Carnival fans are about to get access to a massively revamped private island
Exciting news, Carnival Cruise Line fans: A visit to a massively revamped private island is in your future.
The world's second-largest cruise line on Tuesday announced a wide range of new Caribbean itineraries that would include a visit to Half Moon Cay, a private island that the line said will undergo a massive expansion.
Scheduled to begin in 2026, the new itineraries will be available on seven Carnival ships sailings out of four home ports: Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Baltimore, Maryland.
Already celebrated for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, Half Moon Cay will receive a major makeover that includes the addition of expanded beach areas, new dining venues and new drinking venues, Carnival said.
Also in the works for the private island is a new pier that will allow Carnival's biggest ships, including the 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and sister vessels Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, to dock at the island.
Related: The 8 types of Carnival ships, explained
In its announcement Tuesday, Carnival offered relatively few details on what the expansion of Half Moon Cay would entail but said additional information about the project would be announced soon.
Half Moon Cay originally opened to cruise ships in 1997. At the time, it was leased and used exclusively by Holland America, a sister brand to Carnival. But over the years, it began to welcome Carnival ships, too.
Carnival bought Holland America in 1989, and both lines are now part of parent company Carnival Corp.
Holland America leased Half Moon Cay for 99 years in 1996. Originally called Little San Salvador and renamed Half Moon Cay by the line, the 2,400-acre island was uninhabited and without running water or electricity at the time of the lease's signing.
Holland America initially spent $16 million preparing it for cruise ships and has continued to invest in it over the years. The island is now home to beach villas that can be rented for the day, an oceanside cabana for massages and a multilevel watery fun zone for kids, among a long list of attractions.
Carnival on Tuesday said new itineraries with a revamped Half Moon Cay on the schedule starting in 2026 would include a variety of seven-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings out of Miami on Carnival Celebration — one of Carnival's biggest ships.
Related: Carnival orders 3 massive new ships
In addition to Half Moon Cay, the new Carnival Celebration sailings will include stops at Carnival's soon-to-open Celebration Key and a mix of the following ports: Nassau in the Bahamas; Grand Turk; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Cozumel, Mexico; Mahogany Bay in Honduras; St. Thomas; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Other new itineraries with a revamped Half Moon Cay on the schedule will include seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral on Mardi Gras.
Those trips will include stops at a mix of the following ports in addition to Half Moon Cay: Celebration Key, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Nassau, Cozumel and Mahogany Bay.
In addition to Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia will sail new itineraries out of Port Canaveral.
New itineraries out of Galveston will include six- and eight-night cruises to the Western Caribbean on Carnival Jubilee.
The new six-night itineraries will include visits to Cozumel and Mahogany Bay. The eight-night itineraries will bring visits to Key West, Florida; Nassau; Half Moon Cay; and Celebration Key.
The new itineraries out of Galveston will kick off in September 2026. Prior to that, Carnival Jubilee will operate seven-night itineraries visiting Cozumel; Mahogany Bay; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Two other Carnival ships, Carnival Dream and Carnival Breeze, will sail new itineraries out of Galveston.
Carnival also announced Tuesday new weeklong voyages to a revamped Half Moon Cay out of Baltimore on Carnival Pride.
In addition to Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays, another private island, the sailings will bring stops at Nassau and Celebration Key. Carnival Pride also will sail cruises to Bermuda in 2026.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.