Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers that can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line offers two different five-night routes aboard Carnival Freedom. One has stops in Nassau, the Princess Cays private island and a bonus stop in Turks and Caicos. The other route has two sea days with stops in Bimini and Turks and Caicos. Carnival alternates the five-night routes with four-nighters, making extended cruises possible by booking back-to-back sailings.

Carnival Freedom carries just under 3,000 cruisers and has something to offer almost everyone at an affordable price. In particular, Carnival is known for providing multiple free food options to choose from and the food is good. The ship has top-deck water features, a Serenity adults-only sun deck, and a dedicated comedy club.

Who should go? This cruise is the best Bahamas cruise for budget-conscious cruisers. If your goal is to get to the islands on the cheap, try Carnival Freedom. Other than during peak December holidays, the five-night sailings on Freedom are priced almost the same as the four-night sailings.

Not all Bahamas cruises sail from ports in Florida. Carnival Dream has a capacity of just under 4,000 and operates a fun itinerary from Galveston that includes stops at Nassau, Freeport, the Half Moon Cay private island and Key West. As Key West continues to downsize its cruise ship capacity, any cruise that calls there feels like a bonus.

You'll find plenty of attractions on this ship to fill three days at sea. For food, you can nosh at not one, but two Guy Fieri eateries Guy's Burger Joint and Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse. The Cloud 9 Spa is idyllic and there are spa staterooms in every category that include unlimited access to the thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool.

I love that Carnival Dream has some affordable cabins that dont fit the normal description. For example, the Interior with Picture Window is more like an obstructed oceanview cabin but is priced as if it has no view at all. Also in the interior category are rooms with only upper and lower bunks some of them with porthole windows. These could be a fun room for a single parent cruising with one child.

Who should go? This is the best Bahamas cruise for anyone looking for a weeklong cruise that doesn't break the bank but still offers plenty of onboard fun and a broad range of stateroom options.

The best Bahamas cruises offer something cruisers cant quite get enough of whether its beach time or party time. While short sailings are still the most popular offering among Bahamas itineraries, there are options for almost every cruising style. The key is finding the cruise that fits your style, your preferred activities and your vacation budget.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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The 7 best Bahamas cruises for every type of traveler - The Points Guy

Just off the rugged coastline of Georgian Bay lies a private island where Ontario has made a big exception to the hunting rules followed just about everywhere else in the province.

Most places in Ontario have an open season on deer that lasts about two weeks. Up until recently, it lasted 11 weeks on Griffith Island, just north of Owen Sound, where the luxurious Griffith Island Club serves an exclusive clientele of North American elites. And earlier this year, the Doug Ford government quietly extended the deer hunting season again for Griffith Island and neighbouring Hay Island, which is also privately owned hunters in both places can now hunt deer with rifles there for 13 weeks, the longest season in the province.

Griffith Island Club doesnt list its current membership fees on its website, but in 1975 it charged $20,000 to join plus annual dues, according to a Macleans article published that year. Members and guests over the past half-century include MPPs and MPs from various parties, along with professional sports executives and plenty of Bay Street types. When the province proposed the idea for an extended season on Ontarios environmental registry last November, it said the change would allow the Griffith Island Club to better manage the islands [sic] deer populations and increase opportunity for clients and club members.

The office of Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith didnt respond to multiple emails and calls from The Narwhal asking why it has such an interest in expanding the hunting privileges enjoyed by members of the private club. The office of Premier Doug Ford also didnt answer when asked whether he or any MPPs in the Progressive Conservative caucus have ever been there.

The Narwhal also asked Griffith Island Club management questions about its price of admission, membership list and how exactly it ended up as the beneficiary of the policy change. In an email, club chairman Marc Dumont didnt answer most of the questions, including whether the club had asked the government for the extension Ontarios lobbying registry shows no record of contact between the Ford government and the club.

