Continuing with our recent cruise vacation brings us to our first stop in the Carribean, CocoCay!
This was an island in the Bahamas that Royal Carribean Cruise Lines purchased and turned into an Island retreat getaway.
It was on par with pretty much any Carribean Island - All Inclusive resort while also having some serious theme park vibes about it.
The first thing that we saw from the ship was the Waterpark and then we were met with a large brightly colored tower slide when we first stepped foot on the island. I'm sure that is all by design. It was big and colorful and I'm guessing that it's purpose is to send the kids on board into a tizzy when they see it.
In that area of the Island there were the water slides that you can see, and also a large wave pool and zip line.
That area of the island is considered an excursion though so you have to pay extra to use it. That doesn't effect me personally because I'm passed that sort of thing in my life now, but I feel like having to pay extra for it would be a little annoying for parents.
Royal invested 250 million on the island so I'm sure that they are itching to start seeing some returns on their investment - "Up charge everything!!!!"
A major downside for travelers that is related to the purchase is that if you're not into the island or resorts in general then it will be a wasted stop for you. I'm also guessing that it will be a forced stop for people on every single RC cruise going forward. I'm hoping that that is not the case, but I'm guessing that it will be going forward.
If so, for me it will probably become a day that I just stay on the ship and enjoy the additional free space.
Even though its not really my thing though, I will admit that they did a really good job transforming the island and creating different unique spots for people to explore and enjoy.
We got off the boat early in the morning after breakfast and headed over to the Harbour Beach to find a chair.
We were pretty surprised that the location didn't fill up with people so we decided to go and check out some of the other locations.
Sandy paths through the foliage connected the different attractions.
There were white sand beaches located around the perimeter of the island, with lounge chairs and bars and games to keep people entertained. It was nice that there were enough chairs that people weren't struggling to find one, like what sometimes happens on the ship.
South Beach seemed to be the happening place that day, where most of the travelers were gathered. I think it was because the sun was strongest on that side of the island at the time.
There were a bunch of cabanas in the water over there but all were empty that day so I didn't bother to take any photos. I remember seeing online that they cost something crazy, like $1000 to rent for the day give or take a dew hundred dollars. I don't know what they come with so can't really say if the cost is justified or not. I suppose some people like the feeling of exclusivity and weathered wood under their feet opposed to sand. I get it, sand can be a real pain in the ass and who really needs to exfoliate between their toes? Seeing them all empty gave me abandonment vibes though.
Another spot on the island was the Oasis Lagoon, a large resort style swimming pool set within the palm fronds.
Thatched roof huts, bridges over lazy river waterways and swim up bars serving drinks, it was actually a really nice set up that could rival just about any all inclusive.
Its kind of nice to have the option of swimming in a pool or the ocean too.
We made our way through the little market area made up of huts selling the usual over priced touristy junk and back around to the next beach area on a different side of the island.
It was a little windy that day in the morning but once the cloud cover burned away it started to get pretty hot.
We spent a few hours on the island but headed back to the ship fairly early for lunch. There were food stations all over serving the same meal that was being served on the ship that day, but we just headed back anyway.
Our time in CocoCay wasn't really the "perfect day" for my wife and I but it was fine for one of our trip stops. All in all, I think that Cococay was a great little resort oasis and would be very enjoyable to anyone who tends to like All Inclusive resorts.
It was a beautiful setting and very well laid out with lots of space and activities to accommodate at least two ships worth of travelers. I think that two ships is the max that can be harbored there in a single day but don't quote me on that. It's not really my thing but I can totally see the appeal of the destination.
On the negative side a lot of the extra stuff meant for the kids that you think they would have access to, actually costs money so I could see that being very disappointing for parents. If you're like me and my wife and not into this type of travel destination then its also a bit disheartening that it will likely be a regular stop on every single Royal Carribean cruise in the future. There is good and bad with everything so you will need to judge it for yourself.
I think it's a nice experience nonetheless. Though I completely understand your sentiments when it comes to some of the unreasonable charges. Hope you get to cruise here in the Philippines too. 😁
I would love to check out the Philippines. Maybe one day 🤞
Haha yah that looks familiar!
