Chill Island and South Beach
June 29, 2025
Coco Cay, Bahamas
Hello CoCo Cay... We LOVE YOU!
Morning
We woke up around 7AM and the Jewel of the Seas had already docked at Coco Cay next to the Oasis of the Seas. We grabbed some breakfast at Café Latitudes and once again it was quick and delicious but the coffee was lacking to say the very least. We got off the ship shortly after 8AM and there were already crowds walking down the pier to the excitement that is Coco Cay.
TIP- Coco Cay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas and offers an entire island of beaches, restaurants, water activities and even a water park offering the tallest waterslide in North America. The island can house 2 ships at one time and up to 12K passengers and crew. The island also houses workers year round in an apartment complex and crew members from every ship will get off the ship to work the bars and restaurants of the island. For the most part, everything is included on the island; such as beach chairs, umbrellas, food and even your Ultimate Beverage Package. The waterpark, Coco Beach (upscale beach club), cabanas at various locations and Hideaway Beach Club cost extra.
Hello Coco Cay... We are ready for the PERFECT DAY!
Perfect Day at CoCo Cay really is the best port for your money when sailing with Royal Caribbean! I cannot wait until RCCL has Costa Maya similarly built in 2027.
Daredevils Tower in Thrill Waterpark- The tallest waterslide in North America!
The walk from the ship to the shore is my favorite!
Chill Island is the most attended beach at Coco Cay and directly to your LEFT as your get onto the island from the pier!
Oasis Lagoon Pool in the center of Chill Island!
We visited Coco Cay for the first time in 2015 while sailing on the Serenade of the Seas but it was just a strip of land and not the exotic private oasis that it is now. And since we had been to the NEW Coco Cay before in 2024 on the Independence of the Seas we knew what to expect and decided to go a different route this trip. In 2024 we paid extra for the adults only beach Hideaway Beach but this time we wanted to explore as much of the island as we could on our own.
We started by walking all over Chill Island exploring the beach area, straw market and Snack Shack area before making our way to the Oasis Lagoon Pool- The largest fresh water pool in Caribbean. We wanted to be able to sit at the swim up bar before a lot of the crowds got off the ships and our arrival time was perfect. We got two seats at the swim up bar and loved talking to the bartenders from both ships and workers who lived on the island. We stayed here until about 11:45AM and it was the perfect way to spend the morning; the drinks were flowing and the vibes were very relaxed.
Oasis and Jewel of the Seas docked in Coco Cay.
It is almost laughable how small the Jewel is compared to the Oasis!
Welcome to Chill Island.
The walk to Chill Island is SO EASY and quick... You're at the beach before you know it!
The Oasis Lagoon Pool and swim up bar... The largest fresh water pool in the Caribbean.
Cheers to two MASTER teachers!
Up, Up and Away was actually working on this day.
This is an added cost at Coco Cay and rarely goes up due to wind!
It is on my "bucket list" for Coco Cay... May in Summer 2026.
We loved Oasis Lagoon- Be sure to check it out!
Afternoon
We left the Oasis Lagoon and made our way to Breezy Bay one of the Snack Shacks. These shacks are all over the island and offer FREE food that ranges from chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and the best mozzarella sticks ever. Not to mention the star of the Snack Shack... The funnel cake! We grabbed some lunch and the decided to get into the actual ocean at Breezy Bay. TIP- This beach area was not crowded at all and we were able to get beach chairs (with umbrella) even at 12:30PM. The ocean was pretty choppy which we assumed is why it is called Breezy Bay.
Breezy Bay was legit... Check it out!
The Snack Shack menu options... We have tried them all between the 2 trips!
The mozzarella sticks and funnel cakes CANNOT BE MISSED!
The funnel cake- 5.0+
Seriously, I could eat a dozen of these!
Welcome to Breezy Bay... We loved the water!
I am in my happy place... the beach!
