Perfect Day at Coco Cay
June 2, 2024
Coco Cay- Bahamas
Morning
Our alarm went off at 7AM and we got ready and then went up to the Windjammer to an unexpected uncrowded buffet. We got up early thinking it would be very busy but this was some of the least busy it was all week. We got our made-to-order omelets and our freshly squeezed Orange Juice and waited for ship clearance to get off the ship. TIP- The Deluxe Drink Package includes unlimited freshly squeezed orange juice that can be found at the Plaza Bar in the Windjammer or in the Main Dining Room. There was a pretty bad rainstorm that came through around 8AM and that delayed the process a bit but we were off the ship and on the tram to Hideaway Beach Club by 8:30AM.
Nothing will rain on my parade... I AM SO EXCITED FOR this day!
Coco Cay before it was "Perfect Day"
Chris and I first visited this private island owned by Royal Caribbean in 2015 on the Serenade of the Seas. This was shortly after the island was acquired by Royal Caribbean and it offered barely more than a "private beach" and a few food venues. During this cruise we took a jet-ski excursion, explored the south part of the island by foot and enjoyed the beach and food items. It was a GORGEOUS beach and we enjoyed our visit to Coco Cay (Check it out HERE.) However, since Royal Caribbean has built up this island to be "Perfect Day at Coco Cay" we have been dying to get back and compare. Today was the day...
Coco Cay- 2024
This has got to be the greatest MARKETING in the cruise industry perhaps EVER. Several other cruise lines are following suit but this was the original destination PRIVATE ISLAND!
WHAT A GLOW UP- Well done RCCL.
Coco Cay food options- 2015
Coco Cay Food Options (Hideaway Hut)- 2024
It was pouring down rain but we loaded up on the tram from the pier and then to Hideaway Beach Club. TIP- Hideaway Beach Club is an ADULTS ONLY venue on Coco Cay Island. It is an additional cost of approximately $40/ person. We paid $33.99/ person with a pre-cruise sale in the Cruise Planner. Coco Cay honors the Deluxe Drink Package from the ship which is the sole reason ANYONE who plans on drinking even just 3-4 drinks at Coco Cay to get the drink package. Drinks on the island will include tax, making them about $19/ drink.
Hideaway Beach Club also offers 2 dining options that are only found within Hideaway Beach Club- Hideaway Hut and Slices of Paradise. It also offers a MASSIVE temperature controlled pool, a lagoon beach access with chairs and umbrellas as well as over 30 cabanas available for rent. TIP- These cabanas were never lower than $1,050 for our sailing but this included a private host to meet your every need.
Multiple areas of Coco Cay had towel huts but there was a dedicated one at the entrance of Hideaway Beach Club. In addition, your Sail and Sign Card had your entry ticket loaded on it. This made the entire process very smooth and pain free.
Once we arrived at Hideaway Beach Club we got scanned in and then went to the main bar to get started on our morning. It was still raining and we were soaking from the tram ride so we then just jumped in the pool and oddly enough, it was not "that cold". We stayed in the pool and the swim up bar for 3 more hours just enjoying each other and the Las Vegas pool scene vibe.
The Hideaway Beach Club Pool around 9AM.
A view of the Beach lagoon area from the Infinity Pool around 10:30AM.
Afternoon
Around 12:30PM we decided to go to the Hideaway Hut for some lunch. The Hideaway Hut offers a few special items only found here such as Coconut Shrimp and the Hideaway Chicken Sandwich. We tried both of these items plus the well known Mozzarella sticks and there were all GREAT.
The Hideaway Hut menu, kitchen and dining areas.
The Hideaway Hut Coconut Shrimp- 4.5 (Chris-4.0)
This was VERY GOOD and we both went and got a 2nd one!
The Hideaway Hut Chicken Sandwich- 3.0
I was expecting something magical and this was somewhat of a let down!
Mozzarella Sticks- 4.5
These hit the spot and we both got 2nds.
After lunch we went back to our pool chairs and tried to lay out and get some vitamin D. Chris fell asleep and I enjoyed people watching for an hour or so. We then got back into the pool and ocean for the rest of our afternoon. This party atmosphere was great but the pool and beach were VERY crowded. We learned to get better service to just stay at the swim up bar and that is what we did to close out the afternoon.
The Las Vegas Pool Party Vibe was... LOUD! I could not take a nap but this was some AWESOME people watching!
Time for some infinity pool time!
This lagoon area was so nice and actually warmer than the pool in the afternoon!
This is 41...
Time for some Vitamin D.
Around 4PM we decided to gather our items and head back towards the ship via the Hideaway Tram. This tram took us back to the base of the island where we waited for an additional tram to take us down the pier back to the ship. The entire process was about 20 minutes, so plan accordingly. (Although as a private island, they will PUSH you back to the ship and will not leave you... FYI)
A View of the Waterpark... This is the largest waterslide in the Western Hemisphere.
The 2 beauties in Coco Cay.
Allure and Independence of the Seas.
One of the only SHIP pictures I got of the Indy!
We got back on the ship shortly after 4:30PM and I went to the aft to get some pictures of the island before we watched the sail away from the Solarium hot-tubs. We loved our time at Coco Cay and I sincerely hope we can take our kids back in the near future as they would LOVE the waterpark.
A view of Chill Island from the ship.
The western area of Perfect Day at CoCo Cay.
Harbor Beach and Oasis Lagoon in the center.
THIS is a GLOW UP... Wow, well done Royal Caribbean!
Perfect Day at Coco Cay is in fact PERFECT!
The center building is the "dorms" for all of the workers for Coco Cay.
Coco Cay houses about 500 workers on the island daily. They work 3 months on and 1 month off. In addition, Coco Cay has multiple workers come from EACH ship that is ported daily. Many of the crew members on the ship will have to work at Coco Cay EVERYTIME they dock! It is kinda sad when you think about it. However, the bartenders at Hideaway Beach Club were nothing short of phenomenal! Thank you James and Andre!
This was a PERFECT DAY- Thank you Coco Cay!
Coco Cay Insider Tips
There are multiple areas of Coco Cay that are 100% free and do not require reservations. South Beach, Chill Island and so much more are all beaches that are included and have hundreds of chairs and umbrellas. These areas also have food options available (FOR FREE) and multiple bars throughout. TIP- Remember, the Deluxe Drink Package is included EVERYWHERE on the island.
Evening
After sail away we took showers and got ready for the evening aboard the Independence of the Seas. Chris took a long nap and I made my way to Schooner Bar for the Friends trivia. I was placed on a team since you cannot play as a team of one. We did VERY well and got to the tie-breaker where she desperately wanted to go down front and try to win. Unfortunately, she did not win but I made a new Cruise Friend!
After Friends Trivia it was time for dinner so I met Chris in the Main Dining Room for the Taste of Italy menu. We both liked this menu and enjoyed not just the food but the incredible service provided by Cris and Mario. We were in and out of the MDR within and HOUR yet again!
The Taste of Italy menu for the Main Dining Room.
The Lasagna- 4.5
Royal Caribbean always does this very well and this one was spot on!
Mushroom Risotto- 3.0 (Chris- 3.5)
Royal's Famous Tiramisu- 4.0 (Chris 4.5)
This is always a HIT!
After dinner we went to the Schooner Bar for the Elton John piano tribute. This was great and we loved singing along. Afterwards we went to Studio B for one of our favorite events of any cruise- The Quest. We did not play along this time but had a great time watching the craziness of all of the other guests. TIP- This is an adults only show and can get a little risque, although this one was very tame. After the show we made our way back to Vintages until closing time shortly after midnight!
Another glorious night walking around Deck 4!
We LOVED getting to return to Coco Cay for Perfect Day and the Adults Only Pool Party scene! We hope to return SOON with the kids!
Up Next... Sea Day #1! Stay Tuned!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
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Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
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