Disney Cruise Line has scheduled the inaugural calls for Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy at Lighthouse Point, a new private destination on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
A three-night preview cruise on Disney Magic departing June 6th, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale will offer a sneak peek of Lighthouse Point with limited access to some areas, followed by a 7-night sailing aboard Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral on June 8th with two stops at Lighthouse Point and one day at Castaway Cay.
Following these inaugural voyages, Lighthouse Point will be a featured port of call on select 3-, 4- and 5-night sailings on the Disney Magic out of Fort Lauderdale. The itineraries will vary stops between Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, with five departures including both private destinations. Bookings open to the public on March 30th.
Lighthouse Point will feature a family water play area
Lighthouse Point joins Castaway Cay as the cruise line’s second private island destination in the Bahamas, and will offer an expansive family beach centrally located near market-style dining and recreation areas.
There will also be a Bahamian art and culture pavilion featuring special programs and local artists, as well as a themed kids club for children ages 3 to 12 with a splash pad inspired by “The Little Mermaid” and a dedicated dining area.
Lighthouse Point will also have a family water play area with two slides, water drums, fountains and a dedicated space for toddlers, but there is also an adult-exclusive beach with a dedicated dining area and six private cabanas available with a reservation.
There will be a covered gaming pavilion, a volleyball court and a gaga ball pit, nature trails for hiking and biking, and rentals for watercraft and bicycles.
An exclusive beach will be lined with 20 premium family cabanas available for rent, including four double cabanas to accommodate larger groups and offer massages.
Family and group cabanas on the beach
Disney Cruise Line said it will also offer excursions with local tour operators showcasing the natural elements and the island’s culture.
The destination has been built with sustainability in mind, with 90% of electricity expected to be delivered through solar, while the pier was designed to avoid the need for dredging and elevated walkways will limit guests’ impact on the landscape.
The project has attracted significant controversy in the Bahamas, however, due to the potential environmental damage that could be done to the local ecology, which is one of the Bahamas most treasured marine areas.
“The Bahamas is under immense pressure from a rapidly growing cruise ship industry,” says a statement from the campaign group Stop Disney. “Lighthouse Point is among the nation’s most spectacular untouched areas, and any decision about its future should be fully informed and publicly debated.”
“Disney has worked for years to build a strong environmental record. Now their cruise line is about to make a big mistake at Lighthouse Point,” it adds.
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