Good Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s 125-acre personal island within the Bahamas, is stuffed with thrilling adventures and stress-free seashores for vacationers.
You will discover overwater cabanas, quiet locations to sit back, and shorelines bumping social gathering music. Adrenaline seekers may expertise gigantic waterslides, zip strains, and sizzling air balloon rides.
I visited CocoCay throughout my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Marvel of the Seas in Could 2022. Though it felt like an extension of the ship, I longed for a extra genuine Bahamian expertise.
Welcome to Good Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s 125-acre personal island within the Bahamas.
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Royal Caribbean is not the one cruise line with a non-public island within the Bahamas. Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian every have their very own Bahamian paradise.
CocoCay is barely accessible to cruisers on Royal Caribbean ships.
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Many Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries embrace a cease right here.
CocoCay was the ultimate cease of my seven-night Caribbean cruise.
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The ship sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and likewise stopped in Roatán, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Admiral Cruises, an organization Royal Caribbean acquired in 1988, leased the island till 2050 in 1985, based on Royal Caribbean. In 2019, the island bought a $250 million makeover.
The one individuals who dwell on CocoCay are Royal Caribbean workers, based on the cruise line.
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Two Royal Caribbean ships can dock at CocoCay on the similar time.
As Royal Caribbean friends step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.
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I assumed the band set the chilliness, Caribbean vibe as I walked off the dock.
Most sights on the island, together with the meals and lots of the swimming pools and seashores, are complimentary to cruise friends.
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Company might munch on the island’s burgers, sizzling canines, salads, and cookies.
The island is straightforward to navigate, due to maps, signage, and color-coded paths.
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Inexperienced results in Chill Island, orange results in Oasis Lagoon, and blue results in Thrill Waterpark.
To get round, stroll or experience a free tram to totally different components of the island.
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I assumed the tram was a pleasant contact, however I most well-liked getting round on foot.
In case you’re a vacationer who simply needs to chill out, head to Chill Island, which is free to entry.
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Chill Island is the place to spend a laid-back day in a lounge chair within the sand. It has no music, making it the quietest seashore on CocoCay. The seashore is filled with umbrellas and chairs, that are all free to make use of.
You’ll absolutely discover a snug spot.
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Based on Royal Caribbean, the island has 6,000 lounge chairs and 12,000 umbrellas.
If you’d like extra privateness, you may hire a daybed on the seashore.
There are additionally over-the-water cabanas.
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These floating cabanas value $1,000 to hire once I visited.
After all, there’s a swim-up bar offshore.
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Cruise ship drink packages prolong to CocoCay.
For a extra energetic seashore day, try South Seaside on the opposite facet of the island.
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Right here, you will discover loads of out of doors actions, like basketball, volleyball, and even life-size billiards.
Each seashores supply free facilities that make your day simpler and extra satisfying …
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This consists of lockers in your change of garments and valuables.
… like free life vests in your security.
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This might be particularly helpful for households touring with youngsters.
Each seashores have snorkeling shacks. I used to be capable of hire gear for $37.
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I went snorkeling at Chill Island and noticed some fairly cool fish.
The seashores have a number of retailers that promote souvenirs.
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I noticed T-shirts and necessities like sunscreen on the market.
In case you favor the pool over the seashore, head to Oasis Lagoon.
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It’s dwelling to the most important freshwater pool within the Caribbean, based on the cruise line.
The pool options a number of inviting coves and upbeat music.
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There’s additionally a swim-up bar.
Subsequent to Oasis Lagoon is Splashaway Bay, a water playground for kids.
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The playground seems to be similar to the Splashaway Bay discovered on Royal Caribbean ships. It’s free for friends.
Subsequent door is Thrill Waterpark, the place you will discover the waterslides for the “large youngsters.”
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This space of the island hosts all of the waterslides and the wave pool. After I visited, entry value as much as $140.
Thrill-seekers additionally gravitate towards the recent air balloon experience that reaches 450 toes into the air.
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After I was on the island, it value as much as $84 per individual, however sadly, the winds had been too excessive for the balloon for use.
Again on the ship, I shortly took in a panoramic view of CocoCay earlier than departing.
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I might see among the different 700 Bahamian islands within the distance, and I puzzled what it could be like to go to them.
Whereas I had a enjoyable and stress-free day at CocoCay, it felt extra like an extension of the cruise ship than a go to to a overseas nation.
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Since I am not into the thrills of waterslides and zip strains, I might have reasonably hung out on a Bahamian island the place I might have realized extra in regards to the tradition.
However for these on the lookout for a resort-style vacation spot, CocoCay has all of it. From sports activities and thrills to peaceable seashores, the island is certain to meet all of your trip wishes.
