I read a list of things cruise ship passengers brought with them to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, and I think many of these are genius.

I've visited Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas over 20 times, and I thought I knew it all until I ran across this list.

Members of the Facebook group "Coco Cay - The Perfect Day" shared what they've brought to CocoCay to enhance their day. While the usual things were there, a few stood out as things I had never considered bringing.

Royal Caribbean includes a lot in your visit to their island, including beach chairs, umbrellas, food, and access to different beaches. 

While I think you could have a fun time with just you and your towel on the island, I'm a firm believer there's always room for improvement.  And I think some cruisers figured out exactly how to maximize their visit with these items.

Here are 10 unique things to bring to Perfect Day at CocoCay that you might want to pack too.

Baby powder

I had no idea baby powder was useful beyond prevent chaffing, but it's useful at the beach too.

Evidently, you can use it to remove sand from your feet quickly and easily, and it's a great tip for young kids.

After you're done in the ocean for the day and your feet are full of sand, powder the sticky not quite dry areas. 

This helps clothes go back on smoothly so kids can get dressed.

You can buy a bottle for less than $5 on Amazon, making it a super cheap tip.

Spray fan

Most months of the year, you can expect it to be hot and humid when you visit CocoCay, and anything you can do to cool down helps.

A lot of cruisers recommending packing a spray fan to cool down.  Unlike a regular fan, this mists you too.

This fan can be quite helpful when you're going between the ship and shore, or walking around the island.  If there's no breeze, this fan feels amazing.

Plus, you can use it on the ship too when it gets hot out on the pool deck.  Or during shore excursions when it always seems to feel like the surface of the sun.

You can pick one up from Amazon for about $15 and it's something you can bring on every cruise.

Collapsible wagon

If my kids were younger and I was traveling with another family, I think a collapsible folding wagon would be a really smart buy.

As long as you can pack it easily, you could bring a fold up wagon with you to make getting all your stuff from the ship to beach without feeling like a pack mule.

When you have kids, it can feel like you're moving the Army of the Potomac to do just about anything.  Having all the things you definitely need and might need add up quickly, so this hack is a smart way to get around lugging it all yourself.

If you're flying to your cruise, I'd probably skip this one because of the heft and bulk of the wagon and having to check it with the airline.

Inflatable floats

Floaties aren't just for kids.

If you'll spend a lot of time in the water, why not enjoy in style? 

Instead of paying Royal Caribbean to rent a mat, you can bring inflatable mesh floats that you can hang onto or sit in and enjoy the water.

I've found these are very useful in the ocean when you want to hang there and be submerged without kneeling.

Plus, they work at any beach.  So you could use it at other places your cruise visits.

You can get a four pack for just about $20, and that means everyone in your family has one to use.  

Towel clips

Another cheap, but smart buy are towel clips to bring with you.

The idea is you use them to keep your towel in place and not blowing around when the wind kicks up. So when you get up from your chair, your towel remains exactly where it should be.

You can use them not only on your pool deck loungers, but any of the chairs around CocoCay.

It's probably a good idea to get two clips per person at the very least, and you'll be set. 

Sunscreen lip balm

You know to bring sunscreen, but did you know your lips can get sunburned, chapped, or both?

I'll admit it's not something I really think about, but it's a legit issue that could dampen your day to deal with.

Bringing a pack of lip balm that has SPF protection means you won't ruin your beach or pool day.

Full-face snorkel mask

I'm not a snorkel person, but I know so many people swear by full-face snorkels to make it so much easier.

Once again, you could rent snorkel gear from Royal Caribbean, but bringing your own means you can re-use it on future trips and that will save you money.

The advantage of a full-face mask is it's supposed to make set up a heck of a lot easier for novices. There's no breathing tubes or goggles to mess with and try to align.

Heck, some even come with a GoPro attachment so you can show your friends, family, and neighbor Kenny all of your underwater adventures.

Liquid band-aids

Instead of packing regular band-aids, it's a good idea to go with liquid bandages because of the nature of a cruise vacation.

It's easy to get blisters while on vacation from all the extra walking you'll do on the ship and on shore. Plus, if you have new shoes that you bought for the trip, it's even more likely.

The benefit of liquid ones is standard band-aids fall off in the water, and then you have the sting of salt water hitting the wound. Not to mention no one likes to see band-aids 

Liquid bandages do not actually adhere to the skin like traditional ones. Instead, the glue-like substance forms a tough protective barrier to seal out water, dirt, and germs. 

Privacy pouch with lock

When it comes to what to do with your personal belongings, I always just hid my things somewhere around my chair.  But there is a better way.

While I don't think petty theft is a problem at CocoCay, better safe than sorry. To that point, you could get a bag that attaches to your chair so it won't go anywhere.

You'll want a small bag that's water resistant and has a lock so you can put your phone, cash, SeaPass card, and anything else valuable safely away.

Water shoes

While the sand and surf at Perfect Day are quite pristine, there are rocks and things in the water that you'd want to wear water shoes to avoid a squishy or pointy step.

This is especially true at Chill Island, where there's more rocks and crevices. This natural growth is great for snorkeling, but walking in the water could be interesting.

Plus, the sand and walkways can get very hot anywhere on the island during the summer months.  

Don't worry, flip-flops will work just fine if you don't have water shoes. They just tend to be more secure and slip-proof. 

You might have a few ideas for what makes the best beach day food, but it would change after you try Royal Caribbean's mozzarella sticks.

Specifically, the mozzarella sticks at Perfect Day at CocoCay stand out as being the perfect batch.  

