The recent D23 Expo brought news of the Disney Wish, the fifth ship on the Disney Cruise Line, as well as plans for a brand-new Bahamas destination. Lighthouse Point will be designed by the creator of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Joe Rohde, who vowed to preserve the natural beauty and culture of the island. The cruise line’s first Bahamas destination, Castaway Cay, is located on Great Abaco Island and was a 2019 Cruiser’s Choice.
Lighthouse Point is south of Castaway Cay on the island of Eleuthera. It is known for its pink sand beaches and gorgeous coral reefs, which are sure to have a place in the cruise line’s vision. The newest cruise ship isn’t set to embark until January 2022 so there is time to create the ideal Bahamas vacation spot and infuse some Disney magic into it.
Among Rohde’s plan for Lighthouse Point is conservation of the natural environment and collaboration with Bahamian artists and cultural experts. The location was bought by Disney Cruise Line months ago in agreement with the Government of the Bahamas. Less than a quarter of the property will be heavily developed to maintain an authentic experience and respect the local territory.
While the details are still forthcoming, it was revealed that Disney will use sustainable practices and will begin construction once they receive approval from the Government of the Bahamas via an Environmental Impact Assessment. Part of that endeavor includes an open-trestle pier. This will eliminate the need to dredge a ship channel, a process that involves removing part of the water environment and relocating it to another part of the island.
This environmental consciousness paired with Rohde’s experience as an Imagineer should bring about one of the most breathtaking Disney cruise destinations yet. We’ll just have to wait a few years to see it.