Matt visited the brand new Coco Beach Club and recorded this week's episode live from this new exclusive area of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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Royal Caribbean opened the Coco Beach Club a few days ago, and I had the chance to try out this new exclusive beach area on the cruise line's private island.
The premise of the Coco Beach Club is simple: an area of Perfect Day at CocoCay for guests who are looking for an exclusive area that offers upgraded service and food choices.
Located between Chill Island and South Beach, Coco Beach Club is a short 10 minute walk from where your ship docks.
Admission is purchased before the visit, and loaded onto the SeaPass card, so when you arrive, the staff scans your SeaPass card for entry.
Coffee and tea is served in the morning, something unavailable elsewhere on CocoCay.
The bar at the center of the club offers plenty to drink, and like anywhere else in Perfect Day at CocoCay, the drinks cost extra (unless you have a drink package, then it is included).
Once inside, you have the choice of going to the beach, hanging by the infinity pool, or any point inbetween.
The beach here has been dredged and refined, and the result is water clarity and color that reminds me more of one of the Virgin Islands than the Bahamas.
There is complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas along the beach, with towels provided as well. In fact, the towels are not the standard blue Royal Caribbean towels, but special Coco Beach Club logoed grey and white towels.
The infinity pool is a spectacular area, where you can wade and enjoy the day. Many guests commute between the beach and pool as they see fit.
There is also complimentary beach chairs and pool loungers available, and these are first-come first-served.
There is additional seating to the left of the infinity pool on a deck area, that features rocking chairs, umbrellas and couches.
Of course, I cannot overlook the cabanas. Coco Beach Club offers two varieties of cabanas: beach cabanas and the floating cabanas.
The floating cabanas represent the most luxurious cabana offerings by Royal Caribbean to date. In true Bora Bora style, two sets of floating cabanas are found on either side of the Coco Beach area. View many more floating cabana photos.
Floating hammock, private shower, mini-bar and water slide are just some of what makes these floating oasis' stand apart.
Beach cabanas are at the back of the beach area, and feature an upgraded cabana experience compared to cabanas outside the Coco Beach Club.
While these cabanas do not have a water slide or private shower, they are still well-appointed private retreats.
So why should you pay extra to go to the Coco Beach Club instead of enjoying the ample complimentary areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, along with their more reasonably priced cabanas?
The answer is how much you value being somewhere special and exclusive.
Just like a first class seat on an airplane that gets to its final destination at the same time as economy seated passengers, the Coco Beach Club is all about offering an elevated day where you feel like you are somewhere special.
The service reminds me of a day pass resort in Cozumel, where the wait staff is continuously checking if you need something.
The cabanas are a step or two ahead of what a private cabana is all about.
And the restaurant is food worthy of being a specialty restaurant on a cruise ship. It reminded me of a blend between Coastal Kitchen and Solarium Bistro.
Appetizers are served at a buffet, while a waiter takes your entree and drink orders.
The menu offers anything but your standard beach food: filet, lobster, grouper, ceviche and baba ganoush, for example. The food is included with your admission.
Caesar Salad
Grouper
Coco Lobster sandwich
Maine Lobster
You certainly do not need to buy admission to the Coco Beach Club to have a great day at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Far from it, because Royal Caribbean crafted a private island experience that sets the new standard for what we can expect from them. The beach club is about offering something more, if you so desire.
The costs will vary from sailing to sailing. Originally a day pass cost between $50 - $90 per person, but in the days since the club opened, prices have jumped up to $199 per person (I paid $79 for my visit). The beach cabana begins at about $1000, and the floating cabana ranges between $1500-$3000. Not cheap at all, but the prices match the level of service and upgrades you would expect for that price.
Overall, I had a great day at the Coco Beach Club and thought it mixed great service with upgraded, well, everything. Having been to Perfect Day at CocoCay quite a few times last year, I felt like the Coco Beach Club experience was a measurable step above what I had been used to elsewhere on the island. Considering how impressive Perfect Day at CocoCay has been, holding the Coco Beach Club in such high esteem says something about what this venue is all about.