It's strange to think that this particular snack could be so darn good, but they really are.  And it's even more surprising because the mozzarella sticks served on Royal Caribbean ships aren't nearly as good.

When Royal Caribbean first revamped its private island with new amenities, it totally re-thought the private island beach lunch. Traditionally it had just been burgers and hot dogs, but the new offering includes so much more.

One thing that quickly stood out were the outstanding food choices at the Snack Shack.  There are now four locations around the island:

• Breezy Bay
• Thrill Waterpark
• Hideaway Beach
• South Beach

In terms of cruise ship private island food, I think CocoCay's mozzarella sticks are a prime example of how good Royal Caribbean's island food game has become. Best of all, it's totally free and you can order as many as you want!

If you haven't tried them yet, they're a must-eat on the island.

What makes Royal Caribbean's mozzarella sticks the best?

At first I thought perhaps I alone preferred the mozzarella sticks from the Snack Shack, but it turns out a lot of other people really love them too.

Adriana Scates wrote on Facebook her idea of a great day on the island is to, "get drinks, lay in the sun on South Beach and eat your weight in mozzarella sticks."

The secret ingredient has to be the breading they use for them.

I'm not sure exactly what's so different about the breading for the mozzarella sticks at Snack Shack versus the ones used on the ship, but they've figured it out.

Served with marinara sauce to dip them in, it's the perfect quick snack.  It also helps when you order them they usually come out piping hot.

You could also use the mozzarella sticks as the building blocks to customizing an even better sandwich.

Not listed on the menu, but you can order the "secret sandwich" from the Snack Shack.

Crew members learned this dark art from the launch of the restaurant, and it combines the mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, and the chicken sandwich to create my go-to meal any time I visit.

It's essentially a chicken parmigiana sandwich, but instead of the cheese being melted on the chicken, you get the crunch of the mozzarella sticks.

On a recent visit to the Coco Beach Club, which has its own excellent food options, I walked out of the club and over the Breezy Bay to get a few mozzarella sticks because they're that good.

The next time you're at Perfect Day at CocoCay, order them with your meal. Not only are they included with your cruise fare, but it's a fantastic comfort snack.

More CocoCay food you won't regret trying

While mozzarella sticks are wonderful, there's a lot of other food you ought to try while visiting.

At either Chill Grill or Skipper's Grill, I'm a sucker for the taco bar because you can customize it just the way you want.

I prefer to grab a plate and do my best attempt at creating a Chipotle-style bowl with the meat, toppings, and plenty of guacamole.

If you happen to buy admission into the adults-only area, the Island Guava Barbeque Chicken Pizza is a must-order every time. 

I think the combination of sweet BBQ sauce with the salty cheese really blends well.

My kids would tell you to try the soft serve ice cream just because who doesn't like ice cream on a hot day?

They now always opt to make an ice cream sandwich instead of getting it in a cone.

Perhaps the top food at CocoCay is the entire menu at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, which has filet mignon and lobster on the menu.

I really think the filet here is just as good, if not better, than the filet served onboard the ship.

I've visited Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay dozens of times since the island was revamped, and I've been to the Coco Beach Club a few times.

On my most recent visit, I booked a cabana instead of just buying passes because of a lucrative Black Friday sale that cut the price down considerably compared to what it usually sells for.

I booked the Coco Beach Club Beach Cabana to use for the entire day our ship was docked at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.

The cost of one of these cabanas is usually priced over $3,000 for the day, as demand for cabanas has skyrocketed in recent years. But I was able to get it for just $1,448.99.

I picked the beach cabana instead of the overwater cabanas because they are cheaper and I assumed it might not be hot enough in February to spend time in the ocean.  The beach cabana accommodates up to 8 people, and includes passes for each person into the Coco Beach Club.

When my family and friends arrived at Coco Beach Club, check-in for the cabana was easy

Once you walk down the pier, Royal Caribbean offers trams around its island at no cost. This makes getting to the beach club much faster and easier.

The short two minute ride stops near the club's entrance, where you are greeted by the club staff at the entrance.

In order to gain access to the Coco Beach Club, you need a day pass.  Since a cabana rental includes admission, I mentioned we booked a cabana and they welcomed us with a cooling towel and complimentary welcome drink.

At this point a cabana attendant is assigned to you, and escorts you to the cabana.

My cabana was steps from the infinity pool, restaurant, and bathrooms

We were assigned cabana 23, which is the closest one to the restaurant and infinity pool.  The convenient location was fantastic, and I'll request this one every time in the future because of how easy it was to get back and forth.

One advantage of the Beach Cabanas over the over the Overwater Cabanas is how much less walking is involved when leaving the cabana.

Since we preferred the infinity pool over the ocean anyway, and the ocean temperatures were a bit too chilly for our comfort, being mere steps away was lovely.

The pool is heated, so it's the perfect alternative.

Plus, our cabana is the closest one to the main set of rest rooms.

Each cabana has many amenities

I was impressed how much seating this cabana included, beyond of course the array of wonderful things that come with a rental.

There was a large couch inside the cabana, along with two chairs facing the couch.  Then there were four loungers facing the ocean, along with two beach loungers outside the cabana.  

And there's even a hammock that you can use too.

We had four adults and four kids, and there was enough seating for everyone and so many of the choices were quite comfortable.

Cabana rentals include towels for your use, so there was a pile of them available and our cabana attendant would replenish them at any point.

There was also a cooler filled with complimentary bottled water we could use. There's also a mini-fridge full of beers, soft drinks and soft drinks that cost extra (unless you have a drink package).

In the middle of the cabana is a table that doubles as a safe where we could store our wallets, phones, and other valuables. There's more storage space in the closet, which is includes complimentary snorkels to use.