Hunting regulations are set by the Province of Ontario, and the club has no influence over the establishment of seasons, or any other legislation relevant to our operations or how these are publicly communicated by the minister, Dumont wrote.

The club, like any other business and employer in Ontario, fully complies with all provincial and federal legislation to legally operate. The club does not release any information that is considered personal or confidential in relation to our members and their activities. Dumont also didnt answer questions about why the clubs site advertises wild turkey hunting even though Ontarios publicly-posted regulations dont allow the bird to be harvested there.

While the dates for Ontarios hunting seasons in most areas are posted in an online provincial guide, that site contains no such information for Griffith Island and Hay Island, saying only that each has a unique season and that the public can call for more information (two other areas in Ontario have the same disclaimer, but those exceptions seem unrelated to the islands). This opacity has drawn criticism, especially about whether its fair for the 70 or so members of the club to enjoy a longer hunting season than everywhere else.

Lawrence Kowal is from the Kawartha Lakes region, northeast of Toronto, and has hunted for years near Haliburton, Ont. He heard about the changes to the hunting season on Griffith Island when a friend forwarded him the environmental registry posting, in which the idea was lumped in with a series of other adjustments to Ontario hunting regulations.

Why would you have to add two more weeks to a hunt season? he recalls thinking. That seems excessive.

The more he looked into it, he said, the more he saw red flags.

It was an absolute absence of information, he said. There should be more transparency.

The Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers, which represents over 100,000 members in the province, formally opposed the extended season when the government proposed it. The federations manager of policy, Mark Ryckman, said in an interview that some members were concerned, and that the organization generally doesnt support landowners getting preferential access to hunting opportunities.

Ultimately these are public wildlife resources or natural resources, managed on behalf of all Ontarians by the provincial government, so we dont want to see hunting or fishing for that matter become a pastime that only the wealthy can afford, Ryckman said.

Griffith Island is about 2,300 acres, though reports of its exact size vary. The federal government maintains a historic lighthouse on one side. The rest is owned exclusively by the Griffith Island Club.

The modern-day club can sleep 22 guests at a time. Theyre fed gourmet meals by a private chef and treated with access to a games room and sauna. Photos on the clubs website show cushy bedrooms and a woodsy guest lounge, adorned with glossy leather chairs, a pool table and a stags head mounted on the wall.

An airstrip on the island allows some to fly in on chartered aircraft (no jets, though those use the nearby airport in Wiarton, Ont.). Many cross over on the clubs ferry, Islander II. Guests can also fish, swim in the turquoise water or shoot clay targets on about a dozen courses.

The Griffith Island Club has a limited number of membership opportunities available to suitable candidates, its website says. All candidates are subject to a review process by the Club Board, with circulation to all members.

On Facebook and Instagram, visitors have listed the island as their location when posting photos of their time there. The pictures show ladies in billowing white dresses at the steps of a private plane, a hunter green napkin embroidered with the clubs logo and people with guns and neon orange vests posing by the deer and heaps of birds theyve bagged. One photo taken in front of a gun rack shows a teenage boy in a fur coat wielding a wad of cash the size of his head in one hand and an even larger bottle of brown liquid in the other.

Personalities like NHL executive Brian Burke and Chip and Pepper clothing line cofounder Chip Foster have made appearances at the club, as have former Progressive Conservative MPP Michael Harris and the former Conservative MP for the area, Larry Miller.

The clubs website boasts of the islands history stretching back to the landing there of Samuel de Champlain, but the Saugeen Ojibway Nation traces its history there much further back. The nation didnt respond to a request for an interview, but has said the Bruce Peninsula, which Griffith Island sits next to, and the surrounding area of Georgian Bay was stolen from them by the Crown in the 1800s. In an 1899 newspaper ad, the Department of Indian Affairs announced that it would accept bids for Griffith Island and its timber.

The island passed through various hands in the 20th century, including late Toronto Maple Leafs owner Jack Bickell, also a member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, and a group of his businessman buddies. It later became the property of Frigidaire, then owned by General Motors. The company used it for the schooling and recreation of GM executives from all over the continent, The Globe and Mail wrote in 1957.

