I went to Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. I can see why cruise-goers love it, but I wouldn't go back.

Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is full of beaches and thrilling activities like waterslides and zip lines.

admin admin
Apr 15, 2025 - 09:41
0 0
I went to Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. I can see why cruise-goers love it, but I wouldn't go back.
A composite image of the author in her snorkeling gear and a view of CocoCay from above
Business Insider's reporter went to Perfect Day at CocoCay on her first cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • Royal Caribbean has a private island in the Bahamas called Perfect Day at CocoCay. 
  • The island gives cruise guests thrilling activities, relaxing beaches, and underwater adventures.
  • I went for the first time in 2022. While I found it fun, I longed for a more authentic port stop.

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas, is filled with thrilling adventures and relaxing beaches for vacationers.

You'll find overwater cabanas, quiet places to chill, and shorelines bumping party music. Adrenaline seekers can also experience gigantic waterslides, zip lines, and hot air balloon rides.

I visited CocoCay during my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in May 2022. Although it felt like an extension of the ship, I longed for a more authentic Bahamian experience.

Welcome to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas.
Perfect Day at CocoCay island with hot air balloon and water slides seen from above with clear blue waters surrounding it and partly cloudy skies behind
Perfect Day at CocoCay as seen from Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas cruise ship.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise line with a private island in the Bahamas. Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian each have their own Bahamian paradise.

CocoCay is only accessible to cruisers on Royal Caribbean ships.
Two cruise ships docked at CocoCay on a partly-cloudy day with blue skies
Two ships docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Many Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries include a stop here. 

CocoCay was the final stop of my seven-night Caribbean cruise.
A map of where the author went on the cruise
A map showing the stops on the Royal Caribbean cruise the author took.

Google Maps

The ship sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and also stopped in Roatán, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Admiral Cruises, a company Royal Caribbean acquired in 1988, leased the island until 2050 in 1985, according to Royal Caribbean. In 2019, the island got a $250 million makeover.

The only people who live on CocoCay are Royal Caribbean employees, according to the cruise line.
An arrow points to employee housing with palm trees between them and ocean waters in the background
Employee housing on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Two Royal Caribbean ships can dock at CocoCay at the same time.

As Royal Caribbean guests step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.
Band plays under a hut at CocoCay
A band plays under a hut in CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought the band set the chill, Caribbean vibe as I walked off the dock.

Most attractions on the island, including the food and many of the pools and beaches, are complimentary to cruise guests.
Poeple order from the Snack Shack at CocoCay with a blue awning above and clear blue skies above
People order food at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Guests could munch on the island's burgers, hot dogs, salads, and cookies. 

But the exciting features tend to cost extra, like the waterpark.
side-by-side photos show ziplining (L) and the hot air balloon at CocoCay (R)
The island's zip line and hot air balloon.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Other excursions like zip-lining, snorkeling, and hot air balloon rides also incurred an additional price.

The island is easy to navigate, thanks to maps, signage, and color-coded paths.
A red path with a sign on the left directing guests at CocoCay on a partly-cloudy day
Signs direct guests around the island.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Green leads to Chill Island, orange leads to Oasis Lagoon, and blue leads to Thrill Waterpark.

To get around, walk or ride a free tram to different parts of the island.
The tram station with palm trees on a partly cloudy day at CocoCay with blue skies
The tram station at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought the tram was a nice touch, but I preferred getting around on foot.

If you're a vacationer who just wants to relax, head to Chill Island, which is free to access.
People walk through entrance to Chill Island at Coco Cay on a partly cloudy day
People walk into Chill Island.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Chill Island is the place to spend a laid-back day in a lounge chair in the sand. It has no music, making it the quietest beach on CocoCay. The beach is full of umbrellas and chairs, which are all free to use.

You will surely find a comfortable spot.
A beach at CocoCay behind a bridge with pedestrians walking across it
People enjoy a day at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

According to Royal Caribbean, the island has 6,000 lounge chairs and 12,000 umbrellas.

If you want more privacy, you can rent a daybed on the beach.

There are also over-the-water cabanas.
Floating cabanas at the beach in CocoCay with clouds in the background
People enjoy cabanas on the water.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

These floating cabanas cost $1,000 to rent when I visited.

Of course, there is a swim-up bar offshore.
People at a swim-up bar in CocoCay in the ocean with cloudy skies in the background
A swim-up bar at the beach of Chill Island.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Cruise ship drink packages extend to CocoCay.

For a more active beach day, check out South Beach on the other side of the island.
People play life-size pool and volleyball at CocoCay with palm trees in the background
People play billiards at South Beach.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Here, you'll find plenty of outdoor activities, like basketball, volleyball, and even life-size billiards. 

Both beaches offer free amenities that make your day easier and more enjoyable ...
Blue lockers in front of a blue building at CocoCay
Free lockers at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This includes lockers for your change of clothes and valuables.

... like free life vests for your safety.
A sign says "Cleaned and ready for you" above a rack of blue life vests on the beach at CocoCay with palm trees and cloudy blue skies in the background
Life vests at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This could be especially useful for families traveling with kids.

Both beaches have snorkeling shacks. I was able to rent gear for $37.
The author goes snorkeling at CocoCay
The author went snorkeling.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went snorkeling at Chill Island and saw some pretty cool fish.

The beaches have several shops that sell souvenirs.
Shops in the sand between palm trees at CocoCay on a partly-cloudy day
Shops on the beach under the palm trees.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spotted T-shirts and essentials like sunscreen for sale.

If you prefer the pool over the beach, head to Oasis Lagoon.
The entrace to Oasis Lagoon at CocoCay
The entrance to Oasis Lagoon with a freshwater pool.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It is home to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, according to the cruise line.

The pool features several inviting coves and upbeat music.
A pool with five small fountains at the entrance at CocoCay with palm trees and cloudy blue skies in the background
Guests enjoy the pool in Oasis Lagoon.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There's also a swim-up bar.

Next to Oasis Lagoon is Splashaway Bay, a water playground for children.
People walk around Splashaway bay at CocoCay on a partly cloudy day
Guests hang out at Splashaway Bay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The playground looks just like the Splashaway Bay found on Royal Caribbean ships. It is free for guests.

Next door is Thrill Waterpark, where you'll find the waterslides for the "big kids."
Several colorful waterslides at CocoCay with with palm trees between them and ocean waters in the background
Guests ride waterslides at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This area of the island hosts all the waterslides and the wave pool. When I visited, access cost up to $140.

Thrill-seekers also gravitate toward the hot air balloon ride that reaches 450 feet into the air.
The hot air balloon on CocoCay from above with palm trees surrounding it and clear ocean waters in the background
The hot air balloon at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I was on the island, it cost up to $84 per person, but unfortunately, the winds were too high for the balloon to be used.

Back on the ship, I quickly took in a panoramic view of CocoCay before departing.
The edge of CocoCay seen from above with clear ocean waters in the foreground and background
CocoCay as seen from the cruise ship.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could see some of the other 700 Bahamian islands in the distance, and I wondered what it would be like to visit them.

While I had a fun and relaxing day at CocoCay, it felt more like an extension of the cruise ship than a visit to a foreign country.
Thrill Waterpark (L) and the author in front of the shore at the beach in CocoCay
The reporter at CocoCay.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since I'm not into the thrills of waterslides and zip lines, I would have rather spent time on a Bahamian island where I could have learned more about the culture.

But for those looking for a resort-style destination, CocoCay has it all. From sports and thrills to peaceful beaches, the island is sure to fulfill all your vacation desires.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Read More