Ultimate Family Guide to Perfect Day at CocoCay Bahamas

After studying concerning the $200 million transformation in 2019, I used to be keen to go to Royal Caribbean’s non-public island within the Bahamas – Perfect Day at CocoCay. Select Caribbean/Bahamian sailings to go to the island for the day, and it’s stuffed with actions and facilities that may assist you have got the proper day in your trip, no matter your preferences.

As somebody who loves the seashore, heat water, and enjoyable actions, I felt that Perfect Day at CocoCay could be the proper place to spend the day. During my first go to there, I used to be eagerly anticipating a return go to. Since then, I’ve been an extra two instances, experiencing one thing a bit completely different each time.

Disclosure: My sailings on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (and flights to/from the port) and Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, had been complimentary. We additionally had a complimentary cabana and water park entry for the day. I’ve additionally visited with the Odyssey of the Seas at my very own expense (additionally with a cabana paid in full by us). All opinions are my very own. 

Guide to Perfect Day at CocoCay

What is Perfect Day at CocoCay? 

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s non-public Bahamian island (also called Little Stirup Island). Up to 2 ships can dock on the island at one time, and it’s staffed by 350+ staff who reside on the island full time. Despite the 2 cruise ships there throughout my go to, the island by no means felt overly crowded. 

Not all Royal Caribbean ships cease at Perfect Day at CocoCay. So, if it’s one thing you positively wish to do, you’ll wish to be sure that your itinerary features a go to. Cruise ships departing from Galveston, as an illustration, don’t usually cease at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

As a Bahamian island, you may usually count on good temperatures on Perfect Day at CocoCay year-round. However, the winter months could also be a bit chilly. I’ve been to the Bahamas in January when it’s been each cooler and scorching, so it actually can differ. It’s a good suggestion to take a look at the climate forecast earlier than you permit so that you could be ready.

Arriving at Perfect Day at CocoCay 

Once your ship is prepared for disembarkation, you’ll hear an announcement. If you’re doing an tour, you could be given a particular time to fulfill up. Otherwise, you may exit the ship at any time when you’re prepared, as soon as the ship is prepared. There’s even a enjoyable theme music that can play on the ship when you arrive.

Unless you’re spending the day at Coco Beach Club, you’ll wish to carry your individual towels from the ship. You can choose these up together with your key card from the towel kiosk close to the pool deck. Wet towels might be exchanged on the island. Be certain to carry your used towels again to the ship when you find yourself accomplished for the day. 

A complimentary tram runs across the island from the ship. It is, nevertheless, very walkable, when you select to stroll. Don’t overlook to pack your seashore bag for the day with necessities. There are complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas positioned all through the island, with cabanas and daybeds obtainable for lease. Since there are normally two ships docked on the island, you could wish to enterprise out early you probably have a particular spot you wish to be in.

Here’s what you’ll discover on the island:

The very first thing you’ll see as you head into the arrivals plaza is Captain Jill’s Galleon, a ship splash zone with water cannons and small slides. It’s nice for youthful youngsters to splash round.

Thrill Waterpark 

The Thrill Waterpark is a full waterpark positioned proper within the middle of Perfect Day at CocoCay. Home to the tallest waterslide in North America, the Thrill Waterpark is obtainable at an extra cost. It’s price the additional charge when you plan to spend most of your day there. The waterpark add-on is obtainable as a full-day cross.

The waterpark consists of:

Splash Summit: six water slides together with the Sling Shot, Twister, and Splash Speedway.

Daredevil’s Tower: seven separate slides, together with the 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. 

Wave Pool: the most important wave pool within the Caribbean

Adventure Pool: affords an impediment course, a rock wall, and twine swings.

There are chairs and umbrellas positioned all through the waterpark, in addition to cabanas for lease. Freshwater showers can be found, as are seashore wheelchairs. Kids underneath 14 should be accompanied by a paying grownup, whereas youngsters underneath 4 get free admission. 

Splashaway Bay

Like the favored and kid-friendly Splashaway Bay on the ships, this one consists of waterslides, swimming pools, and a drench bucket. It’s complimentary and nice for youthful youngsters. 

Oasis Lagoon 

This central lagoon space affords the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool with three completely different coves. You’ll discover a zero-entry pool, a swim-up bar, and a soothing space. This is a good place for the entire household as a result of youthful youngsters will admire the zero-entry pool. 

Chill Island 

Want to go to the seashore in your trip? Then head to Chill Island, with beachfront entry, chairs, and umbrellas. This is a pleasant, stress-free space to get pleasure from swimming within the lovely Caribbean sea. 

During my go to to Perfect Day at CocoCay, I spent a while within the afternoon cooling off within the water. It was surprisingly heat, and I used to be in a position to get some nice shade underneath an umbrella. 