Does the Coco Beach Club sound like paradise to you? Let us know in the comments if you plan to buy a pass!
Royal Caribbean opened the Coco Beach Club last week, and the crown jewel of this exclusive beach area are the floating cabanas
.
Royal Caribbean offers a variety of Perfect Day at CocoCay cabanas, with the floating cabanas being their signature and top-end offering. There are a total of 20 floating cabanas guests can rent for the duration of their visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and I took a walk through of these brand newly added slices of paradise.
There are two sets of floating cabanas available to book, flanking both sides of the Coco Beach Club area.
Royal Caribbean says the floating cabanas are their attempt to bring a bit of Bora Bora to their private island.
Each floating cabana features a private slide into the ocean, overwater hammock, dining area, freshwater shower & wet bar.
Each floating cabana in Coco Beach Club can accommodate up to eight guests and feature loungers, a dining area, charging outlets, a minifridge, snorkel gear and a dedicated cabana attendant.
If these photos give you the sens of being a great way to spend a day, you would be right. Royal Caribbean designed these cabanas to be the ultimate way to relax in luxury while visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The price of a floating cabana will vary from sailing to sailing, but you should expect to pay somewhere between $1500 - $3000 per cabana.
Royal Caribbean officially opened the Coco Beach Club at its private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The exclusive beach club touts the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas, an oceanfront infinity pool, beach cabanas, a dedicated restaurant with upscale dining and an exclusive bar. Rounding out Perfect Day at CocoCay is the opening of two refreshed beaches – Breezy Bay at Chill Island and South Beach – open to all guests on the island.
The centerpiece of the Coco Beach Club is the clubhouse, which features a bar serving specialty cocktails, including the Coco Cuvee signature drink, and a 2,600-square-foot, oceanfront infinity pool with in-pool loungers, daybeds and poolside service.
The exclusive restaurant, complimentary and only for beach club guests, serves up an elevated menu that features fresh lobster, grouper and steak, plus a spread of salads, fruits and starters.
The Coco Beach Club features 20 floating cabanas. Each floating cabana features a private slide into the ocean, overwater hammock, dining area, freshwater shower, wet bar and an unbeatable ocean vista for a day of uninterrupted indulgence.
Guests can also choose from 10 beach cabanas.
All cabanas in Coco Beach Club accommodate up to eight guests and feature loungers, a dining area, charging outlets, a minifridge, snorkel gear and a dedicated cabana attendant that will tend to a guest’s every need, from beachside drink to delicious bites.
Royal Caribbean has also revamped the South Beach area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, with volleyball and beachside basketball. A third Snack Shack location has been added, along with guest-favorite floating bar.
Today is the official opening of the Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and we have the first look at what this exclusive space finally looks like.
Royal Caribbean opened up the Coco Beach Club to guests on Symphony of the Seas, and photos of the new area have started appearing on social media.
Entrance to Coco Beach Club. Photo by Igor Benkovic
The Coco Beach Club is a exclusive area of Perfect Day at CocoCay that offers an oceanfront infinity pool, upgraded cuisine and the only floating cabanas in the Bahamas. Plus, there is a complimentary restaurant at Coco Beach Club featuring lobster, snapper, and steak— plus a buffet of soups, salads, and starters.
Entry to the Coco Beach Club requires an additional cost. Guests can choose between a day pass to the Coco Beach Club, as well as the option to reserve a cabana or floating cabana.
Exact prices will vary from sailing to sailing. Check your Cruise Planner for exact options and pricing.
The freshwater infinity pool spans 2,600 square feet, and the exclusive dining venue serves up freshly made Mediterranean fare.
Photo by Linken DSouza
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by Linken DSouza
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by Igor Benkovic
Photo by Igor Benkovic
Photo by Igor Benkovic
The Coco Beach Club is home to the first and only floating cabanas in The Bahamas. It offers guests an additional level of luxury when relaxing.
