Amid the glitz and glamour of the mega announcement that Royal Caribbean will invest $200 million to upgrade its private destination of CocoCay in the Bahamas, it is easy to overlook some of the smaller details. 

Sure, there will be incredible water slides, over the water cabanas, an impressive wave pool, and plenty of beach fun to go around, but scouring the various concept art, we came up with seven smaller details that are part of the plans for Perfect Day at CocoCay that we think are worth mentioning...and looking forward to trying out.

It is worth mentioning that we found these details by looking closely at artist renderings.  This artwork may not necessarily represent what will actually be the final product, nor what may actually be something offered at CocoCay.  

A covered pier

It is safe to say a lot of people are excited for Royal Caribbean to add a pier to CocoCay for the sole benefit of increasing the likelihood of being able to go to CocoCay.  Tendering is dependent on ideal sea and wind conditions, which has resulted quite often in ships having to skip scheduled stops in CocoCay due to poor conditions.

While a pier makes it a whole lot easier to get to the island, anyone that has walked on a pier can tell you one thing that you quickly notice while walking down the pier is how hot it can get there.  There is no shade, as it is often a concrete walkway in the middle of the shore.

Royal Caribbean appears to have remedied that issue by providing a covered pier walkway for guests to enjoy, which means less of that "surface of the sun" heat!

Geyser

With all the excitement of Perfect Day at CocoCay, it is easy to overlook a new feature that is sure to be the focus of plenty of photos. 

At the Arrival Plaza, there appears to be a geyser, or some other sort of water spouting semi-natural phenomena.

Tidal wave slide

Up until now, Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas was the only place to try out the Tidal Wave water slide, which is a fun raft ride that features a Boomerang style slide.

CocoCay will offer its own Tidal Wave slide at the Family Tower area of Thrill Waterpark.  It looks like Royal Caribbean will call it The Twister, and describes it as, "takes two riders down its winding tubes on a tandem raft."

Rock climbing wall in the pool

Royal Caribbean made a name for itself years ago when it added rock climbing walls to its cruise ships. Back then, that was a revolutionary change.  Now, all Royal Caribbean ships offer this signature activity and it appears CocoCay will take the idea one step further with a rock climbing wall... over water!

Thrill Waterpark will offer a rock climbing wall that is built over the pool, which means "falling off" is just as fun as going up!

Twin pool rope swing

Speaking of pool fun, there will be twin rope swings at Thrill Waterpark, where you will be able to practice your back flip/summersault combo.

The renderings appear to show two rope swings on either end of the pool.

Beach teepees

You have heard of beach cabanas, bungalows and beds, but prepare yourself for beach teepees!

Located on South Beach, Royal Caribbean describes them simply by saying, "Kick back in your own beachfront glampsite."  

Zorb balls

South Beach will also be home to a new kind of activity, called zorbing.

Basically, you enter an inflatable zorb ball and, uhh...., zorb around!  From what we understand from hours of scouring the internet, zorbing involves entering these giant inflatable balls in a hamster ball-like activity.

Which of these under the radar activities are you most excited about? Is there something else you spotted in the artist renderings worth mentioning? Let's talk about it in the comments for this post!

Have you heard about Royal Caribbean's $200 million development project at its private destination in the Bahamas? The Perfect Day at CocoCay is slated to offer cruise guests an incredible day ashore that will be exclusively available to Royal Caribbean cruise guests.

Since Royal Caribbean revealed its plans for CocoCay earlier this year, there have been a lot of interest in what will be offered once Perfect Day opens.  Here are answers to some commonly asked Perfect Day at CocoCay questions.

This information was up to date as of May 15, 2018.

When will CocoCay open?

Royal Caribbean plans to open CocoCay in phases as parts of the island's upgrades are ready.

The first aspect of Perfect Day at CocoCay is scheduled to open in September 2018 when the new pier is completed. Chill Island and Oasis Lagoon are planned for November 2018, while Thrill Waterpark and South Beach debut in April 2019.

The official Perfect Day at CocoCay Grand Opening, which will include CocoBeach Club and the Overwater Cabanas, is set for December 2019.

The exact schedule is subject to change and is fully dependent upon achieving all construction deadlines and does not account for unforeseeable events.

Capacity and operations

Royal Caribbean designed the Perfect Day at CocoCay so that all of its cruise ships could potentially stop there, including the Oasis class ships.

The average service capacity for a single call day on the island is projected at 6,500 guests.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private destination exclusive to Royal Caribbean and no other cruise lines will be able to stop there.

Coco Beach Club costs and access

Guests looking to truly indulge will want to go to the Coco Beach Club.  The Coco Beach Club will offer an oceanfront infinity pool, upgraded cuisine and the only overwater cabanas in the Bahamas. Cabanas at the Coco Beach Club come with an overwater hammock, waterslide and private attendant.

Coco Beach Club offers an exclusive beach experience available to all guests, not just suite guests. An additional fee will be administered for entry into this elevated experience. Costs will be shared at a later date.

Children will be allowed in the Coco Beach Club.  In fact, there are no age restrictions at any of the Perfect Day at CocoCay attractions or activities. Children of all ages are welcome!

How to book Perfect Day at CocoCay

In the future, your clients will have the opportunity to plan out their perfect day as most experiences at Perfect Day at CocoCay will be available to book via the Cruise Planner tool.

Guests booked on sailings that call on Perfect Day at CocoCay will be notified when this feature becomes available.

In a press conference with members of the media aboard Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley spoke about some options the cruise line is considering with regard to allowing guests to stay longer at its private destination of CocoCay.

Adam Coulter of Cruise Critic reported that Bayley talked of keeping ships later in CocoCay, "The next stage is to have longer stays in Perfect Day till 11 o' clock at night and we're building it so we have all the lighting and infrastructure in place."

Moreover, Royal Caribbean is also considering the idea of guests staying even longer, with stays overnight or even longer.  Tom Stieghorst of Travel Weekly quoted Michael Bayley as saying, "We're pretty sure late nights will be a hit. We think overnights could be a hit and we're wondering if a whole weekend could be a hit."

"It would not be a volume component. It would maybe be 10 cabanas of suite-type quality which would be pretty high-priced, and then you'd have the ability to hop on any one of our ships. But there's a lot of revenue and logistical issues to work out with that idea," Bayley said.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of building the Perfect Day at CocoCay improvements, which will bring a water park, slides, cabanas and more the island. The $200 million project is underway, with the majority of the additions ready for launch in spring 2019. Coco Beach Club, the final experience to be completed, is set to open November 2019.

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has hinted at an overnight option with CocoCay. In April 2017, Michael Bayley brought up the concept of allowing overnight stays in CocoCay.

If you are wondering what the progress is like for the new pier Royal Caribbean is building at its private island of CocoCay, we have a new look at where it stands.

Annette Jackson from MEI Travel shared with us photos of the pier construction, as seen earlier today during a stopover on Enchantment of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean updated the completion date of the pier at CocoCay will be September 2018. The pier is just one piece of the massive $200 million transformation that will take place over the next year needed to create the Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Have you heard about the big changes coming to CocoCay? Royal Caribbean unveiled its plans for the Perfect Day at CocoCay that is sure to offer a lot for guests of all ages.  

Perfect Day at CocoCay will roll out in phases, beginning Sept. 2018 with the completion of the pier, and the majority of the island will launch spring 2019. Coco Beach Club, the final experience to be completed, is set to open Nov. 2019.

Here is a breakdown of everything we know that is being added to CocoCay, from racing down the tallest and most thrilling waterslide in North America or riding the tide of the Caribbean’s largest wave pool, to taking in the highest view in The Bahamas from a helium balloon 450 feet in the air, unwinding at the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, or enjoying the perfect beach day.

Splash and play

As you arrive in CocoCay (on the newly added pier), the opportunity to get soaked and cool off is right around the corner.  The shipwrecked Galleon features 30 water cannons to play with, along with Sprayaway Geyser, spraying water 82 feet in the air.

