With the completion of Royal Caribbean Cruises' $7 million private island CocoCay, the cruise line has taken the out-island concept from beach experience closer to a full-scale Caribbean port-of-call experience.
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CocoCay and Labadee are both leased (rather than owned) by Royal Caribbean from their respective countries, The Bahamas and Haiti.
In May, Royal Caribbean International opened Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas available to passengers on the company's ships. The company spent $250 million on the island, installing features such as a 135-foot-tall waterslide and a 1,600-foot-long zip-line course.
Coco Cay aka Little Stirrup Cay, is privately owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL). It is about one mile long, 1/3 of a mile wide, and its white-sand beach is reserved exclusively for RCCL's guests.
The only people who live on CocoCay are Royal Caribbean employees, according to the cruise line. Here's what it's like to visit. As Royal Caribbean guests step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.
The only people who live on CocoCay are Royal Caribbean employees, according to the cruise line. Here's what it's like to visit. As Royal Caribbean guests step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.
Coco Cay aka Little Stirrup Cay, is privately owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL). It is about one mile long, 1/3 of a mile wide, and its white-sand beach is reserved exclusively for RCCL's guests.
Admission to CocoCay is free of charge and most of the attractions on the island are free, as is most of the food. Drinks are free if you have a cruise ship drinks package. Some of the thrill rides and the VIP chill areas have a charge.
The beginnings of Little Stirrup Cay aka Coco Cay as a cruise private island. Leased since 1977 and purchased since 1988, Norwegian Caribbean Line (now NCL) was already using the neighboring island of Great Stirrup Cay.
Thanks to a $250 million transformation, Royal Caribbean's once-sleepy private island retreat in the Bahamas is offering eye-opening travel amenities to its cruise passengers.
CocoCay is a 125-acre island located in the Bahamas' Berry Island chain between Freeport and Nassau. The tropical oasis, previously known as Little Stirrup Cay, is exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests.
The housing on Coco Cay for the staff is in the center of the island and easily visible from the center trail. On Labadee it is past the straw market on the far inland side. The staff is supplemented significantly with ship staff on each cruise visit who support all of the activities that day.
Adrenaline seekers will find an upcharge for Thrill Waterpark, the Zipline and CocoCay's Up, Up and Away balloon ride. Shore excursions such as kayaking, parasailing or swimming with pigs will also incur a charge. Beach rentals of snorkel equipment or floating mats are available onsite at CocoCay for a surcharge.
If you want a quiet spot, go to Chill IslandChill Island is accessible via the green pathway that is towards the left side when you walk onto Perfect Day at CocoCay. Once at Chill Island, keep to the left side of the area for pristine ocean views that has no music or the sounds of people at the pool or water park.
CocoCay is found in the Bahamas' Berry Islands between Freeport and Nassau while Labadee is part of Haiti, located in the Eastern Caribbean. Labadee is also nearly twice the size of CocoCay, featuring five beaches to CocoCay's three (though not all can be used for swimming).