Our cabana attendant was superb

One of my favorite perks of any cabana rental is the attendant that brings you anything you may need.

The cabana attendant can bring more towels and water, as well as deliver food, snacks, and cocktails to the cabana.

After being escorted to the cabana, she explained how everything in the cabana works, patiently answered any questions we had, and offered to bring us anything else we needed.

The only complaint I had was cabana attendants require everyone wear a bracelet during your stay, which is impossible to remove until you get back to the ship and track down scissors. I'd prefer not to wear it until I left my cabana.

She stopped by our cabana periodically to check if we needed anything, but there was an intercom we could use if we needed her attention quicker.

I was able to have lunch delivered to our cabana

The Coco Beach Club food is legendary for how good it is, and it's so convenient having food brought when you have kids and they prefer to take a few bites and then go back to playing.

It was so nice having mozzarella sticks and other snacks delivered when we needed it, as well as having lunch brought to our cabana.

There's a table and chairs you, as well as the cabana table/safe where you can have lunch delivered as part of the service.

The lunch menu is the same as what they serve in the restaurant, which includes filet mignon, lobster, and more.

I spent about more time in the cabana than I expected

I brought my laptop with me off the ship and started off my day working from the comfort of the cabana, which is the best kind of office.

Even after I finished my work, it was nice to play music through the cabana's Bluetooth speaker and hang out with our friends and otherwise relax.

While visiting CocoCay in February meant the ocean water was too chilly for my preference, the benefit was it was quite comfortable to simply be outside. I enjoyed lounging in the chairs, and my wife spent most of the afternoon in the hammock reading her book.

I still prefer the Hideout Cabanas, but with kids this is a great option

My favorite cabanas on CocoCay remain the Hideout Cabanas that are inside the adults-only area because they have their own plunge pool to enjoy.

Since we travel with kids, getting into Hideaway Beach isn't an option.  Luckily, kids are welcome inside the Coco Beach Club.

Compared to the Overwater Cabanas, there's no denying how idyllic those look.  I know our staff loves them because it situates you right on the ocean with amazing views.

The advantage the Beach Cabana has is it's closer to all the facilities, and no less worry about someone going in the ocean accidentally.

Cabana life is wonderful, but I'd only book it again for the right price

The Beach Cabana rental was a great choice for our group as a way to enjoy not only the Coco Beach Club, but fun day together.

Admittedly, the price of this cabana is usually too much to justify. I wouldn't pay $3,000 or more for this cabana.  But with the right sale price, I think it's well worth it for families.  

Considering it can handle up to 8 people, you could easily invite friends and help split the cost.

The convenience of having food and drinks delivered while providing a base for the kids to come and go easily is lovely.  Plus, having the shade it provides is a welcome refuge.

The next time I get a push notification from the Royal Caribbean app of a new sale, I'll definitely check the price of a cabana to see if it's been discounted so we can come back again.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is known for its crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect destination for beach and water activities. 

Among the most popular on the island is snorkeling. Whether you're a skilled snorkeler or trying it for the first time, CocoCay's calm waters are perfect for exploring the underwater world. 

As one of the most common activities, it's not unusual to find fellow cruisers posting advice online, so future guests can learn from their experiences. 

Reddit user greenbananas1200 did just that, sharing invaluable snorkeling tips to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

They begin the post by saying, "We went to cococay yesterday and went snorkeling! I did a lot of research before to be prepared and wanted to share some advice we learned."

If you're planning to snorkel at Perfect Day at CocoCay, taking a few tips from seasoned snorkelers can help you make the most of your adventure, and greenbananas1200's post is filled with helpful advice!

Bring your own equipment 

Purchasing your own snorkel gear is more cost-effective in the long run. 

"The snorkel-at-your-leisure excursion is essentially just the equipment rental. We bought snorkel gear at home and brought it (only the mask because we couldn't fit the flippers in our carry-ons). It is worthwhile - I paid only $30 CAD for my set, while rentals were around $40 USD," says greenbananas1200. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "CocoCay All-Day Snorkeling at Your Leisure" excursion costs $39.58 for an upcoming cruise on Icon of the Seas, with an onboard price of $53.90. 

As greenbananas1200 explained, the excursion isn't an actual tour. Rather, it's just rental equipment for the day. In other words, you won't be guided through the Bahamian waters by an expert! 

Though you could pay $40 for the snorkel gear, it's easy to find equipment on Amazon for less. Plus, you can use it throughout your cruise. 

So, for instance, if you're in CocoCay one day and Nassau the next, you can easily take a cab to a local beach and snorkel without needing to rent more gear or purchase an excursion. You can even store it in your garage for your next tropical getaway. 

ZEEPORTE had an affordable equipment set for just $38.99 that includes a snorkel mask, fins, silicon breathing tube with a dry snorkel top, and a mesh carry bag, making it easy to get your gear from your cruise ship cabin to the beach. 

It also comes in various colors, including lavender, dark blue, grey, red, and yellow. 

Please note that we have linked an Amazon item above, which contains an affiliate link. The affiliate link does not cost you anything extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Wake up early

"We were in line to be the first ones off the ship. I would HIGHLY recommend [it]!" stated greenbananas1200, "There are some mixed reviews on the snorkelling at cococay so I was expecting to only see some tan-coloured fish."

However, because they started their day bright and early, they experienced snorkeling at its best. 

greenbananas1200 continues, "Instead we saw many interesting fish (including one with a long spike on its nose), a small stingray, a large ~5ft spotted eagle ray, a ~3ft fish/shark-looking thing. We saw way more in...cococay than the 2-stop snorkel excursion in Nassau that we paid $90 USD pp for."