Photo by Linken DSouza
Photo by Igor Benkovic
Photo by Amanda L.
Photo by Igor Benkovic
Photo by Igor Benkovic
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by Karen Morris
Photo by George Oeth
Check out even more photos of the Coco Beach Club!
Are you excited to try the Coco Beach Club? Let us know in the comments which areas look the most appealing to you!
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, and it has become an instant hit with so many guests who visit the island.
Royal Caribbean has added so many great activities and things to do, and I wanted to share some of the lesser-known tricks, secrets and need to know tips about this private destination.
Thrill Waterpark is home to a lot of fun activities that will get you pumped for a fun day, and while the water slides are what most people gravitate towards, the lesser-known but still awesome thrill is found in the wave pool.
Perfect Day at CocoCay features the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, and if you venture to the deepest part of the pool, you will find some significant waves waiting for you.
If you want to encounter roughest surf in the wave pool, be sure to go to the extreme left or right of the pool and as deep in as you can manage. The force and height of the waves is at their greatest in this location.
Families will consider a variety of fun things to do while at Perfect Day at CocoCay, but they should not overlook the two kids splash areas.
Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are very large freshwater splash and play areas between Oasis Lagoon and Thrill Waterpark. They feature water slides, geysers, drench buckets and more and it is all totally complimentary and well-worth any kids time.
Sure, Thrill Waterpark has some amazing activities, and there are lots of fun shore excursions you can try, but do not overlook spending a few hours at either Splashaway Bay or Captain Jill's to take advantage of an included and fun spot.
Photo by Twangster
Royal Caribbean completely revamped their lunch offerings at Perfect Day at CocoCay when the island got its makeover, and among the many changes is the food.
In my opinion, the best food on the island is the Crispy Chicken sandwich from the Snack Shack.
Served on a brioche bun, you will find a freshly fried chicken patty with the perfect amount of secret sauce, garnish and more. Try it and thank me later.
At 33,175 square feet, Oasis Lagoon is the largest fresh water pool in the Caribbean. When you think of a pool, you think swimming, but there are lots of fun spots to chill inside the pool too.
There are stools at the swim up bar, underwater benches surrounding the vegetation in the pool, and even in-pool lounge chairs to enjoy.
If you are looking to plus your day at Perfect Day at CocoCay and want to try something fun that will not break the bank, the Up, Up & Away helium balloon ride is a must-do.
Up, Up & Away will take you up to 450 feet up in the air to provide the highest vantage point in The Bahamas. The views at the top are incredible, and you can maneuver around the balloon to take it all in.
Be sure to bring your camera, because you will find some amazing photo opportunities.
Photo by Nick Vitani
If you scream for ice cream, then check out this awesome way to enhance this time-honored dessert.
At Chill Grill, grab a few chocolate chip cookies and then take them to the soft serve ice cream station. Put them together, and you have a DIY ice cream sandwich!
The best part about this trick is that it is totally free, so repeat it as many times as you like!
Did you know there is a straw market at Perfect Day at CocoCay? Bahamian vendors have set up a few shops near Chill Island to peruse hand crafted goods.
It is important to know that you need to bring cash with you off the ship to shop at the straw market, because the local vendors do not work for Royal Caribbean and thus, cannot accept your SeaPass card.
If you booked a shore excursion, there is no need to worry about losing shore excursion tickets. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean loads your purchases onto your SeaPass card instead.
Since you need your SeaPass card anyway to get on and off the ship, keep your SeaPass card with you at all times for identification, and for enjoying any activities you have booked.
Unlike onboard the ships, toddlers in swim diapers are allowed to use any of the pools at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Health rules are different on land versus onboard a ship, and while kids in swim diapers are restricted to designated areas of the pool deck to splash around, there are no restrictions at CocoCay, so feel free to let the kids join you for the fun in the water!
Many first time cruisers are surprised to hear that any WiFi or drink packages purchased on their cruise will also work at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
There is no additional charge to use your internet or beverage packages on the island, so it is added value for anyone visiting.
