New US$250 million private island offers waterparks, beaches, dining venues and much more
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International has officially opened Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in its new collection of private island destinations around the world.
Built as part of a US$250 million transformation of Royal Caribbean’s existing private island of CocoCay in The Bahamas, the new Perfect Day destination offers various first-of-their-kind attractions for cruise guests.
Highlights include dining venues like Captain Jack’s and Skipper’s Grill; a 1,600-foot zip line that crosses the island at 50 feet above the ground; and Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, which has a swim-up bar, in-pool loungers and private onshore cabanas. Elsewhere, a tethered ‘Up, Up and Away’ helium balloon will take guests up to 450 feet above the ground, giving them the highest vantage point in The Bahamas.
Thrill Waterpark offers a child-friendly obstacle course pool, Splash Summit with six multi-rider slides, a large wave pool and two water towers with 13 slides – the most in any Caribbean waterpark. One is the 135-foot-high Daredevil's Peak, which is the tallest waterslide in North America.
Perfect Day at CocoCay will also have two distinct beach areas. Designed for relaxation, Chill Island offers the destination’s largest dining venue, cabanas, daybeds, beach bars, snorkelling, jet ski excursions and more. Meanwhile, South Beach has facilities for volleyball, basketball, soccer and paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing, as well as the Snack Shack, a floating bar and beachfront cabanas.
This December, Royal Caribbean will also open the exclusive Coco Beach Club, which will have the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas, a 2,600-plus-foot beachfront infinity pool with in-water loungers, a Mediterranean dining venue and a deck area with cabanas and daybeds.
“Royal Caribbean is the proven leader when it comes to pushing the envelope in cruise ship design and the experiences offered at sea,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “With Perfect Day at CocoCay, we are so proud to bring our 50-year legacy of innovation ashore to transform an incredible island that now completely revolutionises private destinations in the vacation industry. It is exciting to see what we have dreamed up finally come to life; our guests truly are in for an experience unlike any other.”
Eleven of Royal Caribbean’s ships will offer calls at Perfect Day at CocoCay as part of their itineraries from ports in Florida and the Northeast.