CocoCay offers plenty of other activities to enjoy the island's beauty even if you aren't snorkeling, and getting off the ship early is one of the best ways to maximize your time ashore. 

For example, by mid-afternoon, many complimentary chairs and loungers on the beach will have been taken, and the island can feel a bit more crowded. By arriving early, you can snag your ideal spot and relax in peace. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

Claim a locker

While the ship is never far, you want to take certain essentials ashore, including medication, sunscreen, and flip-flops. However, you may not want to lug everything around all day. Enter CocoCay's complimentary lockers. 

"When you get on cococay, claim a locker," advises greenbananas1200, "They are free but first-come-first-served so get one first that you can use throughout the day to store your gear." 

The lockers are scattered throughout the island and won't cost you anything. To use a locker, you will set a pin that will allow you to open and close it as many times as you need throughout the day. They do fill up early, so don't wait to claim one! 

Snorkel at Chill Island

Perfect Day at CocoCay offers a variety of beaches, including the adults-only Hideaway Beach and the family-friendly South Beach. 

If you're unsure which one to choose, greenbananas1200 suggests heading to Chill Island: "We saw the cool larger animals under the floating platforms/rafts (there are 3-4 of them), so I would recommend looking near those. But be careful, it was actually really scary!"

Chill Island is easy to find. After disembarking the ship and walking onto the island, head straight until you see Captain Jack's. Then, take a left and continue over the bridge. 

Not only is Chill Island great for snorkeling but it's also conveniently located near the Chill Grill, so you won't have to venture far for lunch. It's also where you will find the CocoCay Island Market, perfect for stocking up on last-minute souvenirs. 

I really like the food you can find around Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, and there's a clever hack I've begun to embrace.

There are a few different spots around Perfect Day at CocoCay where you can get lunch or just a snack, and it goes well beyond just burgers and hot dogs.

As part of the major makeover the island got when Royal Caribbean poured $250 million into it, they also increased their food game substantially.

Almost immediately, guests started coming up with fun ways to make the food even better, including at the ice cream station.

Once I saw a few people doing this hack, I had to try it out myself.

The Ice Cream Sandwich Hack: How to DIY

At either Skipper's Grill or Chill Grill, there's a soft service ice cream machine. Crew members will serve you as much of it as you like.

There's no cost to the ice cream or anything else in this hack, so let the kids go at it!

It's similar to what you'll find on your cruise ship near the pool, and most people get their ice cream in a cone by default.

However, the hack here is to stop by the dessert station first.

Grab two chocolate chip cookies and then go to the ice cream station and ask them to dispense the ice cream directly onto the cookie.

Put the second cookie on top, and you have your own ice cream sandwich!

It tastes as good as it looks, and I like that the ice cream helps soften up the cookie a bit.

This is a fun and customizable treat, and it's the perfect way to cool down in the Bahamian heat.

Admittedly, it gets messy quickly, especially because the crew member wasn't holding back with the amount of ice cream she served.

While it may not top a Cookiewich (because it's not totally frozen to begin with), it's the next best thing.

You can also re-create this hack back on the cruise ship in the Main Dining Room.

The kids menu has ice cream and chocolate chip cookies as dessert options each night that can be ordered.

A variation on this is to get the ice cream dispensed onto a plate, and then use the cookies to either scoop it up or spoon smaller amounts of ice cream onto the cookie to keep it manageable.

Another idea is to forgo the cookie all together and grab a water cup and have the ice cream poured directly into the cup.  No cone or mess, and you can travel more easily with it.

More sweet treats available at CocoCay

If ice cream isn't your thing, you'll find other fun desserts around CocoCay.

As previously mentioned, there are a few different restaurants included in your cruise fare around the island.

Both Chill Grill Skipper’s Grill have cookies, brownies, and fruit too.  

A real hidden gem among the desserts is at the Snack Shack.

While there's no ice cream at the Snack Shack, they do have funnel cake and it smells as good as it tastes.

Funnel cake is served hot, and it's an ooey gooey mess but so good.

If you happen to buy admission to the Coco Beach Club, I think their rum cake is heavenly.

You'll definitely smell the rum before you taste it, but it's about the best rum cake I've had.

There's also gelato and couple of cakes to sample here too.

More ice cream cruise hacks

This got me thinking about other ways to make the complimentary soft serve work better.

Most ships have an ice cream machine on the pool deck, usually just outside the Windjammer buffet.

If you have a beverage package, bring your Coca-Cola Freestyle cup that comes with your drink package purchase to the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, or anywhere else they serve ice cream.

Order a scoop of vanilla ice cream to put into your cup to create an ice cream float. This works great with Fanta Orange or Coca-Cola.

Another cruiser told me they like to take a scoop of ice cream and add it to their coffee from the Windjammer.

If you want to spice it up, try to make your own version of Affogato, which is an Italian dessert coffee.

You'll need to combine espresso, ice cream, and a shot of liqueur. If you have a drink package, this should be something you can order in the Windjammer and then grab the ice cream too.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas is well-known for offering cruise ship passengers a great time, so should you pay extra for its exclusive beach club?

Perfect Day at CocoCay is divided up into different areas, including the Coco Beach Club that offers an elevated beach day experience and comes with an admission cost.

I've been to the Coco Beach Club a few times over the years, but hadn't gone recently because of rising costs and other areas competing for my attention.

Royal Caribbean has done such a good job with the places around the island that have no cost, so it seemed almost unnecessary to pay for a beach club.

