Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay is a slice of paradise in the Bahamas known for its beautiful beaches and array of activities. Recently, I took my 60-year-old dad to Royal Caribbean’s private island for the first time since its multi-million dollar renovation.
We were excited to spend a day together at the island, and I was especially looking forward to introducing him to some of my favorite spots, including South Beach's floating bar and the Snack Shack.
However, having seen numerous advertisements for the island, my dad said he wanted to visit one of CocoCay's top attractions: Thrill Waterpark.
Though he enjoys the beach, he would much rather pay for an extra-cost activity than lounge around all day. Knowing we would have a relaxing afternoon at Blue Lagoon Island while docked in Nassau, he didn't want to spend the entire day at CocoCay sitting in a beach chair or floating in the Bahamian waters.
After eating a quick breakfast at the Solarium Bistro, we disembarked and headed straight to the waterpark. We were determined to make the most of our time ashore before the lines got unbearably wrong.
Read more: Guide to Perfect Day at CocoCay
Thrill Waterpark is one of CocoCay's crown jewels
It boasts a series of massive waterslides, including Daredevil's Peak (the second tallest slide in North America second only to The Fall at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells) and a wave pool.
While it's designed to cater to adrenaline junkies, it also appeals to all ages and thrill levels with a variety of slides and activities. Surprisingly, he was braver than I was. Though we both loved riding Daredevil's Peak and the Screeching Serpent, I drew the line at the Dueling Demons and refused to ride the trapdoor waterslides.
Since we got off the ship so early, we rode six slides in the first hour and a half, including Daredevil's Peak, Sling Shot, and the Twister.
My dad commented that if you're going to Thrill Waterpark, getting off the ship early is important to give yourself time to sus out the activities and ride as many slides as possible before the midday heat sets in.
We discovered there was hardly ever a line for the Screeching Serpent and rode it three times in a row before deciding to grab a bite to eat.
While the main allure of the waterpark is the water-based activities, my dad appreciated the plentiful lounge chairs dispersed throughout the area. Though you can't see the ocean inside Thrill Waterpark, they're a great place to sit, catch your breath, and avoid the crowds at places like Chill Island and South Beach.
Read more: I sailed on my first Royal Caribbean cruise. I liked the activities but didn't enjoy all the food
Prepare for chaotic lines and bring your patience
Thrill Waterpark is comprised of two primary towers that house eight different slides: Daredevil's Peak and Splash Summit. The latter is where you'll find the raft and mat slides, including Sling Shot, Twister, Tail Spin, and Splash Speedway.
You'll need to carry your own mats to the Splash Speedway slides, and for the Twister, you'll have to haul a raft up several flights of stairs. However, if you're planning to ride Sling Shot or Tail Spin, you’ll benefit from the tower’s convenient raft lift system, which uses a conveyor belt to transport the larger rafts to the top.
That said, the latter three slides—the Twister, Sling Shot, and Tail Spain—all meet at the same launch area at the top of Splash Summit. The stairs leading up to the launching platform aren't wide enough to accommodate three separate lines, especially with those in one line carrying large inflatable rafts with them. As a result, the lines to the tube slides are unorganized.
At peak times, my dad remarked how the chaos easily frustrated other guests trying to snake their way to the top with tubes for the Twister, as that line was often the shortest. There wasn't a clear system to manage the crowd, with employees at the launch platform yelling below to stay in a single file line, which didn't work well.
Aside from the Splash Summit lines, my dad didn't have many complaints about our day at CocoCay; however, he also advises those going to the waterpark to wear shoes when walking from one slide to another, rather than storing them in a complimentary locker. To him, the brick sidewalks were uncomfortable to walk on.
Don't skip Captain Jack's
Instead of sticking to the complimentary food, we ordered wings and steak fries at Captain Jack's. For the longest time, I didn't understand why people would pass up the beachside BBQ or mozzarella sticks from the Snack Shack, especially since they're included in the cost of your cruise. However, after trying the chicken wings, I understood why the Chill Grill may feel like less of a draw.
My dad was particularly impressed by the wings’ price, costing just $9.95 for ten. His favorite local spot at home charges $15.99 for ten bone-in wings, so he appreciated how much more affordable the wings at Captain Jack's were.
Not only that but he thought the quality of the wings justified the price, recalling just how delicious they were and wishing he could have them again!
We ordered the mango habanero flavor, and while they weren't as spicy as we would have liked, they were still packed with flavor and a hint of heat. Other flavors include buffalo sauce, Caribbean jerk, and barbeque.
The steak fries that we ordered with the wings were also a hit. My dad especially liked the TLC (tequila, lime, and chipotle) dipping sauce. Note that the fries don't come with the wings and cost an extra $3.
There's no right or wrong way to spend your day at Perfect Day at CocoCay
CocoCay has seemingly endless activities for all budgets and interests. Those who want to keep their spending to a minimum can relax in one of the thousands of free beach chairs and swim in the turquoise waters for no extra cost. There's also a large freshwater pool for guests who may not want to spend the entire day in the sand.
Cruise passengers with a higher budget can splurge on the Coco Beach Club, an intimate club with higher-end chairs and towels, private restroom facilities, a heated oceanfront infinity pool, and even a sit-down restaurant that dishes up everything from juicy filet mignon to lobster!
The waterpark is great for those seeking an adrenaline rush, while Hideaway Beach is ideal for adults who want a child-free day. As cheesy as it sounds, it's called "Perfect Day" because they have something to meet everyone's definition of a perfect day.
Since we didn't visit the beach, my dad said he would consider another cruise with CocoCay on the itinerary. Because of all the different amenities and attractions, it's easy to have a different experience each visit. It's definitely not just for families with young children, either!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