It was about that time when Griffith Island started appearing to be subject to different set of rules.

At the time, no deer hunting was allowed in the rest of Grey County, which Griffith Island is a part of, but it happened year round on the island, the paper reported. The Liberal MPP who represented the Bruce Peninsula at the time, Ross Whicher, raised the issue in the legislature, arguing that it was an injustice for deer hunting to be allowed so freely on the island when his constituents on the mainland would be fined for doing the same thing, even if they were trying to feed their family.

The company hung onto the island for about 13 years before selling it: GMs interest in it declined after one of its senior executives was killed in a hunting accident several years ago, said a 1975 article in The Globe and Mail.

By then, Griffith Island was owned by the group of wealthy businessmen who started the nonprofit Griffith Island Club. Its ties to Queens Park go back to its founding: the clubs first president was former Ontario premier John Robarts, a Progressive Conservative. Other early members included Frederik Eaton, president of Eatons of Canada, and a corporate director of the company that owned the Labatt brewery.

In 1975, a Windsor Star reporter who visited the island found that hunters there were allowed to shoot pheasants for seven months, though the season elsewhere in the province was just two weeks long. Deer seasons lasted a few days on the mainland, but two months on Griffith Island. The same year, the clubs manager paid a $100 fine for hunting without a license. Members of Ontarios cabinet hunted there at the time a former club manager gave the Windsor Star blunt assessments of their abilities in 1976, saying natural resources minister Leo Bernier was a good hunter, but transportation minister James Snow doesnt know a cockbird from a hen pheasant and cant hit a barn door.

After the Windsor Star began publishing stories about the club, an MPP questioned then-Ontario premier Bill Davis about it at the legislature, referencing reports of armed guards on the island, and the club serving alcohol without a liquor licence.

I have been there for dinner on one occasion, Davis said, redirecting questions about it to another minister. I have never hunted at Griffith Island. In fact I have never hunted anywhere.

According to media reports, Griffith Islands lax rules and mystique persisted: by 1983, the Toronto Star which investigated reports that club staff were making just $45 per day for 16 hours of work said that former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau had been spotted there. The younger Trudeau has never visited Griffith Island, with or without his father, the Prime Ministers Office said in an email.

Dont we have any rights? the club president at the time, William Doherty, said to a Star reporter. Youre going to write about us whether we want you to or not, is that quite cricket?

The desire for privacy was a theme then, too: amid a 1978 controversy over a planned and subsequently cancelled foxhunt at Griffith Island, the secretary for the club said he didnt think its anyones business Its a private club, we pay our taxes, were within the law.

In 2004, The Globe and Mail reported on a trip to the island taken in fall 2002 by then-Hydro One chair Glen Wright, who expensed a trip to Griffith Island to the utility provider in the years before it was privatized. Wrights bill to the Crown corporation was over $5,000 for a group trip: his guests included a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, Tory political advisors and two Hydro One union leaders. The paper reported it cost $750 per night, and that Wrights expenses included $297 for shotgun shells and $178 for 17 pheasant pies. Wright reimbursed Hydro One after he learned The Globe planned to report on the expenses.

By 2003 the earliest year for which Ontarios hunting regulations are online the deer hunting season on Griffith Island had become an expansive 11 weeks. It stayed that way until being lengthened this year.

There isnt much out there about what happens at the Griffith Island Club today. The club has no public membership list, and the list of directors on its corporate registration appears outdated for example, it includes current Porter Airlines CEO and president Robert J. Deluce, who told The Narwhal that he hasnt been involved with the club for at least a dozen years and cant remember much about the membership process. Basically I lost interest because I was far too busy at Porter, he said in an email.

Others listed on the registration include a variety of Bay Street executives, big names in the road construction industry, a former CFL player, and Niagara Region Coun. Vince Kerrio who is seeking re-election this fall and didnt respond to an email sent through his campaign website. Other listed members who have mentioned visits to the island publicly include corporate leaders of trucking and mining companies.

