Latest news with #CocoCay
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The Caribbean private islands you can enjoy on a cruise from Cayman Islands to Bahamas
SPLASH OUT We look at existing private islands you can cruise to IT doesn't get more exciting than sailing in style to a paradise Caribbean private island. And even more cruise lines are now going all out to host passengers on their own islands. 4 Royal Caribbean last week announced its second Perfect Day destination off Mexico, opening in 2027, which will include a waterpark with 30 slides, the longest lazy river in the world, adults-only beach clubs and a host of bars and restaurants. Lisa Minot looks at existing private islands you can cruise to. ROYAL CARIBBEAN IT was Royal who upped the ante with the launch of its revamped Perfect Day at Coco Cay in 2019. The £185million transformation of its Bahamas island included a new pier, thrill rides and chill zones. There are seven beaches to laze beside the warm waters and six pools, including Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean with swim-up bar and in-water loungers. The Thrill Waterpark has 14 slides including the tallest in North America while Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon are perfect places for the kids to play. There's complimentary food at four restaurants as well as a host of bars and shops. The adult-only Hideaway Beach opened in January last year and, for an extra charge, over-18s can enjoy a private beach, two pools, seven bars and two restaurants. Also available to book for an extra charge are overwater cabanas, a zipline and tethered hot air balloon as well as kayak tours and snorkelling excursions. GO: A week full-board on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is from £1,064pp, sailing from Miami on November 8 and calling at St Maarten, St Thomas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay. See MSC CRUISES WITH its signature stripey lighthouse and two miles of white sand beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas is a regular port of call for MSC cruise ships. They sail from their new private terminal in Miami as well as Port Canaveral in Florida and New York, including MSC World America, which made its debut in April. 4 The Italian cruise line has transformed a former sand excavation site in the last ten years, planting more than 75,000 trees and bringing back marine life and birds. A newly-opened conservation centre on the island allows guests to discover their achievements and includes a land-based coral nursery and fully-equipped bio-lab. But cruise guests will also appreciate the island's laid-back vibe with food trucks and restaurants offering Bahamian specialities, barbecue classics, snacks and oodles of ice cream and beach bars serving tropical cocktails. There's a chance to explore the underwater wonders with snorkelling, kayak, paddle board and windsurfing excursions. For a bit of luxury, you can relax in a cabana or take a sunset champagne cruise. GO: Seven nights' full-board on MSC World America is from £649pp. Sailing from Miami on September 13, the cruise calls at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. See HOLLAND AMERICA/CARNIVAL ONE of the original private island pioneers, the Holland America line first started calling at RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas in 1997 and it has been expanding its presence there ever since. In summer next year, a major upgrade will see a new beach club and lunch venue on its original facilities on the south of the island's stunning two-mile crescent of powder-soft white sand as well as a new pier at the north end of the beach that will be used by both Holland America and its sister cruise line Carnival. 4 Thrill-seekers can enjoy horseback riding along the shore, snorkelling, jet skiing, and stingray encounters. Families will love the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park, while nature enthusiasts can explore eco-tours and birdwatching. Unique experiences include glass-bottom boat tours and a pirate ship-themed bar. With beach sports, shopping and complimentary barbecue lunches, this is a high-end island escape for cruisers. GO: A 14-night full-board Western & Eastern Caribbean cruise on Holland America's Zuiderdam is from £1,379pp, departs Miami on November 8 and calls at Half Moon Cay, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico, Miami, Bahamas, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos. See MICKEY Mouse and pals now have two private islands to enjoy in the Bahamas. Their original, Castaway Cay, opened in 1998 as part of the launch of the new cruise line. 4 And last year, they opened Lookout Cay. As you would expect, there is a huge amount of fun activities for kids including kids' clubs for three to 17-year-olds. The family beach features plenty of umbrellas, chairs and hammocks plus tube and float rentals and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. Water babies will love Pelican Plunge, a huge floating platform featuring water slides and cannons. Spring-a-Leak is a water play area with freshwater jets. Adults get their own Serenity Bay stretch of pristine sands as well as a restaurant and bar. The island features a 12-acre snorkel trail dotted with sunken treasures including the submarine from the classic Disney attraction 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and there are miles of paths to explore on foot or bicycle. Over at Lookout Cay, there's more of a focus on nature and celebrating the island's Bahamian location with a cultural centre where you can learn about traditions and crafts. GO: A four-night full-board cruise on Disney Wish to the Bahamas, including calls at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay is from £920pp, based on two adults and two children sharing. The cruise departs August 17.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I've been to Royal Caribbean's private islands 3 times. It's no surprise the cruise line is taking nearly all its Caribbean sailings there.