Royal Caribbean has been adding a new aquatic adventure park to its cruise ships, dubbed Splashaway Bay.  On CocoCay, Royal Caribbean will create the largest version of its aqua park yet.

Splashaway Bay will feature fountains, pools, sprinklers, geysers, water cannons and whirlpools – plus five kid-size waterslides and two massive drench buckets.

Dining

At Captain Jack’s, the island hangout and meet-up spot, guests can grab a drink at the rowboat bar and enjoy waterfront views or chow down on chicken wings and crispy steak fries – the house specialty.

For a nautical, world-traveled vibe, guests can opt to head to Skipper’s Grill for lunchtime favorites like burgers, sandwiches, tacos and salads.

Thrills

The home for adrenaline-seeking guests is Thrill Waterpark, and it will be in the middle of Perfect Day at CocoCay.  It is home to two brag-worthy water towers with 13 slides – the most slides found in any waterpark in the Caribbean – as well as the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and a kid-friendly obstacle course pool.

Key features of Thrill Waterpark will include:

• Daredevil’s Tower – Guests will push their limits on seven exhilarating slides, including twin Dueling Demons drop slides and the duo of Manta Raycers; the high-speed, fully vertical Screeching Serpent; the coiling Green Mamba; and the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest waterslide in North America.
  
• Family Tower – Adventurous squads will share the thrill with six multi-rider slides, including The Twister, a winding tube slide for two sharing a raft; The Slingshot, a zero-gravity slide for four; and the four-lane Splash Speedway racing slides.

There will also be a 1,600-foot zip line that ends with the only splash water landing in the region.

For younger kids, Adventure Pool will offer an obstacle course of lily pads, a rock-climbing wall and swing ropes to bounce, climb and swing to their heart’s content.

Birds-eye View

You will be able to see it all with Up, Up and Away.  This colorful helium baloon will take guests 450 feet above CocoCay to provide the highest vantage point in The Bahamas and offer views all around the island.

Largest Freshwater Pool

Royal Caribbean is planning to add the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean at Oasis Lagoon.

Guests can find a spot among three distinct coves, each with their own vibe.  There will be a swim-up bar, zero entry pool access, or three mini swim-up islands with in-water loungers. 

If indulgence is more your style, private cabanas area available, complete with its own cabana attendant.

Beach time

If you are looking to enjoy time on the beach, Chill Island may be the place for you.  Royal Caribbean promises vacationers can find pristine, crystal-clear tropical waters and white powder-like sand

Chill Grill, the largest dining venue on the island, will offer beachside dining with fresh bites. Guests will also find beach day favorites here, including wave runner excursions, boat tours, snorkeling to see the spectacular marine life, as well as plentiful cabanas and daybeds for relaxation under the shade. There will also be beach bars with roaming bartenders.

South Beach will offer many activities to do while at the beach, such as volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer, paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing in an inflatable zorb ball.

You can grab a bite at the Snack Shack or wade out to the floating bar to cool off with a drink.

If relaxation is more their speed, photo-worthy teepee cabanas, as well as daybeds, are perfect for napping and snapping in the shade.

An exclusive retreat

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

Cabanas at the Coco Beach Club come with an overwater hammock, waterslide and private attendant.

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.

Your thoughts

Which addition to CocoCay are you most excited to try?  Are you brave enough to go down the Daredevil’s Tower? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!

Royal Caribbean announced plans for a massive expansion to its private islands, as well as fleet modernization effort.

CocoCay

Leading the big news is the announcement of a $200 million transformation of Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay in the Bahamas.

CocoCay will be the first in the cruise line's most ambitious project yet, which they are dubbing the Perfect Day Island Collection.  This will be a series of unrivaled and exclusive private island destinations around the world.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is aimed at offering "the ultimate family destination in the Caribbean."

