Carnival Ships Stopping at Royal Caribbean’s Island?

This appears to be the case. It looks like all the Carnival Fascination’s cruises that would have stopped at Key West will now anchor off of Little Stirrup Cay, better known as Coco Cay to Royal Caribbean fans.

I think I have a guess as to why: The vessel homeports in Jacksonville. The trip from Key West to Jacksonville is 454nm. The trip from Little Stirrup Cay to Jacksonville is only 356nm. About 100nm less. Although kind of an odd arrangement to reduce 100 miles. Since Royal Caribbean leases this island, Carnival will be paying Royal Caribbean. Don’t see that too often.

photo via wikimedia