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Stacy
Trip Date 12/17/2021 Posted On 01/19/2022 11:11:11 |
Destinations | Cruise | Royal Caribbean | Caribbean Ports | Bahamas | Cruise Line Private Islands | Little Stirrup Cay | Perfect Day at CocoCay | Complimentary Activities
Caribbean ports are popular with cruisers from around the world. Today, there are a number of cruise line private islands - destinations visited exclusively by cruise ship passengers. While many cruise lines have their own private island, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay is in a class by itself.
The island chain of the Bahamas is renowned for its pink and white sandy beaches surrounded by clear water. In recent years, the island known as Little Stirrup Cay has been transformed by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has designed a place abundant with amenities and many complimentary activities. Read on to see what's different about CocoCay and start planning YOUR Perfect Day at CocoCay!
What is Perfect Day at CocoCay?
You've probably seen and heard the television commercials advertising Perfect Day at CocoCay, but you may wonder what all of the buzz is about. Perfect Day at CocoCay is the first land destination developed as part of Royal Caribbean's planned Perfect Day Island Collection. Each destination will be leased, privately developed and used exclusively as a destination for the cruise line. (Perfect Day at Lelepa, the next planned private island destination, will be in the South Pacific island chain of Vanuatu.)Today's "Perfect Day at CocoCay" was previously known as Little Stirrup Cay. Located in the Bahamas island chain in the Caribbean, CocoCay is approximately 55 miles north of Nassau and 140 miles east of Miami. A majority of Royal Caribbean cruise ships sailing from Florida's east coast ports now make stops of varying lengths at the island.
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1. Watch the Pier Performers
Once you make your way from the cruise ship to the Arrivals Plaza, be on the lookout for pier performers. Our ship had a delayed arrival into CocoCay, so it was nearly 12:30 in the afternoon when we approached the bandstand. Even with the Jewel of the Seas already in port and our late arrival, we were still welcomed with a local singer.Later in the afternoon, as we were exploring more of the island, we were treated with a local dance performance as well,
2. Get Some Exercise and See the Island
There are lots of opportunities for increasing your step count by exploring the island on foot. There are paths that lead from the Arrivals Plaza (at the end of the pier) around most of the island. Choose your direction and start walking. (The part of the island where the island employees live is closed off to guests, so you can't explore the entire island.)- Be prepared with shoes that are comfortable for walking on sand as there are some places where that's the only option;
- Beach Access Wheelchairs are available (first-come, first-served) for anyone who can't easily get around on the sand. Check near the tram stop closest to the Arrivals Plaza, near Harbor Beach or at Skipper's Grill if anyone in your travel party would like to borrow one while on the island.
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3. Ride the Tram
If walking around the island sounds less than appealing, you can also get around Perfect Day at CocoCay with a free ride aboard the tram. With continuous service throughout the day, the tram leaves from the Thrill Waterpark near the Arrivals Plaza and makes stops at South Beach, Coco Beach Club, Up, Up and Away, Oasis Lagoon and Chill Island. Service is hop-on, hop-off with a tram departing from each stop approximately every 15 minutes.There's also a separate (smaller) shuttle available for transporting guests down the pier from the ship to the Arrivals Plaza.
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4. Relax in the Shade or Soak up Some Rays
If lying on a lounge chair sounds like the perfect way to spend your perfect day (or at least part of your day), Royal Caribbean has you covered. Whether you prefer the sun or the shade, Chill Island has lots of available loungers perched atop the powdery white sand - all at no additional cost. Loungers are first-come, first served, and once you select yours, your biggest decision will be whether or not to raise the umbrella!- While Chill Island is probably one of the more quiet places on CocoCay, there are also complimentary loungers and
umbrellas at Harbor Beach, South Beach, the Oasis Lagoon Pool and Breezy Bay at Chill
Island.
Harbor Beach - So Many Choices on CocoCay - If you purchased one of the VOOM internet packages, you can access the internet on the island just as you do on the ship.
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5. Seek out Sand-sational Sand Sculptures
If you've got kids in tow (or even if you don't), it might be fun to dig, scoop and stack to build your own sand castle. If that's too much work, you can stare in amazement at the professionally built sand sculptures ready and waiting for your arrival.6. Splish Splash Time for the Young Tikes
Both Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are favorites with all the youngsters visiting the island. Whether it's the water cannons, fountains, geysers, drench buckets or slides, getting wet has never been more fun. Beware - it will be hard to convince your little tikes to leave these complimentary areas designed just for them!7. Swim or Snorkel with the Sand Beneath Your Toes
When the Caribbean waters begin calling your name, don't pass up on your opportunity to take a dip. The choice is yours to just wade in the water, go for a swim or seek out the underwater life while snorkeling. We found the most sea life swimming close to the rock wall near the sandy beach at Chill Island. There's reportedly even an airplane wreck about 150 feet from the shoreline!- If everyone in your travel group wants to get in the water together, you might feel more comfortable locking up any
valuables that you brought along. There are at least five locker walls on the island - select your own 4 digit code and
lock your items inside. Just remember to retrieve your valuables before returning to the ship!