But when I was able to find a great deal on Coco Beach Club passes and even a cabana during a recent sale, I thought now was the right to return and see what it's like now.

The Coco Beach Club is resort life meets cruise ship fun

In describing the Coco Beach Club, think of it like a less crowded, slightly more upscale beach day.

Located between Chill Island and South Beach, Coco Beach Club is a short 10 minute walk from where your ship docks.

You can buy a day pass for every person, or rent a cabana, which comes with admission for its guests. Kids are allowed, and welcome, within the club.

The exact price of a day pass varies, but the average price without a good sale going on is $200 per person or more.  

That cost gets you into the club, lunch at its restaurant, and access to the beach or heated infinity pool.

There's also a pastry cart and coffee that's complimentary, but all your other drinks within the club will cost extra. If you have a Royal Caribbean drink package, your benefits work here too.

There are beach chairs and some chairs by the pool, and it's all first-come, first reserved.

There are a few beds near the pool, and these are the most highly coveted spots within the Coco Beach Club. Some guests will pretty much run in as soon as their ship docks to reserve one for the day.  You can expect them all to be reserved by 9am.

When you check-in, you're greeted with a cool towel and welcome drink. 

If you booked a cabana, your cabana attendant will escort you to them.  Otherwise, guests with a day pass can walk in and pick a spot.

Cabanas offer privacy and views

There are two types of cabanas inside the Coco Beach Club.

The standard beach cabanas are adjacent to the main beach, and it's a secluded area just for you to enjoy.

Each cabana has plenty of space, including a couch, four loungers, a hammock, and a few chairs too.

A cabana rental includes floating mats, snorkel gear, Bluetooth speaker, ceiling fan, and of course the cabana itself that provides shade.

Your cabana attendant will come by periodically to see if you'd like any food or drinks brought over.

The other type of cabana are the floating cabanas, which are split up into two sections.

These are some of the biggest and most expensive cabanas you can rent.

Each cabana is situated over the ocean on a floating pontoon, so it looks like something out of the Maldives or Bora Bora.

Their layout is similar to the beach cabanas, but they're bigger, have a shower, and even your own slide to go right into the ocean.

Without a doubt, the cabanas are lovely and a great place to spend your day, but they're going to be the most expensive cabanas on the island.

I've seen prices recently for a floating cabana of more than $5,000 for each one.  That's a really high price.  

A beach cabana will cost less, but it's not uncommon to see both types of cabanas well north of $3,000.

I love the seclusion and service you get with a cabana. Without a doubt, it's the most relaxing way to spend a day with someone else bringing everything you need. 

If there's one thing I don't like about the cabanas it's the lunch situation, where your cabana attendant delivers the food to your cabana.

On the surface, this is a great idea.  But I don't like the pacing of the service and more importantly, your food becomes an instant magnet for a flock of seagulls who will dive bomb your table the second you step away.

I've gotten around this issue by requesting to dine at the restaurant instead, but the staff sometimes seems resistant to the idea.

The perfect pool and beach

If Royal Caribbean got something right about the Coco Beach Club, it's how you can spend your day in the club.

The infinity pool is located behind the beach, and it's easy to hop between both.

The entire premise of this area is that you're paying for the exclusivity.  There's no crowd of people to contend with and try to find a chair.

You can easily roll in at lunch time and still find plenty of chairs around the beach. 

The pool area doesn't have much seating, and it's probably something I'd love to see them improve on.

The infinity pool is heated, and that means it's always the perfect temperature.  This is such a boon when I visited in January and February and the ocean was chilly.

I like how large the pool is, with plenty of space.  No matter which day I've been to the club, the pool never felt crowded.

Over on the beach, you'll find lots of space to spread out.

Something really neat is each beach chair has a flag you can put up to indicate you'd like to have service from a waiter.

The beach has beautiful white sand that is manicured each day, and there's enough room for leisurely walks.

Fences on both sides of the beach club ensure only beach club guests have access to it.

Come for the beach, stay for the restaurant

While the beach may be the primary selling point of paying to come into the Coco Beach Club, I think the restaurant is a close second.

Included in your fare is a restaurant (it has no name, just Coco Beach Club restaurant) where each guest can go for lunch.

You'll need to make a reservation for a table, and you can do that when you enter the club. Some people make reservations on the ship at the Shore Excursion desk, but I've never done that.

It's a sit down meal, but everyone is in their bathing suits.  Nonetheless, it's a standout meal.

There's a choice of lobster, filet mignon, salads, and more.  

I was very impressed with the food, and I really think the steak served here is better than the steak on your ship.

And yes, they'll serve you as much of the food as you like so you can get a second serving.

If there's a gripe about the food in the Coco Beach Club from guests, it's not about the food served, but rather, the food not served.

CocoCay is well-known for its great fast food choices, but you won't find all the choices of the Snack Shack inside the club, as you would at the extra cost adults-only area, Hideaway Beach.

Our cabana attendant was able to bring us mozzarella sticks, but I don't think they're available to day pass guests otherwise.  You can certainly walk out of the club and over to the Snack Shack in about 5 minutes, but it requires leaving the grounds.

My advice is make an early reservation for lunch and don't miss out on it.

Why you should pay extra to go to the Coco Beach Club

The appeal of paying for the Coco Beach Club is for you can enjoy a less crowded day with enhanced options than anywhere else around Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Kids can come too, and you're going to get significantly better food, great service, and a less crowded day overall.

It reminds me a bit of first class seating on an airplane, where the core experience is the same, but those within the club feel a little more special.

I love the heated pool and restaurant, and I'd book the day pass just for those.  Plus, the cabanas are so beautiful, especially those floating cabanas.

