royal caribbean

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas, offers a unique getaway for cruise passengers. This beautiful island, designed to provide the ultimate beach day experience, is a popular stop for many of Royal’s Caribbean cruises and is also used by Royal Caribbean’s sister brand, Celebrity. This massive island has multiple themed sectioned areas, including a water park. Because of its size, Royal Caribbean offers a continuously running shuttle to help cruisers traverse the different sections of the island. Check out this promo video from Royal Caribbean for a quick visual of what to expect at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean sometimes docks two ships here simultaneously, so if that’s the case on the day of your visit, you can expect it to obviously be substantially more crowded, as that may mean upwards of 10,000 guests at CocoCay simultaneously. Note that “cay” is generally pronounced “key” (although many cruisers get this wrong), but “Perfect Day at CoCo Key” doesn’t quite have the same flair to it, so in this case, most people call it “Perfect Day at CoCo Cay,” pronouncing the last word as “cay.” About CocoCay The Bahamas, a nation of islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. One of them, Little Stirrup Cay, is home to CocoCay. It’s a huge private island spanning approximately 140 acres, dedicated exclusively to the enjoyment of cruise passengers. The Bahamas, a nation of over 700 islands, is known for its clear blue waters and stunning beaches. CoCo Cay, a private island, provides a tailored experience for cruise guests. The cruise line reserves this private island solely for its passengers, ensuring a controlled and secure environment. Private islands like CocoCay and others like Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cays are reserved exclusively for cruise line passengers, providing a controlled and safe environment for relaxation and fun. It’s really nice to call upon a port where you don’t have to deal with aggressive local vendors hassling you right at the port to buy their goods. You also don’t have to arrange for transportation, figure out where to go and what to do, or book an expensive excursion. Those are the benefits of private islands, and that’s why I now even seek out itineraries that visit them. The swimming with the pigs excursion at CocoCay. Is CocoCay a Tender Port? I really like CocoCay for many reasons, and one of them is that unlike other cruise line private islands like Half Moon Cay, CocoCay is not a tender port. This means that cruisers avoid the tedious time-suck of taking a water shuttle 20-30 minutes each way from the cruise ship to the pier, and instead, they just step right out from the ship onto a pier. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Things to Do at CocoCay Because CocoCay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through the cruise line. If you’re visiting here, you can enjoy the following types of activities. Enjoy a Beach Day Enjoying a relaxing beach day is one of the free things to do at CocoCay, as many of the sections (more on that in a moment) are free for guest use. Additionally, cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and unlike other cruise line private islands, Royal Caribbean even provides umbrellas free of charge, although daybeds and cabanas are available to rent at an additional fee. Beach strollers are also available at no cost, but like loungers and other complimentary amenities, they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests seeking a more exclusive or elevated beach day experience can pay a fee to enjoy the specialty areas of Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club. Free kid-friendly activities at CocoCay include Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon, which are two splash pads designed specifically for children, and Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, covering three-quarters of an acre. Adventure Activities CocoCay provides some great adventure activities for cruisers seeking more adrenaline-pumping activities, including the Thrill Waterpark, Zipline, and the Up, Up, and Away balloon ride. Each activity requires an additional fee, varying by season and demand (and they can get quite expensive, especially the waterpark!), and has some specifications, such as height and weight requirements, and guests must wear close-toed shoes on the zipline. The Thrill Waterpark is a popular spot featuring North America’s tallest waterslide, Daredevil’s Peak, a wave pool, and numerous other exciting water slides. The zipline allows cruisers to soar over the island, covering 1,600 feet in three segments. The Up, Up, and Away balloon ride provides a unique experience, lifting guests 450 feet into the air for stunning aerial views. Royal Caribbean Excursions As noted above, because this is a private island, no independent or third-party excursions are available, only ones offered by Royal Caribbean. Adventure activities like the waterpark, zipline, and balloon ride are offered as excursion options, but others are also generally available. These include snorkeling, boat rides, jet skiing, and swimming with the pigs. I personally participated in the latter and loved the experience, although reviews on this one tend to be mixed, which I documented here. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Are CocoCay Cabana Rentals Worth it? Guests wanting a more private and luxurious experience at CocoCay can rent a private cabana to enhance the island experience. Each cabana provides unique amenities and varying levels of luxury (and varying costs, of course). Royal Caribbean offers these with dynamic pricing, meaning that the cost fluctuates depending on seasonality and demand. Chill Island Cabanas offer a relaxing retreat with sectional seating and beach loungers priced between $299 and $569. Oasis Lagoon Cabanas, located by the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, provide a similar setup with poolside access. For a more exclusive experience, Coco Beach Club Cabanas cost $949 to $1,599, including access to an infinity pool and upscale dining. The pinnacle of luxury is the Coco Beach