Along with social media, other snippets of information can be found in job postings. The club is staffed year-round, though members can only visit from April until December. A recent posting for a receptionist describes managing the clubs membership list as a task that requires absolute discretion and confidentiality. Another for a head gamekeeper says candidates should be able to raise over 25,000 gamebirds, duties which include breeding and incubating eggs. Other workers who manage game on the island make $43,000 per year, according to a third posting, and pay $100 bimonthly to live onsite.

Across most of the province, hunters have voluntarily reported how many deer they harvest every year, with numbers online going back to 2008. Hunters on Griffith Island did not report any until the practice was made mandatory in 2019. The same is true on nearby Hay Island, which is also private and enjoys an equally long season: there, only one or two deer have been bagged each year for which there are records.

On Griffith, hunters have reported bagging roughly 70 deer per year, about the same as the number of licenced hunters active on the island, according to provincial data. Kowal, who hunts in Haliburton, said thats a lot a young deer would weigh at least 100 pounds, and big bucks can be four times that.

What they do with it is up to them, Kowal said. But thats an awful lot of people getting a very large serving of venison.

Usually, the Ontario government decides the length, timing and other specifics of local deer hunting seasons by considering how many of the animals live in an area and consulting with stakeholders, including experts in wildlife management. Rifle hunting is most tightly controlled hunters using less powerful weapons, like crossbows, can hunt for longer, in part because they tend to bag fewer deer.

Ryckman, of the hunters and anglers federation, said there could be a biological reason why Griffith Island needs a longer deer hunting season. The balance between predators and prey can easily be thrown off on islands, resulting in either too many deer which could necessitate a longer hunting season or too few.

But if thats why the Ontario government has given Griffith Island an extended season for so many years, the province hasnt said so: along with the current Progressive Conservative government, the Ontario Liberal Party didnt answer questions from The Narwhal about why it allowed an 11-week hunting season on Griffith Island during the most recent 15 years it was in power. The party also didnt answer when asked whether any of the partys current MPPs or staff had ever visited the island or been a member of the Griffith Island Club. The Ontario NDP and Green Party, likewise, did not agree to an interview about Griffith Island.

And if biological concerns are a problem, it may be odd that the longer deer season does apply to Griffith Island and neighbouring Hay Island which sold to a new owner last year for $14 million, after being advertised as an idyllic retreat with an extended hunting season but not White Cloud Island, which is just a stones throw away. On the provinces online proposal to add two weeks to the season on Griffith and Hay, one comment is a complaint that the extended season doesnt apply on White Cloud, where landowners arenot huge corporations but private people who own land on a private island. The comment, which was anonymized, said the move amounts to nothing but someone catering to big money and ignoring others who have spent their own money. It is a biased and blatant example of favouritism.

Ryckman said that while the federation is opposed to the exclusive access and the very long season provided to the owners of Griffith Island we dont really have any population health or sustainability concerns about the deer population on the island. For that reason, his organization is unlikely to push the issue much further: The primary focus of the OFAH is the conservation of the resource, he added.

Kowal said its unfair that Griffith Island gets preferential treatment. He gets exactly 13 days to hunt deer, rain or shine he usually spends them in the bush with friends, and if the weathers bad, they dont have the luxury of going again. They limit what they hunt and eat what they harvest, always thinking about conserving the deer so theyll be around next year.

Its something that you have to be mindful of and protect, he said. Its not mine to take without some form of rules.

To him, thats not the spirit of whats happening on Griffith Island.

Everyone should have to play under the same rules. They dont. Theyve been given privilege, and done a very good job of keeping it out of the public view.

Illustration: Shawn Parkinson / The Narwhal. Satellite image: Apple Maps

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Most Ontarians get 13 days to hunt deer. Members of this luxe club get 13 weeks - The Narwhal