The real reason not to book the Coco Beach Club is the price you'll see when you go to buy a pass.

I spot checked prices for a few upcoming cruises, and it's not cheap. 

• Icon of the Seas March 2025 sailing: $206.78
• Star of the Seas November 2025 sailing: $194.68

Cabana prices start at about $3,000 for one, and while that includes admission for up to eight guests, it's still quite pricey.

You're not going to be disappointed once inside the Coco Beach Club, as it offers a very serene and relaxing day. 

There's no DJ or loud music, but everyone is there to enjoy a fun day in the sand, water, and around.

While you don't need to pay for the Coco Beach Club in order to have a really good time on Perfect Day at CocoCay, it's a lovely way to spend it too.

Ideally, you'll nab a good deal on admission like I did for my visits.  But that's not always practical.

Ultimately, I'd recommend paying to go to the Coco Beach Club if you truly value exclusivity and being somewhere uncrowded. If that describes you, then I think even the price tag can be justified.

👍Less crowds
👍Best food available on the island, rivaling specialty restaurants
👍Heated pool
👍Bragworthy cabanas
👍Great service
👍Floating mats included
👍Towels provided

👎Expensive
👎Very little seating near the pool
👎Not as many casual food choices as Hideaway Beach

A passenger injured during a jet ski excursion at Royal Caribbean's private island has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of more than $5 million. 

Jessica Haro was sailing aboard Icon of the Seas when she participated in a beginner-level jet ski excursion at Perfect Day at CocoCay on December 20, 2024, the last day of the 7-night cruise, reported Cruise Hive. 

Haro joined 12 other passengers and two guides for the excursion. However, things took a turn for the worse during the activity. 

She claimed she suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries after being hit by one of the guides at high speed. According to Haro, some injuries are permanent and require extra medical expenses. 

Because of the extent of her injuries, Haro and her attorney, Justin Shapiro of Lessfield & Partners in Miami, filed a federal lawsuit against Royal Caribbean on February 10, 2025. 

“In the course of the jet ski tour, Royal Caribbean’s tour guide, who was hired to protect Ms. Haro, suddenly and recklessly crashed his jet ski into the rear of Ms. Haro’s jet ski at a high rate of speed while trying to pass her," reads the suit.

“The tour guide ultimately drove his jet ski over the top of Ms. Haro’s jet ski, causing a violent impact with Ms. Haro’s body."

The suit further reveals that Haro didn't have much experience operating a personal watercraft. 

However, she "...decided to book the guided jet ski excursion based on [Royal Caribbean’s] effort in marketing the excursion as being ideal for novice operators and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary.”

Jet skiing is a popular activity in the Bahamas

Royal Caribbean offers jet ski tours at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Since it is a private destination, there are no third-party operators to go through. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "Wave Jet Guided Tour" is a one-hour and fifteen-minute excursion where guests can ride alone or with a passenger. 

Each Seadoo can accommodate up to two passengers with a maximum combined weight of 375 lbs. The minimum age to drive a jet ski is 16, while passengers must be at least 10 years old.

"Beginners welcome - experienced guides will provide instructions and safety briefs to prepare you and your driver for the action," reads the tour's description. 

The excursion's details also warn guests not to consume alcohol before the tour, and passengers "with cardiac conditions, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, other heart or respiratory conditions, or any other medical condition must take particular caution when selecting an activity with snorkeling/swimming elements since such water activities could be subject to adverse sea conditions such as high winds, waves, and sea current."

It's not recommended for pregnant guests, either. 

All passengers who willingly decide to book and participate in Royal Caribbean's jet ski excursion must wear life jackets and complete liability waivers releasing the company and its employees from actions “arising from any accident [or] injury” concerning the “rental, participation, use, or operation of” a jet ski."

Not the first jet ski incident at CocoCay

Years before CocoCay became Perfect Day at CocoCay, a passenger sailing on the now-scrapped Monarch of the Seas was also injured while jet skiing at the private island. 

In 2013, claimant Linda Arnold filed a suit and a complaint for damages, alleging that Royal Caribbean was liable for the injuries she suffered during a jet-ski collision while visiting the island in 2011. 

Arnold and her boyfriend, Glynn Daniels, began to slow down on their jet ski after catching up to the ski ahead of theirs. However, Arnold and Daneisl were struck by a jet ski operated by another passenger, and Arnold suffered injuries as a result of the accident. 

Royal Caribbean sought to limit its liability due to the liability waiver; however, a United States District judge ruled the waiver was void due to provisions that limited liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.

Royal Caribbean named its private island in The Bahamas "perfect", and the moniker certainly holds up if you've been there to experience it.

Ever since Perfect Day at CocoCay opened in 2019, it's been a revelation as to what a private cruise line beach day can be because of all the options offered.

Royal Caribbean opened Perfect Day at CocoCay in phases, going back to 2018 when construction on some of the first areas to be completed began allowing guests in.

One of those areas was the Oasis Lagoon, and it's since become my go-to spot, every time we visit CocoCay.

At its opening, Oasis Lagoon was the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. It covers 33,175 square feet, which makes it enormous.

Whether or not it still holds that title, it's exactly what I want from my private island day.

While I think most people on a cruise prefer the beach, I like a pool day better. I don't have to worry where I walk, there are no creatures lurking, and the water is always refreshing.

Royal Caribbean didn't just build a giant pool, they added the best swim-up bar I had ever been to, complete with seats on both sides.  

Guests can swim up and sit at the bar, or opt to go to the "dry side" and enjoy drinks without being in the water.