If you are looking for a mix of privacy, luxury and excellent service while at Perfect Day at CocoCay, one of Royal Caribbean's cabanas are the perfect solution.
Royal Caribbean offers guests the opportunity to rent cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay for the day during the ship's visit to the private island.
The cost of a cabana rental at Perfect Day at CocoCay includes a variety of amenities:
If you are wondering what is not included with a cabana rental, WiFi access and alcoholic beverages are extra, although if you purchased a package for either on your ship, these will be honored at no additional cost on CocoCay.
The price of a cabana at Perfect Day at CocoCay will vary from sailing to sailing, and you can get specific pricing once you have a deposit placed for your cruise. Simply log into Royal Caribbean's site and access the Cruise Planner.
Prices for the Chill Island cabanas, Thrill Waterpark cabanas and Oasis Lagoon cabanas can run anywhere between $299 and $999 for the day. Pricing is per cabana, not per person.
The Coco Beach Club cabanas are priced a bit higher, with the Coco Beach Club Cabana starting at $1049, and the Coco Beach Club Floating Cabanas at around $2500. Pricing is per cabana, not per person.
The Chill Island cabanas are a great choice for families wishing to spend a lot of time in and around the beach. Located on the north side of the Chill Island area, these cabanas are separated from the rest of Chill Island to provide a sense of exclusivity.
Chill Island cabanas can accommodate up to 8 guests and feature resort-style chaise lounges, a lush sectional sofa, complimentary towels, nearby snacks at Chill Grill, and a Cabana Concierge. Additionally, a cocktail table that houses conveniences like a personal Bluetooth speaker upon request to play your own music, a combination lock lid for storage and a USB outlet. Two floating mats and snorkeling gear available upon request.
These cabanas are conveniently located near the jet ski and snorkel tours.
Your Cabana Concierge will provide you with 8 towels and stock your cooler with 8 complimentary water bottles. Additional water bottles will be available for purchase.
If you plan to spend the day enjoying the slides and pools included at Thrill Waterpark, then the Thrill Waterpark cabanas are a great choice. These cabanas provide a private enclave during the day, just steps away from the the tallest waterslide in North America, biggest wave pool in the Caribbean and raddest obstacle course around.
There are a few different cabana locations throughout Thrill Waterpark, and Royal Caribbean will assign one to you. The three areas are:
If you prefer a specific location, speak to the shore excursion team onboard your cruise ship at least 24 hours prior to your arrival at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Thrill Waterpark cabanas can accommodate up to 6 guests and offer a lush sectional sofa and 2 resort-style chairs, as well as power outlets.
Perhaps the most lucrative perk of these cabanas is the fact it includes admission to Thrill Waterpark for up to six guests in the price. Factoring the price of a full day pass to Thrill Waterpark pass into the cost of the cabana, it provides one of the best values of any cabana on CocoCay.
Your Cabana Concierge will provide you with 8 towels and stock your cooler with 8 complimentary water bottles. Additional water bottles will be available for purchase.
The Oasis Lagoon cabanas are just steps away from the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. It is also convenient to the swim up bar and DJ music played throughout the day. In short, these are the most centrally located cabanas on the island and provide convenient access to the beaches, restaurants and Oasis Lagoon pool nearby.
Oasis Lagoon cabanas can accommodate up to 8 guests and offer a lush sectional sofa, chaise lounges, a Cabana Concierge, secure space for your belongings and more. There is also a cocktail table that doubles as a personal Bluetooth speaker upon request to play your own music, a combination lock lid for storage and a USB outlet.
Your Cabana Concierge will provide you with 8 towels and stock your cooler with 8 complimentary water bottles. Additional water bottles will be available for charge.
Located in the Coco Beach Club, the Coco Beach Club Cabanas provide a private space for your family to enjoy, along with a full day pass to the Coco Beach Club for up to eight guests.
