During an earnings call with investors today, Royal Caribbean's executives discussed a variety of topics related to the company's financial success in the third quarter. Part of those discussions shed some light into various plans and progress being made by the cruise line that guests may find intriguing.

Hurricane Dorian cost Royal Caribbean $27 million

Anytime a hurricane disrupts cruise itineraries, there is an impact on Royal Caribbean's bottom line, but Hurricane Dorian caused the largest impact of any hurricane in Royal Caribbean's history.

Royal Caribbean Chief Financial Officer Jason Liberty characterized Hurricane Dorian's unusual, one-time impact on Royal Caribbean's financial performance.  Three main Florida embarkation ports closed on a weekend as a precautionary measure.  These measures impacted 16 sailings and made this the most disruptive storm in the company's history. 

The financial impact was particularly large because the affected ships included the very successful Oasis-class, because Perfect Day at CocoCay was closed for 10 days, and because of the cruise line's extensive relief efforts.  The combination of guest compensation, the closure of Perfect Day at CocoCay and the relief efforts negatively impacted the third quarter by $27 million.

Guests love the upgrades and enhancements

Royal Caribbean's investments in destinations and ships continue to be a hit with guests who are booking cruises to experience them.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain spoke about this effect, "Perfect Day at CocoCay continues to amaze our Royal Caribbean International guests, and boost our bottom line. Our vessel modernization program is driving strong results. These upgrades are expensive, but our guests love them and reward us accordingly."

"Or take our investments in technology, which are beginning to bear fruit. These investments are expensive, and demanding, but they improve the experience for crew and guest alike. They make us more attractive, or more efficient. "

Perfect Day at Lelepa will built with sustainability in mind

Royal Caribbean recently announced a new Perfect Day island destination in Vanuatu, and the island will be powered by renewable sources of energy to ensure it is carbon footprint is reduced.

Mr. Fain spoke about their plans for Lelepa, "There's also one, very special aspect of this project that is also worth noting. Lelapa will be the first private cruise destination in the world that achieves carbon neutrality. All of the energy consumed will be generated from renewable sources. Accomplishing that requires both major investment and major innovation, but Perfect Day at Lelapa will be rich in both."

A look at how many guests are experiencing Perfect Day at CocoCay

You do not have to listen to earnings call with investors to know Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a giant hit with guests.

Mr. Liberty mentioned at one point in the call, more than 70% of Royal Caribbean's guests sailing on a Caribbean cruise will experience Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Plans for Perfect Day at Lelepa

Royal Caribbean International CEO and President Michael Bayley provided a few details on Perfect Day at Lelepa in Vanautu during the call.

Mr. Bayley indicated Perfect Day at Lelepa should open in late 2021 or early 2022.

He also said that guest volume for Perfect Day at Lelepa will be less than Perfect Day at CocoCay, "The volume will be less less than Perfect Day at CocoCay, which I think at its peak in a few years will get to close to 3 million people going there. The number for Vanuatu, I think, reaches close to 750-800,000 is currently in our plans."

With Royal Caribbean offering its first sailings with a late night stay to Perfect Day at CocoCay, I wanted to share some of the better photos of the cruise line's private island once the sun goes down.

Earlier this summer, Royal Caribbean announced select sailings that would stay at CocoCay until 10pm, and the initial visits look to have delivered on the promise of a great evening on top of daytime fun.

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Perfect day and night at coco cay!

A post shared by Terry Milburn (@bigdaddy_tmil) on Oct 9, 2019 at 1:31pm PDT

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Perfect Day at CocoCay ? Navigator of the Seas ? #micrucero #royalcaribbean #navigatoroftheseas #perfectdayatcococay #miami #terminala #travelplanners #expediacentrodecruceros #losexpertosencrucero #1encruceros #puertorico

A post shared by Los Expertos en Cruceros (@micrucero) on Oct 12, 2019 at 6:42pm PDT

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Thank you Coco Cay and Royal Caribbean for an unforgettable evening! . . . . #royalcaribbean #navigator of the seas #familytime #familymemories #travel #explore #cococay #perfectdayatcococay #timetofyourlife #cruisetime #cruiselover #cruise #girlscruise #girlstravel #livingmybestlife #cruiseday #chillisland #weekendlikeyoumeanit #cocoloco #fireworks #lasershow #fullmoon

A post shared by Rose Polkadots & Wishes Travel (@mousemanual) on Oct 12, 2019 at 8:09pm PDT

Our weekend went something like this. #PerfectDayatCocoCay
?: Pieter D. pic.twitter.com/fzUdSKiqYK

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 7, 2019

Baby, you're a ? #PerfectDayatCocoCay
?: Jason L. pic.twitter.com/kTLREMTjo9

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 19, 2019

Royal Caribbean has teamed up with Oakland Park, Fla.-based Funky Buddha Brewery to create an exclusive beer which will be available only the cruise line's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay and at the Funky Buddha taproom.

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 8, 2019 for the name of the beer, "Chilla Thrilla".