There's no cost to access Oasis Lagoon or any of the chairs and umbrellas nearby.

In 2023, Royal Caribbean shared the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon is one of the highest rated attractions on the island.

There are also small islands throughout Oasis Lagoon for you to sit at as well, with plants and trees that provide just the right amount of shade.

For years I would immediately go to Oasis Lagoon first on almost every visit because it offered exactly what I wanted from my day. Sometimes we'd venture elsewhere and book a spot at the Coco Beach Club or one of the beaches.  But I always preferred going to Oasis Lagoon.

The one problem I had with Oasis Lagoon was it tended to attract the party crowd because of the DJ that was originally placed near the swim-up bar.

I don't mind a party vibe to my pool day, but it evolved over the years and became more raucous, especially when there were 20 and 30 year olds hanging there.

When it got loud, I either enjoyed it, or moved to a different end of the pool.

A big shift in the dynamic of Oasis Lagoon occurred in 2024 when Royal Caribbean opened its adults-only area, Hideaway Beach.

An even bigger swim-up bar and giant pool was added to this area, and with it, went the DJ.

Royal Caribbean purposefully brought over that party vibe that had grown at Oasis Lagoon to Hideaway.

In their research to create the ultimate day for adults, feedback indicated guests want a drink in their hand with music to enjoy. 

Since the opening of Hideaway Beach, the DJ has been removed from Oasis Lagoon and replaced with a programmed musical setlist.

The result has been the energy at Oasis Lagoon has been more subdued than pre-2024 levels, and I think it's made it better.

Without the DJ to raise the volume, I think the pool has remained fun and enjoyable without feeling like a Vegas pool party.

I'm sure everyone has their own feelings on what is the right level of music, energy, and partying for a pool.  But I think Royal Caribbean has found a new normal for Oasis Lagoon that really meshes well without being overbearing.

To be fair, Hideaway Beach's pool is heated, whereas Oasis Lagoon's pool is heated by the sun and nothing else.  It can be downright frigid in Oasis Lagoon at times.

While Hideaway Beach is newer, flashier, and has limited access, I think Oasis Lagoon is a fun spot to head to, and considering it's included in your cruise fare, it's hard to pass up that value.

My favorite Oasis Lagoon tips and tricks

While enjoying Oasis Lagoon, here are a few ideas to maximize your day.

If you bought a Royal Caribbean drink package, you can enjoy drinks at the pool too.  There's no additional charge, and that's a great way to get your value back from a drink package.

Likewise, if you are a Diamond member or higher in Crown and Anchor Society, the daily drink vouchers work here too.  

And no, you do not need to bring the soda cups with you off your ship to use them at Oasis Lagoon (or anywhere at CocoCay).

Just like at a bar on the ship, you just need to let the crew member know you want to use a drink voucher. 

When you're feeling a little hungry, the Snack Shack is just a few steps away from Oasis Lagoon.

The quickest way to get there is exit the Oasis Lagoon pool on the "right side" of the bar.  When facing the swim-up bar, there's a set of stairs out of the pool on the right side.

Walk past the smoking area and you'll see it across the tram path.  

The Snack Shack is included in your cruise fare and has some of my favorite foods, such as the mozzarella sticks, funnel cake, and the "secret sandwich" that you can only order by name.

If you need shade but don't want to get out of the water, you can find lots of under the bridge that's near the bar. 

There's always shade here, and it's close to the bar, so you don't have to venture far to get a refill.

There are islands and loungers in the water, and they are first-come, first-reserved.

My advice is get off the ship very early if you want to nab one of them.

Royal Caribbean announced a change to one of its conveniences at its private island.

When cruise ship passengers disembark a ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay, there had been an optional tram they could wait for to get a ride from the ship to the arrivals plaza.

As of October 1, 2024, Royal Caribbean has decided to eliminate that service with one exception.

"Beginning October 1, 2024, tram service at CocoCay pier will be discontinued," an official statement in the Royal Caribbean app read.

This effects just the tram service between the where the cruise ships dock and the beginning of the pier.  The trams that take guests around Perfect Day at CocoCay are still operational.

Tram service on the pier was primarily offered as a convenience. Unlike the trams that run on the island, the pier trams were limited and available to those willing to wait for a ride.

According to Royal Caribbean, the walk time down the pier, from ship to Arrivals Plaza, is approximately 6 minutes.

The exception to this change is for guests with special needs.

"Trams for guests with special needs, wheelchairs, scooters, etc. will still be available by the end of the pier (close to the Forward gangways)."

Passengers worried about eligibility for a tram ride

The top concern among cruisers has been what constitutes a special need to qualify for a tram ride.

In the Perfect Day CocoCay Information Hub Facebook group,  Jennifer Kern-Kaminsky wrote, "I just hope they will be accommodating to people with invisible disabilities."

Marcell Fitzgerald added, "Some conditions are exercise or heat induced."

Some people even went as far as to suggest bringing a doctor's note with them on the cruise to prove they qualify for it.

While Royal Caribbean did not specify the requirements for a ride, it seems unlikely proof of a disability is needed. It's probable they will rely on the honor system, and if someone needs a ride, they can simply wait for one.

Accessible options on CocoCay

Royal Caribbean says its private island is accessible.

There are complimentary beach access wheelchairs available throughout the island on a first come first served basis.

Select trams that go around the island are wheelchair accessible as well.

Wheelchair accessible areas include:

• Coco Beach Club: complimentary beach wheelchairs, pool lift, lower counter at the bar, and ramps to the dining area. Pool lifts at the freshwater pool
• Oasis Lagoon: Pool lifts the freshwater pool
• Thrill waterpark: the Wave Pool is wheelchair accessible

Getting around CocoCay

For those able to walk, the walk around CocoCay is quite manageable on foot.