The Coco Beach Club cabanas are larger than the cabanas outside of the Coco Beach Club, with 4 lounge chairs and a sectional sofa, unlimited bottled water, as well as your own dining area, a ceiling fan and lockable storage.
Your Cabana Concierge will provide you with eight premium, complimentary towels and stock your cooler with an unlimited supply of bottled water. You can order from the menu in your cabana upon arrival for complimentary food from the upgraded restaurant at Coco Beach Club.
If you want to enjoy a Bora Bora-style day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, then the Coco Beach Club Floating Cabanas are for you. The Floating Cabanas are good for up to 8 guests to enjoy, along with access to the Coco Beach Club.
The Floating Cabanas feature an overwater hammock, as well as private slide into the ocean.
Your Floating Cabana includes a sectional sofa, dining area, lounge chairs, lockable storage, charging outlets, eight premium towels, overwater hammock, cabana-to-sea slide, and unlimited bottled water.
The easiest and best way to reserve a cabana is to book it online via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. Cabanas can be reserved in the months leading up to a cruise, and it is not uncommon for cabanas to sell out even before the cruise begins. Another advantage of booking cabanas before the cruise is there are sometimes sales that bring the price down.
You can also opt to wait to reserve a cabana once onboard the ship at the Shore Excursion desk.
If having a cabana is important to you, definitely prebook them as early as you can to have one reserved.
A cabana at Perfect Day at CocoCay is not cheap, but they provide exactly what they advertise: a private enclave on the island for your family to enjoy, with upgraded service and options to enjoy.
The Thrill Waterpark cabanas offer the best value, since they are the only ones to include waterpark admission with the cost of the cabana. If you have four to six guests and were planning to do the cabana anyway, a cabana is arguably a good investment for the day.
The other cabanas are, as advertised, private enclaves for a splurge-worthy day at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Just like upgrading your seat on an airplane to first class, a cabana is about treating yourself to additional service and comfort.
Since cabanas can handle six to eight guests, if you can split the cost of the cabana with another family, that can greatly assist in making the value of a cabana worth it.
Royal Caribbean will begin trialing a new option for guests that purchase Thrill Waterpark admission that will get them extra time on the popular water slides before other guests.
Starting in December, a select number of sailings will be offering a Rise & Slide Pass for guests. For only $29, a number of guests who have already purchased a full day pass to Thrill Waterpark will enjoy an exclusive hour in the morning before the park officially opens. Between 8 – 9am, 200 guests will have complimentary breakfast served on the island while they enjoy their exclusive hour of thrills.
The new option is being added in response to demand by guests who want to enjoy more time going up and down the popular Perftect Day at CocoCay attractions.
The Rise & Slide Pass will be available for purchase onboard select sailings beginning December 6th, 2019 and will be available to purchase precruise within the next few months.
The Rise & Slide pass is available for guests that purchase a Full Day Thrill Waterpark pass, and cannot be purchased separately.
Guests who did not purchase the Ride & Slide pass, will not be able to access Thrill Water Park during that early hour.
December 3 Update: The Rise & Slide Pass will be available on the following sailings:
Will you purchase a Ride & Slide pass? Let us know in the comments below.
Royal Caribbean's exclusive brand of beer made its debut today at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Guests sailing on Symphony of the Seas had the opportunity to be the first to sample the, "Chilla Thrilla" beer at the cruise line's private island destination.
Photo by Elise Jackson
Photo by Vicki Sheppard
The beer is a collaboration between Royal Caribbean and Funky Buddha Brewery, which we first reported on last month.
Chilla Thrilla will be available at Perfect Day at CocoCay for guests to enjoy.
Is your Royal Caribbean cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, and you are trying to figure out what costs extra and what is included with your cruise fare?
Many families are curious what Royal Caribbean offers at no additional cost at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and what experiences or activities will cost extra. We have a look at all the complimentary offerings, and what will require you to pay extra in this video.
And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!
By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!
So check out the video and then let us know: What are you planning to do on your visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay?