By Captain Sail, Book with the Captain
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Ahoy! I'm Captain Sail, the guide for Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. Most short Royal Caribbean cruises from Florida stop at the line's private island, and most families ask me the same thing: what's included and what costs extra? Here's the answer, straight from Royal Caribbean's own island page, plus which ships visit from US ports in 2027.
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from Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel.
Quick facts: Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Where: The Bahamas, about 55 miles north of Nassau, with its own pier.
- Who can visit: only Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises guests, as a port of call.
- Entry: Royal Caribbean says there's no admission fee; island access comes with your cruise.
- Included: beaches, a freshwater pool, a kids' splash area, casual food and some drinks.
- Extra cost: a waterpark, an adults-only beach, a beach club, cabanas and activities.
What Perfect Day at CocoCay is
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, about 55 miles north of Nassau. Ships dock at the island's own pier, so you walk straight off. You spend the day on beaches and pools, then walk back on board.
Royal Caribbean describes the island's Oasis Lagoon as "a sprawling freshwater pool escape." The island also has the Thrill Waterpark, whose Daredevil's Peak, at 135 feet, Royal Caribbean calls the tallest waterslide in the Caribbean.
Included vs extra cost on the island
Royal Caribbean splits the island into areas included with your cruise and areas that cost extra. No prices here: the line says add-on pricing is dynamic, so it changes by date and ship.
| Included with your cruise | Extra cost |
|---|---|
| Five beaches: Chill Island, Breezy Bay, South Beach, Cove Beach and Harbor Beach, with loungers, umbrellas and towels | Thrill Waterpark day pass (14 slides, a wave pool and the Adventure Pool) |
| Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool | Hideaway Beach (adults 18+) |
| Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon for kids | Coco Beach Club, including overwater cabanas |
| Three Snack Shacks and two buffets, Chill Grill and Skipper's Grill | Cabanas around the island |
| Water, juices, iced tea and lemonade | Up, Up & Away helium balloon and the 1,600-foot zip line |
| Tram, showers, lockers, beach strollers and beach wheelchairs | Shore excursions: jet ski, kayak, parasail, snorkel tours, swimming with pigs |
| Volleyball and basketball | Captain Jack's à la carte menu, alcoholic drinks without a drink package, snorkel and float rentals |
Good to know: Royal Caribbean says a drink package bought for your cruise also works on the island. Guests under 14 need a ticketed companion aged 14 or older to enter the Thrill Waterpark.
The beaches, family areas and adults-only areas
The five included beaches (Chill Island, Breezy Bay, South Beach, Cove Beach and Harbor Beach) all come with loungers, umbrellas and towels at no extra cost. The island tram links them, so you can move around during the day instead of picking one spot.
For little ones, Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon are splash areas at no extra cost. For thrill-seekers, the paid Thrill Waterpark has 14 slides, including Daredevil's Peak.
For adults, Hideaway Beach is an 18+ beach, and it costs extra. Coco Beach Club is the island's paid beach club, with an infinity pool and what Royal Caribbean calls the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas.
Which ships and US ports visit in 2027
Royal Caribbean's own ship pages name the island on trips from three Florida ports I cover. These are examples, not a full list.
| US port | Examples Royal Caribbean's ship pages name |
|---|---|
| Miami, FL | Icon of the Seas (7-night Caribbean trips to the island); Hero of the Seas, new in 2027 (7-night trips to the island) |
| Port Canaveral, FL | Star of the Seas (the island on every itinerary, per its page) |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Legend of the Seas (winter Caribbean trips with island stops) |
From Galveston, Royal Caribbean's pages describe Western Caribbean trips, so ask us whether a Texas sailing includes the island. For the 2027 ship-by-port picture, see my 2027 ship moves guide.
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from Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel.
Planning tips for your island day
Captain's tip: Decide your "one paid thing" before you sail. Families who pick just the waterpark, or just a cabana, enjoy the day more than those trying to do everything.
- Pre-book paid areas. Royal Caribbean sells island add-ons ahead of time in its Cruise Planner and app. Some cabanas are first come, first served.