Highlights include:

• Thrill Waterpark, featuring two brag-worthy water towers with 13 slides – the most slides found in any waterpark in the Caribbean – will include the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. In addition, the waterpark will feature the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and a kid-friendly obstacle course pool.
• Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, with a swim-up bar and in-pool loungers.
• A 1,600-foot zip line that crisscrosses the island at up to 50 feet high and features the only water landing in the Caribbean.
• A helium balloon, dubbed Up, Up and Away, floats up to 450 feet above the ground providing for the highest vantage point in The Bahamas.
• Two specially designed beaches – Chill Island for the ultimate beach escape, complete with pristine, crystal-clear tropical waters and white powder-like sand – and plentiful cabanas and daybeds for relaxation; and the action-packed South Beach with volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer, paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing in an inflatable zorb ball.
• The exclusive Coco Beach Club, will offer an upscale island experience that will feature the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas.

The island transformation will roll out in phases beginning September 2018 with the completion of a new pier, and by spring 2019 the majority of the island’s experiences will be open. Coco Beach Club, the final phase, is set to open November 2019.

Additional Perfect Day Island Collection destinations in Asia, Australia and the Caribbean will be announced at a later date.

Ship revitalizations

Royal Caribbean also announced it will invest $900 million to reimagining its fleet through a new modernization effort called Royal Amplified.

Royal Amplified will cover 10 ships over four years, and Royal Caribbean promises the program will touch every facet of the guest experience, and introduce a wide range of innovative features and bold, new experiences, including specialized pool spaces, experiential dining and nightlife concepts, and first-of-its-kind attractions.

Royal Amplified will include the Oasis, Freedom and Voyager class ships.

Independence of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to receive updates under the Royal Amplified program. Mariner of the Seas will receive her upgrades in time for this summer. The program will continue in 2019 on sister ship Navigator of the Seas, which also will be redesigned to specifically cater to those who seek a quick getaway.

Oasis of the Seas will be completely reimagined in fall 2019, ten years after her revolutionary debut. The ship will gain new thrills, pools, bars and culinary creations, as well as introduce new restaurants and onboard adventures found on the newest Oasis Class ship, Symphony of the Seas. These enhancements will cascade to Allure of the Seas in spring 2020, making every ship in the class more adventurous than ever.

Freedom of the Seas will be up next, debuting new features in 2020, followed by Liberty of the Seas in 2021.

In developing Royal Amplified, the global cruise line analyzed multiple years of guest satisfaction ratings, venue utilization data and crew interviews to focus the major investment on key features and experiences that matter most to travelers.

Full details on each ship’s new amenities will be revealed on a continuous basis in the next three years.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of adding a number of improvements to its private destination of CocoCay in the Bahamas.  We have a recent look at the progress being made.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader MikeOzy15 took these photos on February 14, while on an Enchantment of the Seas cruise.

First and foremost, here is a look at the progress being made on the new dock, which is scheduled to be completed in June 2018.

Some of the work being done in CocoCay is hidden to guests by walls.

There is also a new large, "life size" pool table,bowling, bocce ball, volleyball nets and a basketball court for guests to use.

Royal Caribbean is working on adding a pier to its private destionation of CocoCay, and we have a new photo report to share of the progress being made.

Reader Brian White took these photos on August 30, while visiting the island on a Grandeur of the Seas cruise.

The pier will connect to Cococay on the western side of the tender harbor and extend down island from there, presumably to keep the tender harbor free for future use.

The barge on the right was re-positioning at the time this photo was taken, eventually moving to the far right out of view where the end of the pier will be.

The sand they are pulling out is being dumped further down the island in the undeveloped area.

Royal Caribbean has offered cabanas at its private destination of CocoCay for years, but these cabanas have lacked direct ocean access.  A new set of cabanas have been relocated that remedy that issue and provide waterfront access.

The waterfront cabanas at Water Sports Beach provide direct water access and Royal Caribbean Blog reader Nick Vitani shared photos of these cabanas.

The cabana relocation is part of Royal Caribbean's island-wide updates that are in the process of being implemented.