You can have a great time at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay without spending a fortune.
It's a myth that CocoCay is all about big upcharges and high-cost thrills. Sure, those options exist, but pro cruisers will tell you there is so much more to enjoy beyond that.
Having been many times to this private island, it's clear you can enjoy a day here without blowing through your budget. In fact, you can easily spend absolutely nothing extra and have a great time.
I love having the choice to splurge if I'd like to, but ultimately I can walk off with nothing special booked and still enjoy a day in the water, beach, and plenty of food inbetween.
If you want to stay within your budget, here's what’s included for free, low-cost upgrades that might be worth it, and money-saving tricks you can add into your visit.
Royal Caribbean includes a lot that costs nothing extra
Before you pay for anything extra at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you should know what's included with your cruise fare.
- Oasis Lagoon – the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean
- Beaches - free beach chairs, umbrellas, and gorgeous ocean views
- Chill Island
- South Beach
- Harbor Beach
- Splashaway Bay & Captain Jill’s Galleon – free water play areas for kids
- Skipper’s Grill, Chill Grill, and Snack Shack – all meals and snacks included
- Beach chairs, towels, and tram transportation – no need to carry anything around
I know what you're thinking, if it's free, how good it could be? And is it going to be super crowded?
The temptation to pay extra because "it's got to be better" is a pretty common notion, but the reality is these included options are really good.
I wouldn't hesitate to take my family to any of them for the day, and the truth is it's also really good too.
What you don't need to pay for
There are four areas I'd caution you not to pay extra for simply to achieve in your visit.
Beach loungers or hammocks are everywhere, so you really don't need to spend extra admission to another area of the island if this is your concern.
If getting a prime spot is important to you, I'd recommend getting off the ship early. As long as you get to the island before 10am, you're going to have a pretty easy time picking out chairs, loungers, and umbrellas.
Certainly access to the beaches and pools are another area where you don't need to pay extra.
I think a lot of new cruisers are surprised how much is included for no extra cost, but they don't realize it until they get to the island.
If you're thinking of splurging for a CocoCay cabana or daybed, you really don't need to get one unless you're in a large group.
I've rented plenty of cabanas, but they're not essential. Nice to have, sure, but don't for a family of four or less, you can skip them.
Lastly, an upgraded lunch is something else you can skip spending on specifically.
While I think the Coco Beach Club restaurant has amazing food, I'd be lying to you if I didn't say the free food at the Snack Shack or Skipper's Grill isn't incredibly satisfying.
Optional extras that might be worth it only if…
If you're on the fence about spending extra for exclusive areas of CocoCay, here's what I would recommend and when to buy it.
Thrill Waterpark
If you're into water slides and love the idea of going on them all day long, then Thrill Waterpark is worth the cost.
By far teens and anyone that really wants a thrill experience is who's going to be attracted to this area.
If you want a chill day, definitely skip paying for admission.
The key is ensuring you're good with spending all day. It's simply not worth it if you're not going to come for just a couple of hours.
Coco Beach Club
The best way I can describe the appeal of the Coco Beach Club is if you truly value a bougie kind of beach day.
It's gorgeous, uncrowded, and has the best food, but very expensive. Skip unless you're looking for a luxury day and don’t mind the splurge.
Hideaway Beach
Royal Caribbean built this area specifically for anyone that wants a break from the kids and families.
Hideaway Beach delivers on it, but don't confuse it with a quiet experience either. This adults-only area is more Vegas pool party than calm and quiet.
While you can find some quiet if you're willing to walk as far away from the pool as possible, you're better off saving money for a quiet day by going to the end of South Beach and not spending anything extra.
Up, Up & Away Balloon Ride
It's incredibly scenic, but the chances it actually goes up seems to be quite low.
The balloon requires near perfect weather for it to be able to safely operate, and in my experience, that rarely occurs.
I'd recommend not buying it in advance because you're going to likely plan your day around it and then end up disappointed when it likely gets cancelled.
Best strategy for a budget-friendly day
My recommendation for a low cost day is to embrace these tips.
- Get off the ship early to grab the best beach chairs (no extra cost)
- Use the tram to explore the island without walking (free)
- Start at Oasis Lagoon, then hit Chill Island for beach time
- Eat lunch at Skipper’s or Snack Shack — they’re fast and included
- Head back to the ship mid-afternoon for a second round of food or quiet time onboard
Don't forget your Royal Caribbean drink package works at CocoCay too, so that's added value if you decide to buy it.
What to pack to avoid extra costs
Besides the optional places and experiences you can book for CocoCay, the other area people end up wasting money is on things they forgot to pack.
Packing for a cruise is not easy, but there are a few essentials I'd recommend bringing so you don't have to pay the high prices for them onboard or even on the island.
- Sunscreen
- Hat/sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Waterproof phone case for photos
Also, you don't need to pack towels from home. You can get towels from ship for free, if you don’t lose it.