Once a passengers reaches the Arrivals Plaza, they can elect to walk anywhere on the island or take a tram.

Tram service is complimentary and located in front of Thrill Waterpark.

The tram service around CocoCay runs all day with three stops: Arrivals Plaza (near Thrill Waterpark); South Beach; Coco Beach Club/Breezy Bay/Oasis Lagoon; and Chill Island. Guests can board the tram near Arrivals Plaza.

There is a separate tram service to go between the Arrivals Plaza and Hideaway Beach

There are walking paths to bring you to every area of the island. 

Estimated walking distances from the Arrivals Plaza are:

• Thrill Waterpark Less than 1 minute
• Harbor Beach about 3 minutes
• Oasis Lagoon about 5 minutes
• Chill Island about 5-10 minutes
• Breezy Bay at Chill Island about 6-8 minutes
• South Beach about 10 minutes
• Coco Beach Club about 10 minutes
• Hideaway Beach about 10 minutes

Royal Caribbean has a private island in The Bahamas that is not just a really fun place to spend the day, but I think a place a lot of people don't realize how much there is to do.

The traditional cruise line private island experience is a beach, a chair, and a BBQ lunch.  It's lovely, but a bit ho-hum and not that extraordinary.

Royal Caribbean flipped the script on that experience when it upgraded its private island, CocoCay, to offer so much more than that. Since 2019, the island has been transformed into a vacationer's paradise with beaches, pools, adults-only party, beach club, water park, and more.

On a recent cruise, I took friends that had never been and they were blown away by how much was offered at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Once they discovered all the choices, they thought it was almost overwhelming where to go and what to do.

In planning our day, it became obvious there were a few misconceptions a first time visitor had about CocoCay, and I'm betting a lot of others do too.

You have to pay to do have a good time

When I started listing the things you could do at Perfect Day at CocoCay, my friends saw dollar signs almost immediately. 

While there are indeed extra cost options, Royal Caribbean includes so much in your visit at no extra cost.

A majority of the island experience has no admission cost, and they're not lackluster options either.

Read more: 11 CocoCay secrets from Royal Caribbean's staff

Chill Island is part of the original beach that made up CocoCay prior to the island's revitalization, and it has the classic beach day experience. Expansive beach, soft sand, and plenty of ways to get in the ocean.

South Beach has a bit more of a party vibe to it than Chill Island does, and you'll find a floating bar here that you can swim to.

There are actually two other beaches you can visit: Harbor Beach and Breezy Bay.  I prefer Harbor Beach, especially if you have kids that aren't strong swimmers. It's an inlet with calm waters and it's typically less busy than other beaches, while being convenient to food.

The coup de grâce of the included choices is Oasis Lagoon, which is a giant freshwater pool right in the middle of CocoCay. 

Oasis Lagoon has no cost to enter, and it's my go-to spot whenever I visit. 

Call me crazy, but I prefer pools to beaches, and it's a beautiful place to enjoy cooling off in the water.

Speaking of Oasis Lagoon, the pool has a swim-up bar and if you have a drink package from the ship, then you can use it here too.

Another overlooked option for family fun is Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon.  Too many families focus on the extra-cost water park, but Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon have no cost and it has water slides, geysers, and plenty of places for the kids to get soaked.

It's a boon for kids under the age of 7 or 8, and can save parents so much money over the water park.

On top of all of it, the umbrellas and beach chairs are included too, so there's no cost to use them. I think that's a surprise considering any beach you visit in the Caribbean will have a cost associated with that.

The food is mid

The included food on Perfect Day at CocoCay is so much better than I ever thought a private island lunch could be.

For years, I despised the food served on cruise line private islands.  In fact, we used to get off the ship early and swim and then return early to the ship so we could eat a good lunch onboard rather than eat the beach BBQ options.

Royal Caribbean's food on CocoCay is not only better than that, it's downright really tasty.

The Snack Shack is my go-to place to bring someone who has never visited Perfect Day before because their menu is deceivingly good. 

The mozzarella sticks alone usually wins them over, but the burger, chicken sandwich, and funnel cake are all winners too.

I'm also a big fan of Chill Grille/Skipper's Grille because of the fixings bar they offer. Not only does it have toppings for your burger, but you can make your own tacos or fajitas and I could eat that every day.

All the food is included and you can enjoy as much of it as you want throughout the day. 

While you can still find hot dogs and hamburgers on CocoCay, it's far from the only choice.

You should go snorkeling

Not everything is amazing at CocoCay, such as the snorkeling options.

A lot of first time visitors are excited to be in The Bahamas and go snorkeling, but CocoCay probably isn't the island to try it.

While you can snorkel there and Royal Caribbean offers snorkel equipment rentals, I think it's really not worth trying.

The issue is the underwater life around CocoCay is rather unremarkable. Yes, there's marine life to see, but in the grand scheme of snorkeling options, I think you're better off saving the snorkeling for another port.

You can sleep in and get to the island later

To be clear, you can totally sleep in and still enjoy CocoCay later, but I think it's a mistake.

Because there's two cruise ships in port almost every day, the island will get crowded as the day progresses.  It won't be super crowded that it feels like a theme park, but finding chairs and umbrellas in convenient locations becomes a problem.

It's not unusual for there to be over 10,000 people on the island between two cruise ships, so your best bet is to get off the ship before 10am.

My advice is don't sleep in, and get off the ship early so you can get a great spot at the beach or pool.