Keep Your Valuables Safe on CocoCay - While life jackets are available (complimentary) throughout CocoCay, there is a charge for renting snorkel gear
(snorkel, mask and fins). If you bring your own, you can save the additional expense.
Pick the Size that Fits You Best! - Rinsing off the sand and salt water is easy as there are freshwater showers throughout the island.
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8. Float in the Freshwater of the Oasis Lagoon Pool
If some time in the water sounds appealing but salt water is not your thing, check out the Oasis Lagoon Pool. It is sure to be bigger than the nearest pool back home - after all it's billed as "the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean"!With a sloped entry, the lagoon is just as easy for the young and old to enter as it is for them to get into the water that fills the ocean. The lagoon has islands and coves and even a swim-up bar (payment for drinks is handled just as it is on the ship).
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9. Satisfy Your Hunger and Thirst
At some point, the sun and water will take its toll on your tummy making you crave something to eat or drink. There are Snack Shacks near both South Beach and Chill Island (plus a third location which requires paid admission to Thrill Waterpark). The snack menu includes sandwiches, salads, sides and desserts.Both the Chill Grill (on Chill Island) and Skipper's Grill (at Harbor Beach) offer BBQ, tacos (with a topping bar), salads and desserts. Just like in the Windjammer Cafe Buffet, drinks and ice are available to help digest your meal. You'll find lots of covered picnic tables at both grills where you can sit down ... and easily go back for seconds. (Or, wait to get your soft serve ice cream until finishing your main course!)
- Watch the time so that you don't miss out on snacks or lunch. Our ship arrived later than scheduled, but the serving hours at the two grills (11:30 AM - 3:00 PM) and the Snack Shack (10:30 AM - 3:30 PM) were not adjusted.;
- If you have been enjoying the benefits of a drink package while on board, those same benefits are available on
CocoCay; and
Loyal to Royal - Love our Diamond Benefits! - Beverage vouchers for Crown & Anchor Society Members with a loyalty level of Diamond and above may also be redeemed on the island.
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10. Play an Island Game on Island Time
Breezy Bay at Chill Island and South Beach are your best bets for beach-style games. Create a couple of teams for a game of beach volleyball or basketball.If you'd rather a one-on-one competition, challenge a fellow cruiser to a corn hole or ping pong contest. There's even a beach-style game of sand billiards complete with balls, rails, pockets and an oversized rack!
If you are up for a personal challenge, you might even luck out with an available fitness class during your time on CocoCay!
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11. Window Shop at the Straw Market
Although window shopping may be harder done than said, don't miss the opportunity to see what you can buy for yourself or a loved one. In addition to apparel and accessories, you'll usually find local goods and souvenirs available in the Straw Market.If you think that you might find something that you can't resist, make sure that you have dollars with you. The Straw Market is the one place where your seapass card will not work! (If you forget to bring cash, or at least not enough, there's no limit to the number of times that you can return to the ship and leave again ... as long as it is still docked at CocoCay!)
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12. Lie on a Hammock
While you are on vacation, there can never be enough time for rest and relaxation. For something a little different than a lounge chair on the beach, take a nap on one of the hammocks hidden among the tropical plants.13. Snap some Shots
Before you head back to the cruise ship, make sure you have some photos from your time on the island! Whether your prefer selfies, scenery or action, there's plenty of shots that will help you remember your "Perfect Day at CocoCay"!14. Stay on the Less Crowded Cruise Ship
If none of the 13 items above sound appealing, there's always the option to stay on your cruise ship. No matter which ship you are sailing on, it is sure to be much less crowded than on any sea day during the entire duration of your cruise! Although you miss out on the island, YOUR perfect day definition may be to dine at a less crowded Johnny Rockets (regular charges apply even on port days) or soak in a hot tub that is not at full capacity! (Don't forget that due to local regulations, some of the ship's amenities may not be open while at port.)Have an Urge for a More Upscale Perfect Day?
If you are wanting something a little different and don't mind spending some additional vacation dollars, there are plenty of options:- Jet ski, kayak or relax on a mat in the Caribbean waters;
- Rise up into the sky aboard Up, Up and Away;
- Fly across the island by Zip Line;
- Fulfill your desire for adventure at Thrill Waterpark;
Daredevil's Tower inside Thrill Waterpark - Relax in comfort in a daybed or beach bungalow; or
Splurge on a Beach Bungalow with Friends or Family - Laze in luxury on an overwater hammock with more amenities, personalized service and upscale dining choices inside Coco Beach Club where you even have the option of purchasing a floating cabana.
As you can see, no matter if you want to splurge or prefer to stick to the complimentary activities ashore, you have a number of options to create YOUR Perfect Day at CocoCay!
Cruising During a Pandemic
You've probably seen and heard plenty of reports about the impact that the pandemic has had on cruising. Have you wondered what life aboard a cruise ship for the majority of cruisers is like? Make sure to see "Tales of the 99% Sailing on Symphony of the Seas: At Seas and Port Days" to read about our experience.The Private Islands of the Cruise Lines
Which cruise line private island have you been most impressed with, and why did you like it more than others?|
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