Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line's private island, and — surprise — it's basically Disneyland on a beach. Everything is themed, everything is clean, everything is organized, and there's a dedicated family beach, adult-only beach, and teen beach. Even the stingray encounter feels wholesome.

Food, drinks, and beach equipment (floats, kayaks, paddleboats) are all included — a significant flex over the competition. The island is beautiful, well-maintained, and the Disney touch means it's the most family-friendly private island in cruising. The adult-only Serenity Bay is also genuinely peaceful.

The tea: Castaway Cay is the gold standard for private cruise islands. The inclusion of everything (food, drinks, water toys) puts every other cruise line to shame. The only downside is that you can only visit on a Disney cruise, which means paying Disney prices for the overall trip. You get what you pay for, and Disney charges accordingly.