- Ride the tram. Royal Caribbean says it stops about every 15 minutes, and accessible trams are available.
- Pack the basics. The line suggests your SeaPass card, sun protection, good footwear and bug repellent.
- Check height rules. The balloon ride needs a minimum height of 48 inches, and Royal Caribbean refunds it if weather cancels the flight.
- Plan around the ship. Note your all-aboard time and head back early.
Your island day checklist
- Confirm your itinerary includes the island
- Choose any paid areas and pre-book them in the Cruise Planner
- Pack sun protection, footwear, bug repellent and your SeaPass card
- Check waterpark age and height rules for your kids
- Note all-aboard time before you head out
Traveling with grandparents too? My multi-generational family cruise tips help everyone enjoy the day, and my ship classes guide helps pick the right ship.
FAQ
Is Perfect Day at CocoCay free?
Royal Caribbean says there's no admission fee: access is part of your cruise. Five beaches, the Oasis Lagoon pool, the kids' splash area, Snack Shacks, two buffets and non-alcoholic drinks like water and lemonade are included. The waterpark, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, cabanas and activities cost extra.
What costs extra at CocoCay?
Royal Caribbean lists the Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach for adults, Coco Beach Club, cabanas, the Up, Up & Away balloon, the zip line, shore excursions, Captain Jack's à la carte menu and alcoholic drinks without a package. Pricing is dynamic, so check the Cruise Planner for your sailing.
Can anyone visit Perfect Day at CocoCay?
No. Royal Caribbean says the island is open only to guests of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, as a stop on their cruise. You can't book a day visit on its own. Pick a sailing that lists the island in its itinerary, and confirm the stop before you book.
Which ships go to CocoCay from Miami?
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas page lists 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and its Hero of the Seas page lists 7-night trips from Miami to the island once Hero arrives in 2027. Other ships visit too, so confirm your exact itinerary with us before booking.
Ready for your island day?
Tell me your home port, your dates and who's coming. I'll find the sailings with an island stop, and a human advisor checks every detail before you book.
Ready to plan?
from Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel.
No Book with the Captain fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings: you pay the cruise line's or hotel's rate.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International. Icon of the Seas and Perfect Day at CocoCay are trademarks of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club, Hideaway Beach and the ship names mentioned are trademarks or service marks of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Celebrity Cruises is a trademark of Celebrity Cruises Inc.
Sources (read Oct 25, 2026)
- Royal Caribbean, Perfect Day at CocoCay page and FAQ (read Oct 25, 2026): Oasis Lagoon "a sprawling freshwater pool escape" (no "largest" claim); "free with your cruise fare — including five beaches" (FAQ names Chill Island, Breezy Bay, South Beach, Cove Beach, Harbor Beach; header stat counts 7 beaches incl. paid areas); Daredevil's Peak 135 ft, tallest waterslide in the Caribbean; first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cococay-cruises
- Royal Caribbean, Icon of the Seas page (read Oct 25, 2026): 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami to Perfect Day CocoCay. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas
- Royal Caribbean, Hero of the Seas page (read Oct 25, 2026): "Sail from Miami starting Summer 2027... 7-night vacations to Perfect Day CocoCay." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/hero-of-the-seas
- Royal Caribbean, Star of the Seas page (read Oct 25, 2026): CocoCay "on every itinerary." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/star-of-the-seas
- Royal Caribbean, Legend of the Seas page (read Oct 25, 2026): winters from Fort Lauderdale with stops at Perfect Day CocoCay. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/legend-of-the-seas
- Images: Wikimedia Commons. The credit and license for each photo are shown under it.
Related port guides
Keep planning
- Cruise Ship Classes Guide: Which Big Ship Fits You?
- 2027 Cruise Ship Moves: Miami to Galveston and Florida
- Port Canaveral Family Cruise Ship Guide: What's On Board
- Fort Lauderdale to the Mediterranean: New Ship Guide
- Cruise port guides