I've been to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private resort three times over the years. Cruise lines are all in on these private island resorts: Passengers love them, and they're insanely profitable. Royal Caribbean is set to debut three new resorts through 2027. Royal Caribbean's land-based portfolio is growing alongside its famous fleet of cruise ships. Three new private ports in Mexico and the Bahamas are set to debut in the coming years alongside three new Icon Class ships At first glance, it may seem ironic for a vacation-at-sea company to invest millions into land-based destinations. But after visiting Royal Caribbean's land-based attraction for myself — three times — I can see exactly why they fit perfectly into the cruise giant's plans. To understand Royal Caribbean's real estate conquest, look at the accomplishments of its first private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, told analysts in October 2024 that its continued success can be partly attributed to its highest-rated port, Perfect Day at CocoCay. I've visited the in-demand destination three times since 2022. It's no surprise the 5½-year-old Bahamian retreat has become the inspiration for the company's quickly growing private port-folio. I love the thrill of ultra-planned, stress-inducing travel — but I also love indulging and relaxing at the beach. This wasn't a physically exhausting or emotionally taxing trip. Visiting here is a mushy-brained break where I get to rot on the beach and indulge in frivolous luxuries like guiltless naps and sugary beverages. That about sums up why cruisers love Royal Caribbean's private island. Some travelers criticize CocoCay for being an inauthentic Bahamian experience. That may be true in some cases, but was also never its promise. The island was designed as an extension of Royal Caribbean's ships — a beach resort on steroids. CocoCay is for people who crave the conveniences of an all-inclusive resort: secure confinement, glittery beaches, and plenty of snacks The island has options for every type of traveler. And much like going on a cruise, there's no need for planning as part of your visit (save for excursions like entry to its beach clubs). It's all set out for you. For kids, CocoCay has a waterpark, a zipline, a water playground, and easygoing activities like ping-pong tables. For adults, the island has two pool clubs: a boozy Vegas-style party at Hideaway Beach and a pricier high-end retreat at Coco Beach Club. For traditionalists seeking a no-frills beach day, CocoCay's sandy waterfront is lined with innumerable lounge chairs and slow-sloping banks. The island feels relatively safe. Several popular cruise ports are in destinations where the US Department of State has issued travel advisories, such as Mexico's Ensenada, Baja (Level 3 — "reconsider travel" ) and Manzanillo, Colima (Level 4 — "do not travel"). The agency also suggests travelers "exercise increased caution" when visiting the Bahamas, home of CocoCay. The island felt like one of the safest places I've recently visited. CocoCay is only accessible by Royal Caribbean Group's ships. As such, the only people there are its staff and the ship's crew and guests. My biggest fear there? Getting a sunburn. That's great news for concerned parents traveling with children or folks who may have read one too many cruise-related horror stories. That means it's a proverbial goldmine for Royal Caribbean. Travelers love splurging during their daylong visit. The island doesn't require third-party excursion operators, allowing Royal Caribbean to maximize profits from activities. Sections like the waterpark and beach clubs cost money to enter, from about $100 per person for the former to upward of $300 for Coco Beach Club. Free parts of the island also have rentals, such as snorkeling equipment and costly cabanas. Expect more opportunities to spend big at Royal Caribbean's coming properties. Liberty told analysts in 2024 that the cruise giant is "very mindful of having sizable significant returns" as it relates to its private properties. (It recently acquired the land for Perfect Day Mexico for $292 million.) The company is using what it learned from CocoCay to design the Mexico location, which would also have free and paid amenities. The same can't be said for the coming Royal Beach Club Collection. The inaugural Paradise Island resort will accommodate about 4,000 guests a day. All would have to pay to enter, which would it a strong revenue driver. For travelers, CocoCay is convenient, safe, amenity-rich, and beloved. For Royal Caribbean, the island is a source of demand and increased revenue. These private ports are a win-win all around, although competition could soon be stiff. Carnival Corp is also racing to expand its private port portfolio. The competing cruise giant plans to debut its $600 million private resort, Celebration Key, in 2025 and expand its existing private island, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, in 2026. It's already selling 2026 itineraries that include both destinations, starting at about $350 per person for a four-day sailing. Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas, is currently in the middle of an upgrade. The company is building a new pool and pier to keep up with all the competition for private resorts. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
First look: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas begins sea trials – here's everything we know so far
Royal Caribbean's latest Icon class cruise ship has begun sea trials as it prepares to launch this summer. The brand's newest vessel, Star of the Seas, is due to start hosting passengers from August 2025 on Caribbean sailings. The 5,610-capacity ship has touched water for the first time after it entered the sea trials phase of its construction in Turku, Finland. Over 11 days, more than 2,000 experts are testing everything from how the ship moves through the open water to engine performance and how it copes under pressure. The Royal Caribbean ship is being tested at speeds of up to 25 knots before entering the final phase of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku. Star of the Seas' maiden voyage is scheduled for 31 August around the western Caribbean for a week, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Cruise fares start at £1,289 per person. There are also shorter showcase sailings beforehand, including a three-night round-trip from Port Canaveral on 20 August that visits Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay, in the Bahamas, with fares starting from £796 per person. The vessel is the sister ship to Icon of the Seas, currently the world's largest cruise ship. With a gross tonnage of 248,633, Star of the Seas will be the same size as Icon. Passengers will find similar features to Icon of the Seas, such as an ice-rink, rock climbing wall, giant waterparks and slides on board, as well as 40 bars and restaurants to choose from. These include the Surfside neighbourhood, which features pools and arcades for the kids and bars for the adults. The ship is welcoming three new foodstands to its AquaDome Market, serving smoky pulled pork and beef brisket, Southeast Asian regional favourites such as pad thai and panang curry and South American staples including empanadas and arepas. There will also be a refreshed speciality Lincoln Park Supper Club on board, serving intimate meals with live entertainment on a 1930s Chicago-inspired theme. In the evening, passengers can enjoy the acrobatic Torque show in the AquaDome and watch the Back to the Future Musical in the Royal Theatre. You may even meet Star's on-board chief dog officer (CDO), Sailor, who lives on the ship.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
First look: Royal Caribbean's $600 million new private destination in Mexico
Giant sombreros and the longest lazy rivers and waterslides in the world have been revealed among key features of Royal Caribbean's latest private destination for passengers. The cruise brand is opening a new exclusive destination for its sailors on the Caribbean coast of Mahahual in Mexico. Royal Caribbean is reported to be spending $600 million redeveloping the land in Costa Maya. The 200-acre area will open in autumn 2027, welcoming 20,000 visitors daily for a Perfect Day experience where cruisers can enjoy the ship's facilities, such as food and entertainment, while relaxing on the beaches and exploring the area. Royal Caribbean already has a private island in the Bahamas that hosts its Perfect Day in CocoCay experience, featuring a waterpark and beautiful beaches, during Caribbean sailings. The Perfect Day Mexico experience will be available on western Caribbean cruises sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and all ports in Florida, with bookings opening this autumn. By 2027, Royal Caribbean said 90 per cent of its Caribbean cruisers will experience both a Perfect Day at CocoCay and Perfect Day Mexico during their sailings. Like CocoCay, it will be free to enter, but passengers will have to pay for extras such as the waterpark and beach club entry. Here is what passengers can expect during a Perfect Day Mexico experience. Royal Caribbean's ships will dock in Fiesta