I remember you saying that you went. So you know all about it too 😁
It does look lovely in a over-engineered way but the AI of it would put me off. On that though, I would probably bite someones arm off to go on that cruise and stop there :OD
I would defo be narked at having to pay my little devils into the separate area tho!
It was quite nice if you like AI resorts. It was basically the same as most in the Carribean.
Yeah all of the upcharges can get annoying these days. I don't have kids but I was annoyed on behalf of all of the parents out there. It would be hard to tell your kids no to the big colorful theme park calling to them like a beacon.
I tend not to like AI resorts as at one time they seemed quite good but I haven't been to an even half decent one in ages. Its like they skimp with everything whilst trying to look like they arent skimping and the food, dont get me started on the food!
Theres no way you could say no to the kids and that would be a hit on the wallet!
We weren't huge on the one AI that we did a while back either. I think most of that sort of thing (cruises also) have made serious cut backs since pre covid times. We tend to get bored at AIs just sitting on the beach all day everyday as well.
Yeah, me too. Soccer people I work with go to AI hotels and literally sit beside the pool so far then at the bar at night and I am like WTF!? Grey pot there and see the place you are visiting!!!
Yeah. Each to his own I guess but I definitely get bored just sitting around. I do know some people who have high stress jobs and busy seasons where they work extra long hours and through weekends for a couple of months and then go on a vacation specifically to just sit and relax and do nothing. So I guess it makes sense to them. I remember when we went to one and I was like "I can't believe that we have been here for 5 days. I don't feel like we've actually done anything" 😂
I don't have a lot of memories of that vacation 😆
Haha, and that's the thing isn't it? If you don't do anything you don't make the memories that will make it stand out. It's a valid point that if you do some crazy high stress job you might rant to kick back and do nowt but I would get bored as feck. My job isn't exactly stress free either!
What can I say but WOW!!!
Seeing the colours of the Caribbean is the perfect day, indeed.
The swimming pool brought back memories of some of the hotels that I worked at.
It must be great to look at these photos on a horrible wintery day:)
Yeah you would probably be very familiar with such places since you're from the Carribean and worked in the industry. You must have gotten to see such sights everyday. Nice setting to work in. 👌
It seems like a pretty big island if it can accommodate passengers from at least 2 cruise ships. I imagine the activities are pretty much the same as on board but on a larger scale where they can charge you an arm and an leg for.
Did you have to pay for this as well or was that free?
Yeah the island was quite large so there was a ton of space and tons of chairs in different areas. You didn't have to pay for the food, it was essentially the same buffet as the ship. That would be ridiculous though if they did charge people. No one would eat on the island, everyone would just go back to the ship.
Not being a beach person, I wouldn't be interested. However, most people like a "free" day at the beach. Yes, there are extra cost things (too highly priced in my thinking), but you don't have to pay for it if you just want a beach day.
I'm not a beach person either really and agree that you don't need to spend extra money there. We didn't. It's mainly the people with kids I think.
give us ya money, cry the greedy corporate board, tbh i think I would have stayed on board
Yeah the extra space is nice. We often stay on board when it's a stop that we have been to already.
👍
beautiful pics and what a big cruise ship :)
Yeah the Royal Carribean ships tend to be very big. I think their new one "Icon of the Seas" is currently the largest in the world.
@leaky20 No doubt many of us would like to be there and especially seeing those spectacular pictures you took. The colouring is very appealing.
It was a nice spot for a man made resort😁
I wish I'm at this wonderful place and not at my home sick your photos male me dream of such a wonderful place 💓💓
I wish that I was there right now too haha 😄 I could use another vacation already. I'll have to wait a year though
Yeehaw! This blog post is a ride worth taking, partner!
Lol thanks
Ride on, partner! Your words shine brighter than a new sheriff's badge in these parts. Keep that confidence high and that spirit strong!
As it says perfect day, it took me to the past when I was young, the sea, the blue color, the nature, so beautiful. 💙
It was a really beautiful spot in places.
Royal did a great job on this Island mehn
It looks so beautiful
They definitely put a lot of work and money into transforming it.
Beautiful photos of the island.
Thanks!
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