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A whole day at CocoCay without paying for anything
This is my favourite beach day in cruising, and I have never once paid for the waterpark, the private beach or a cabana. Here is the day underneath the upsell.
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Royal Caribbean publishes that "there is no admission fee to visit Perfect Day CocoCay" and that most experiences are complimentary. The free areas include Chill Island, South Beach, Harbor Beach, Breezy Bay, the Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool, Splashaway Bay, Captain Jill's Galleon playground, five dining venues, and beach chairs and umbrellas.
Everything you see advertised about Perfect Day at CocoCay costs money. The Thrill Waterpark, the zip line, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, the overwater cabanas. That is what gets photographed and that is what gets sold to you in the Cruise Planner months before you sail.
Underneath all of it is a complete free day, and Royal Caribbean says so themselves: "there is no admission fee to visit Perfect Day CocoCay," and most experiences on the island are complimentary.
You walk off the ship and it is all right there. Music playing. And a free pirate ship playground that my four-year-old played on for a solid hour before we even started wandering.
There are free smaller slides for the little ones, and Splashaway Bay, which she loved. Then we went over to the pool, which is huge, and it was very nice.
While I was roaming around with the four-year-old, the rest of my crew had brought their own snorkelling gear from home, so no rental, and they snorkelled all day. Underwater features, lots of colourful fish, no money spent.
On another trip we just went beach to beach all day long.
We have never done the paid water slides or the paid beaches. And honestly, there is so much to do that I do not think we will — not unless we are there without the children one day and want an adult day with upgraded food. This is by far my favourite beach day so far.
What is actually free, from Royal Caribbean's own pages
| Beaches | Chill Island, South Beach, Harbor Beach and Breezy Bay |
|---|---|
| Oasis Lagoon | The freshwater pool, with a swim-up bar. Royal Caribbean calls it the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. |
| For children | Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon, the pirate ship playground |
| Eating | Five dining spots, including the Snack Shack, Chill Grill and Skipper Grill |
| Comfort | Beach chairs and umbrellas throughout the island, lockers, freshwater showers and restrooms |
| Sport | Volleyball, basketball, soccer and table tennis |
| Getting there | About a six-minute walk from ship to Arrivals Plaza, with a complimentary tram running the pier |
Your ship drink package works on the island, including at the Oasis Lagoon swim-up bar. Towels come from the ship, with three exchange stations on the island — and a towel you do not bring back costs $25, which is the one small trap here.
The four moves that make this day work
- Bring your own snorkel gear from home. This is the single biggest saving on the island and it fits in a carry-on. My family snorkelled all day on gear that cost them nothing on the day.
- Let the playground do the first hour. If you have small children, go straight there. It buys you an hour of sitting down, free, while they exhaust themselves.
- Walk one beach further. The first stretch you reach is the busiest. The island is walkable and the crowd thins out.
- Go back for your towels. $25 a towel adds up faster than you would think with a family.
So is the paid stuff worth it?
I am not going to tell you it is bad, because I have not done it, and I will not review something I have not experienced. What I will tell you is that no official page publishes a single price for any of it. Royal Caribbean says only that prices vary by season and sends you to the Cruise Planner for your own sailing. Anyone quoting you a firm figure is quoting an old one.
What I can say is that after several visits, with kids and without, we have never run out of free things to do. If we ever do buy in, it will be Coco Beach Club on an adults-only trip for the food and the quiet — not the waterpark.
One thing to watch
The island market takes your SeaPass card until 2:30pm, and US cash any time. If you are planning to buy something late in the day, take cash.
Questions I get asked
Do I have to buy anything at all?
No. Royal Caribbean publishes that there is no admission fee and that most experiences are complimentary. A family can have a full day here without spending a dollar.
Is the free pool actually good, or is it the consolation prize?
It is huge and it is lovely. It is not a consolation prize.
Can non-Royal-Caribbean ships visit?
No. Royal Caribbean guests only.
How long do we get?
Around eight to ten hours, which is a genuinely full day.
Is it walkable if I am slow on my feet?
The pier has a complimentary tram, and the island is flat. How far you then roam is up to you — our CocoCay port guide has the detail.
The full sourced breakdown, including everything that costs extra, is in the CocoCay port guide.
Where these facts come from
Ports change their rules and their prices. Check the official pages above before you sail.
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