Plaza, where passengers will be greeted by live music and dancers. The area will host what is described as the world's largest sombrero atop the Tipsy Sombrero bar, welcoming visitors with margarita cocktails and beers. Guests will be able to discover 12 regionally inspired dining options, and most are complimentary. There are also 24 bars, including six swim-up bars, Mariachi performances, art installations, and local artisan shops for souvenir shopping. Loco Waterpark Similar to CocoCay, cruisers will be able to enjoy more than 30 waterslides across five towers. The waterpark will have the tallest waterslide tower – and waterslides – across North and South America, Royal Caribbean said. This includes the 170-feet-tall Jaguar's Peak duelling slides that last for two minutes and a raft slide designed for four to six people at a time. Additionally, the waterpark has hydrolaunch slides that shoot riders into the air and the world's first sombrero slide, modelled after Mexico's iconic sombrero. Younger passengers can also relax in adventure pools, a wave pool and mini slides. There will be a fee to enter this area. Splash Cove The site's central neighbourhood is called Splash Cove and will feature the longest lazy river in the world. There are multiple entry and exit points along the way, as well as float-up bars and a cupholder in every tube to stay hydrated The river also features an optional section with waves, rapids and spins. Other parts of Splash Cove include a 100,000 square foot pool – just one of Perfect Day Mexico's more than 10 expansive pools that together span the size of four football fields. Little ones also have their own area at Royal Caribbean's largest Splashaway Bay. Unlike the waterpark, this area will be free for passengers. El Hideaway If you want to get away from your own or other people's kids, you will be able to escape to the El Hideaway adults-only neighbourhood. It has a swim-up bar and an in-pool DJ station. You could even book an ultimate party cabana for 20 guests. Costa Beach Club Most of the beaches and swimming pools will be free for passengers, but you can also upgrade to a private cabana at Costa Beach Club. This will give you access to white sand beaches, a heated infinity pool and premium dining, as well as a personal cabana attendant. Chill Beach There will be almost two miles of white sand beaches at Chill Beach to just relax on, with complimentary loungers, umbrellas and towels. Michael Bayley, chief executive of Royal Caribbean, said: 'We're bringing our demonstrated history of unparalleled service and revolutionary innovation, everything our vacationers know and love, into our collection of destinations that offer more locally inspired perfect days and beachfront getaways. 'Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date. This destination will be the ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide.'
Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Seven of the best cruises to private islands
A private island or an exclusive beach resort is an enticing lure on big-ship sailings to the Bahamas and beyond. Cruise fans can't get enough of these custom-designed playgrounds, which offer a hassle-free beach day that's essentially an extension of the ship — no crime, usually cash-free and no hostility about overtourism. Call it sanitised, but this is the future of Caribbean cruising, with islands being added all the time. Here are seven to look out for. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises share the 125-acre Perfect Day at CocoCay, at the northern tip of the Berry Islands chain in the Bahamas and packed with superlatives. Families with young kids will love the Oasis Lagoon, the biggest freshwater lagoon pool in the Caribbean, while teens will probably make a beeline for the waterpark and Daredevil's Peak, one of the tallest waterslides in North America. A zip line, a wave pool and a tethered hot air balloon add to the thrills. There are various beaches — South beach is relatively quiet; the adults-only Hideaway beach has an all-day party vibe with DJs. Coco Beach Club is the poshest area, with Bora Bora-style overwater cabanas, each with a slide into the Three nights' full board on Celebrity Reflection's Bahamas and Perfect Day cruise from £292pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on March 20, 2026 ( Fly to Miami Hats off to MSC Cruises for its conservation efforts in converting a derelict sand-extraction site into a private island. On Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, about 20 miles south of Bimini, 75,000 plants have been established and more than 400 