There’s additionally the second a part of Chill Island referred to as Breezy Bay at Chill Island. This space affords a sports activities courtroom space with basketball and volleyball courts in addition to different enjoyable video games. 

Servers go round taking drink orders – whereas these are an additional charge, a drink package deal bought on the ship does apply on the island. If you want tropical alcoholic drinks, strive the Coco Loco – the signature drink on the island. 

South Beach

This energetic space of the seashore, South Beach affords seashore chairs and umbrellas alongside a slim stretch of seashore. It’s one of many newer components of the island and is on the other facet of the island from the Arrivals Plaza.

There, you’ll discover the floating bar, a barge in the course of the ocean the place you may get a few of your favourite drinks. There are additionally sports activities courts for volleyball and basketball. 

Coco Beach Club 

If you’re on the lookout for a extra luxurious day on the island, the Coco Beach Club could also be good for you. This space is obtainable at an extra charge and affords distinctive floating overwater cabanas, waterfront cabanas, a freshwater pool, and extra. There’s additionally a personal restaurant on this space, only for company of the Coco Beach Club. 

This is a good looking spot, and a fantastic splurge when you’d prefer to have a extra luxurious expertise throughout your loved ones cruise trip. The meals is very scrumptious and is completely different from what’s served on the remainder of the island.

Activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay

Your Cruise Compass (and the Royal Caribbean app) will embrace an inventory for deliberate actions throughout your Perfect Day at CocoCay. During our crusing, these included open-play volleyball, basketball, big Jenga, bean bag toss, foot billiards, and desk tennis. 

You’ll additionally discover leisure choices on the island, together with the Island Junkanoo Dancers – held each at arrivals and within the afternoon on the Oasis Lagoon Pool. There are additionally bands and different stay music performers, in addition to a DJ. Specific instances and choices are listed within the Cruise Compass. 

Excursions on Perfect Day at CocoCay

You also can e book excursions and additional experiences on the island. Keep in thoughts that availability will likely be diverse, and may all the time be canceled primarily based on climate situations. Activities needs to be booked upfront by Royal Caribbean. Because there are normally two ships docked, there’s extra demand for the excursions and actions.

Some of the extra common excursions embrace the Up Up and Away helium balloon experience (which might be canceled on account of wind), kayaking, a zipper line, spa therapies, jet skis, scuba diving, and swimming with pigs. While these can positively add to your expertise, there are many included actions on the island when you don’t wish to spend any further cash. Be certain to carry closed-toed footwear if planning to experience the zip line. 

Cabanas can be found to lease in numerous areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay together with the Coco Beach Club, Chill Island, South Beach, Thrill Waterpark, and Oasis Lagoon. Cabanas on the waterpark and Coco Beach Club additionally include complimentary admission to these areas (for six individuals on the waterpark and eight individuals on the Beach Club).

During our winter break cruise on the Odyssey of the Seas, we had a cabana on Chill Island. It’s actually a pleasant expertise. You’ll have shade, a quiet place to hang around, and a server to carry you meals and drinks. They are a splurge, however they could be a nice possibility for a extra stress-free expertise. Cabanas do promote out, so that you’ll wish to e book them by the web site upfront.

You also can lease snorkel tools and rafts at numerous areas on the island. Again, these aren’t important however might make your seashore day extra enjoyable. 

Shopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay 

I all the time love purchasing, and fortunately, there’s a nice purchasing space on Perfect Day at CocoCay. The straw market is positioned proper by Chill Beach and consists of small hut buildings with wares from numerous native Bahamians. There’s additionally a small kiosk with Perfect Day at CocoCay brand merchandise. I do want there have been extra branded objects, however that’s only a small space with a number of objects.

Food at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Of course, you’ll wish to eat lunch sooner or later throughout your day, and there are many choices on the island. If you have got rented a cabana for the day, your cabana comes with attendant service, and your cabana attendant may help with getting your meals. Otherwise, you may go to one of many many venues.

There are three areas of the Snack Shack, which supply scorching canine, hamburgers, salads, and appetizers. For tacos, burgers, salads, and extra, go to the Skipper’s Grill subsequent to Splashaway Bay There’s additionally the Chill Grill, at Chill Island, with comparable meals choices. Captain Jack’s Wings and Fries affords a la carte choices (for an extra price) when you’d choose that menu.

To have the Perfect Day, it’s a good suggestion to do some planning upfront. Make certain you make any purchases of extras (together with excursions) as quickly as you may. Check the precise particulars to make sure you know precisely what sort of stuff you’ll want for the tour.

You’ll additionally wish to pack a seashore bag to take with you together with sunscreen, a hat, lip balm, and the rest you’ll want to guard your self from the sturdy Caribbean solar and luxuriate in your day. While the ship received’t be too distant, you received’t wish to return to get any objects you’ve forgotten.