Tenemu reports it discovered labels for the beer filed with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau that list Chilla Thrilla with a 5 percent ABV.  It will be packaged in 12-ounce cans and will feature a number of different labels, each highlighting a different area of Perfect Day at CocoCay:

Over the weekend, Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas stayed for a late night visit to the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The October 4th sailing of Navigator of the Seas kicked off the late night visit season, along with some sailings that will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay twice.

Navigator of the Seas remained at Perfect Day at CocoCay until 10pm, and featured an array of evening activities, including a Junkanoo Jam Up Party, an island barbeque and performances by a calypso band and fire dancers, topped off with a farewell fireworks before setting sail.

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Here are the sailings currently scheduled for Two Stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, including Late Night Stays.

It appears Royal Caribbean has added the option for guests to begin booking Coco Beach Club access and cabanas via the Cruise Planner site.

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. 

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 Coco Beach Club will offer the first and only floating cabanas in The Bahamas that seeks to offer guests with an additional level of luxury.

In addition, beachside cabanas and daybeds will offer up a private slice of paradise. Elsewhere, guests can find zen at a freshwater infinity edge pool and bar, spanning an expansive 2,600-plus feet, or enjoy an exclusive dining venue that serves up freshly made Mediterranean fare with a side of ocean views.

The Coco Beach Club and the floating cabanas are slated to open on January 31, 2020.

Royal Caribbean will reopen Perfect Day at CocoCay after its survey teams inspected the private island in The Bahamas on Wednesday.

Travel Weekly reports Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley said, "a preliminary team landed on the island late on Sept. 3 and that three teams with different specialties were there on Sept. 4. He said they estimated the winds from Hurricane Dorian reached the Category 2 or 3 levels of 96 to 129 miles an hour."

Damage to CocoCay was most significant on the north side of the island, near the dock that was recently added.  Hurricane Dorian's counter-clockwise winds had a tendency to steer the greatest amount of debris, while the south side of the island was relatively spared.

Up, Up and Away helium balloon will remain temporarily closed for an undisclosed amount of time. Bayley said the decision was taken to deflate the balloon, even though its ground rigging is built to hold it secure in winds of up to Category 2 strength.

Navigator of the Seas will be the first ship to resume calls to Perfect Day at CocoCay, when she arrives there on Saturday.

Royal Caribbean sent an email to guests on upcoming sailings with an update on its plans to reopen its private island in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.

On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean will send a team to CocoCay to assess damage. Once on the island, the cruise line's team of experts will determine the extent of any damage and debris, and will advise when we can reopen.

Royal Caribbean's current plan is to be up and running on Saturday, September 7th, but they will not really know until the entire property is evaluated.

Guests sailing on Navigator of the Seas have already been informed their scheduled visit this weekend has been replaced with a visit to Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean shut down CocoCay last week in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian.

With Royal Caribbean's recent announcement that it will offer sailings with two stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, it should come as no surprise that the cruise line is now offering water park admission that covers both visits to the private island.

Ev Ares‎ noticed the 2-Day Thrill Waterpark Pass option in Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site that includes admission to Thrill Waterpark for both days at Perfect Day at CocoCay on the same sailing.

Like most pre-cruise options, the price may vary from sailing to sailing, but in Ev's example, the 2 day pass costs $79, while the cost of admission on the first visit is $55.99 and for the second day is $89.00 if purchased separately.

Thrill Waterpark includes the following activities:

• 13 waterslides
• Complimentary dining at Snack Shack,
• Wave Pool
• Adventure Pool
• Beach chairs
• Umbrellas and towels

Royal Caribbean informed guests that it will temporarily close its private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, until September 4, 2019.

Due to the forecasted path of Tropical Storm Dorian, the cruise line informed guests via email that it has decided to shutdown CocoCay until Wednesday, September 4th.

Any shore excursions pre-purchased for CocoCay will be refunded to onboard credit. If a guest onboard spend does not reach this amount, the remaining balance will be refunded to the credit card on file.

Royal Caribbean also promised an itinerary update for ships by August 28th at 3:00pm EST.

Royal Caribbean announced it will begin offering select sailings that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay twice, along with late night stays.

Beginning September 30, 2019, Royal Caribbean will offer 4-night itineraries to the private island destination across nearly 40 sailings. Three exclusive cruises also make their debut today.

In addition, three one-of-a-kind cruises with late-night visits to the island will be offered on Navigator of the Seas. Travelers of all ages will have the chance to extend the excitement long after the sun sets with traditional Bahamian-inspired activities, including a Junkanoo Jam Up Party, an island barbeque and performances by a calypso band and fire dancers, topped off with unforgettable farewell fireworks before setting sail.

The new itineraries are available to guests on select Navigator and Mariner of the Seas sailings.

"Perfect Day at CocoCay has revolutionized private destinations in the vacation industry, and the resounding feedback from our guests is that they want more – more time and even more ways to experience the island," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "We’re building on an incredible adventure that’s already winning the hearts of many."