We then decided to take the FREE tram down to the furthest part of the island, South Beach to try out the "Ocean Bar" floating in the middle of a sand bar in the ocean. This was so cool as you had to literally swim way out into the ocean then climb up to the bar. It would only accommodate 36 people including the bar tenders and we were able to sit there for about an hour before getting off and allowing others to enjoy. We then went and swam some more in the much calmer waters of South Beach. The water was warm and just perfect for an afternoon at the beach. TIP- South Beach was VERY crowded and it was much harder to get chairs midday. The water, however, was much calmer than Breezy Bay.
Greetings from the Floating Bar... This was a cool experience!
The South Beach Sand Bars were really cool. Easy to swim out to and enjoy the Bahamian waters! Very "chill" vibe!
Time to ride the tram back to Oasis Lagoon!
We grabbed the tram back to Oasis Lagoon to try and dry off before making our way back to the ship around 3PM. We took the tram back to the entrance of the island and then walked the pier back to the Jewel of the Seas. Once onboard we exchanged our beach towels and then went back to the stateroom to shower for the rest of the day. Chris opted to take a nap and decided to read in the Safari Lounge until it was time for sail away.
Our walk back to the ship was just perfect!
Goodbye Coco Cay... We will see you in 3 days!
The Jewel of the Seas...not our favorite but not forgotten!
The walk back to the ship at Coco Cay is so cool!
Evening
We set sail back towards Ft. Lauderdale shortly after 5PM just after the massive Oasis of the Seas departed Coco Cay. I love sailing away from Coco Cay as you get to see the entire island as you depart. After we watched sail away for a while we went to Pre-Dinner Trivia and drinks in the Schooner Bar. We were able to win another trivia of "general knowledge", making our 2nd win of this cruise.
The best mail we have ever received on a cruise... Consecutive Cruisers!
I love pier watching at the end of a day in port!
Oasis of the Seas- She really is a beauty!
Oasis of the Seas is such a GORGEOUS ship!
#GOALS- I see an addition to my bucket list!
Another view of Coco Cay as we set sail to Ft. Lauderdale!
Coco Cay, Bahamas!
We had dinner reservations from our Ultimate Dining Package at Izumi Sushi and this turned out to be the biggest hit of the entire cruise (both cruises). We have been to Izumi before but this time the food (and service) were some of the best we have EVER had in 26 cruises. TIP- The Ultimate Dining Package allows you to order from the Pre-Fixe menu which allows 1 appetizer, 2 large plates and 1 dessert. However, the waiter gave us the option for 2 appetizers and 2 large plates and since the dessert were lacking, to say the least, we opted for this. Each of got 2 appetizers and 2 large plates (sushi rolls). Again, this was the absolute best sushi we have ever had and was the HIGHLIGHT of our cruise. Izumi is not to be missed.
Time for Specialty Dining #5- Izumi!
I may be hooked on this Unlimited Dining thing...
The Izumi Sushi full menu
Miso Soup- 4.0
This really hits the spot when having sushi!
Pork Gyoza Dumpling- 4.5
These were fried perfectly and full of flavor.
These were great but I preferred the dumplings!
Truffle Creamy Lobster Tempura Roll- 5.0
Easily the best sushi I have ever had!
Champagne Lobster Roll- 5.0
Wow... This was a bougie sushi roll if I have ever had one!
A free lava cake (not on the menu) from the Chef.
We were just too full for more than one bite!
After dinner we walked around the upper decks of the Jewel of the Seas enjoying the beautiful weather and the sounds of the waves and open ocean. We made our way back to the stateroom to take medication and then we went to 80s Party in the Centrum! This was SO COOL and we really enjoyed this party in the Centrum!
We loved this party in the Centrum!
We then went to the Safari Lounge for the Battle of the Sexes and the Quest Gameshow. These are 2 very popular shows on Royal Caribbean and we really enjoyed them both. We called it a night around midnight as the next day was "turn around day" for us since we would be doing the next cruise as well for our Back to Back cruise.
Check out our day in Coco Cay!
We seriously LOVE Coco Cay and this day did not disappoint. We cannot wait to come back.. in 3 short days!
Up Next... Embarkation Day #2 and "turn around day" on our Back to Back cruises!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
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