new sections of coral gardens created. That loggerhead turtles and other species have returned to the site is testament to the success of the project. Activities include snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and watching the nightly Junkanoo parade, a traditional and colourful celebration of Bahamian culture. But there are no lagoon pools or waterslides here. The ship's crew have their own beach Seven nights' full board on MSC Seascape's Bahamas and Caribbean cruise from £778pp, including tips, departing from Miami on June 29 ( Fly to Miami Another Bahamian paradise, between Eleuthera and Cat Island, Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay is a perfect crescent of white sand on the northwest side of Little San Salvador Island, between Eleuthera and Cat Island. Little San Salvador Island almost completely encircles the protected, 700-acre Bonefish Lagoon. There are extra thrills to be had from knowing that this was once a pirate hangout. This is a more low-key cay, with much of the island left to nature. There is snorkelling, kayaking on the lagoon, horse riding on the beach, cycling and nature walks on which you can try to spot the 40 species of bird that frequent the island. Rent a cabana, tuck into rolls from the Lobster Shack or send a postcard home from the tiny post Seven nights' full board on Nieuw Statendam's Eastern Caribbean cruise from £929pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on December 13 ( Fly to Miami • 10 of the best cruise lines for first-timers If French Polynesia weren't idyllic enough, Le Paul Gauguin, part of the French-owned Ponant line, has a private motu, or islet in the Society Islands, off the coast of sleepy Taha'a, which forms a bottle-green backdrop to a landscape of bone-white sand and topaz sea. Your day playing castaway is blissfully low-key. Snorkel, kayak, play beach volleyball, learn how to open a coconut or join a pareu-tying workshop. There are also massages in an overwater pavilion, as well as a beach barbecue and a floating bar serving Seven nights' all-inclusive on Ponant's Tahiti and the Society Islands cruise from £4,580pp, departing from Papeete on August 23 ( Fly to Papeete • 19 of the best Greek island cruises A stretch of beach, rather than an island, the 40-acre Princess Cays is on the southwestern side of long, skinny Eleuthera. There's a focus on sustainability here, from providing local farmers with select waste for animal feed to donating cooking oil to the community for biofuel. The souvenirs in the craft market are locally made too. Activities include snorkelling and kayaking, catch-and-release fishing, dune-buggy safaris and climbing the observation tower for views across the island. A lavish beach barbecue is included, while jauntily coloured beach huts are available to rent from £ Seven nights' full board on Star Princess's Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas cruise from £649pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 22 ( Fly to Miami Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye, one of two private resorts operated by the cruise line, is a 75-acre sliver of palm-shaded sand off the coast of Placencia on Belize, fringed by mangroves and with access for snorkellers to the corals of the Belize Barrier Reef. There are seven acres of sand on which to play, a zip line, a wildlife sanctuary and a huge, free-form pool. You can rent kayaks, bikes and paddleboards at extra cost or splurge £317pp on a private cabana. All the concessions here — from the bars and restaurants to the Moho chocolate shop — are locally run, so there's more engagement with the local community, but you'll need to bring Seven nights' full board on Norwegian Escape's Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye cruise from £949pp, departing from Miami on June 1 ( Fly to Miami • 19 of the best Caribbean cruise lines for 2025 Disney Cruise Line has Castaway Cay and last year opened a private resort at the tip of Eleuthera — the 900-acre Lookout Cay Lighthouse Point, where the emphasis is on sustainability and Bahamian culture. Less than 20 per cent of the land has been developed, leaving much of the space to nature, and Bahamians can use the facilities too. The beach is a seemingly endless expanse of pinky-white sand, with areas for families and Serenity Bay beach, for adults only. There's a cultural centre with twice-daily joncanoe shows, as well as children's play areas and appearances by Disney characters. Details Three nights' full board on Disney Dream's Bahamian Cruise from £684pp, departing from Fort Lauderdale on September 5 ( Fly to Miami
