Cruiseships

Adults Only Beach at Royal Caribbean Private Island Not Worth It, $86

I’ve cruised around the globe, however one among my favourite ports of name is Royal Caribbean’s non-public island within the Bahamas. The cruise line’s famend Good Day at CocoCay is likely one of the hottest locations in Royal Caribbean’s portfolio.

With entry to pristine seashores, freshwater swimming pools, solar loungers, swim-up bars, and extra, you’ll be able to take pleasure in an ideal seaside day. I most likely go to Good Day at CocoCay every year, as I dwell in Florida and cruise usually.

Like many company, I’m drawn to the non-public island for its security, comfort, and all-inclusive expertise. For example, your onboard drink bundle and loyalty drink vouchers can be utilized ashore at CocoCay – a favourite perk for a lot of.

In January 2024, Royal Caribbean expanded its non-public island with a brand new adult-only part referred to as Hideaway Seashore. Your complete part is kid-free and affords spectacular facilities for cruisers to take pleasure in all through the day.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to buy a move to Hideaway Seashore if you wish to spend the day right here. The price of entrance varies relying on demand, however costs may be as excessive as $99 per individual for admission.

I spent the day at Royal Caribbean’s new adults-only oasis on my current cruise. We had numerous enjoyable, however I’m unsure the fee we paid was worthwhile

To start out, we paid extra for our day move than others in our journey celebration as a result of we booked later

My husband and I made a decision a number of months in the past that we wished to affix my household on a 4-night cruise. We’d be cruising with my dad and mom, grandparents, aunt, and uncle for this crusing. The brief itinerary was aboard Utopia of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ship and newest Oasis class ship.

On the short itinerary, one among our two ports of name included a go to to Good Day at CocoCay. Everybody else in our journey group had already booked Hideaway Seashore a number of months earlier than we even determined to affix the cruise.

After I went to e book our admission, the fee was greater than I anticipated! Though they paid $30 every for his or her passes to Hideaway Seashore, we paid greater than double for our admission.

My husband and I ended up paying $173 for each of us to spend the day there, which is on the upper finish at $86.50 every. We had a $50 onboard credit score, which we used to deliver down the worth. This introduced the fee all the way down to $123, or $61.50 every.

With two ships scheduled to be in port today, the island would have hundreds of holiday makers. Hideaway Seashore solely has a capability for about 1,800 company. This ensures a extra unique expertise throughout the a couple of acre of beachfront property. All company must be 18 years or older to go to Hideaway Seashore.

Admission to Hideaway Seashore contains entry to the freshwater pool, swim-up bar, and seaside. You can too make the most of resort-style loungers, umbrellas, and in-water hammocks. Meals can be included as a step above what you’ll be able to entry elsewhere on CocoCay, with choices from Hideaway Hut and Slice of Paradise.

After stepping off the ship, we took the tram to Hideaway Seashore for comfort, because it was our first time visiting

As soon as we arrived at Good Day, we adopted indicators to Hideaway Seashore. We have been touring with my aged grandparents, so we appreciated the short entry to this tram. As well as, we weren’t precisely certain the place to go as first-timers.

We boarded the tram in a small ready space earlier than making our strategy to the doorway of Hideaway Seashore. The drive was very brief, most likely beneath two minutes. I’d guess it is round a five-minute stroll alongside a sandy path.

To enter Hideaway Seashore, you merely scan your SeaPass card. Reaching the adults-only space was a breeze between the signage, tram service, and fast entrance together with your cruise card.

We made our strategy to the heated pool first and grabbed a refreshing cocktail from the swim-up bar

Upon getting into Hideaway Seashore, my grandparents took a break from strolling to sit down beneath the massive shaded space. There have been a number of locations to relaxation, together with a big picket bench, together with padded couches, chairs, and tables. These in search of shade would respect with the ability to overlook the pool, palm bushes, ocean, and swim-up bar.

We headed straight for the swim-up bar, Hideaway Bar, and instantly appreciated the heated water. It was refreshing, however not too heat. I opted for a Bahama Mama cocktail first, using one among my free day by day Diamond Plus drink vouchers, whereas my husband ordered a piña colada.

The DJ was already enjoying celebration tunes, making a energetic environment within the pool. My husband and I favored the celebration music, however my dad and mom and grandparents discovered the music to be somewhat loud for his or her liking.

Surrounding the pool, there have been loads of in-water loungers and some daybeds, that are first come first serve. Supposedly, these are sizzling commodities and solely the primary few guests to Hideaway Seashore are capable of rating these coveted seats.

For individuals who need one thing extra non-public, you may as well lease two totally different sorts of cabanas. The Hideaway Cabanas are situated close to the pool, whereas the Hideout Cabanas are extra VIP and unique with their very own non-public pool. There are 10 cabanas obtainable for every part that accommodate as much as six company every. I didn’t really feel the necessity to spend more cash, as these price anyplace from $899 to $2,699.

The heated infinity pool was beautiful because it ignored the pristine seaside and ocean. We spent loads of time taking within the view of the ocean whereas having fun with drinks from the swim-up bar and listening to the celebration music.

Subsequent, we relaxed at On the Rocks, an open-air bar providing an ideal retreat with beautiful ocean views

Located alongside the rocky shore of the island is Hideaway Seashore’s latest bar, On the Rocks. The colourful bar featured dwell musicians enjoying seaside tunes all through the afternoon, which we loved whereas stress-free in comfy, padded chairs.

My grandparents particularly appreciated the al fresco bar, as they may see the ocean and take heed to the dwell music comfortably. You could possibly additionally play video games in case you wished, together with pool and shuffleboard.

On the Rocks was surprisingly quiet with few traces, permitting for fast bar service. The coconut mojito was completely blended right here! As a result of we scored a desk giant sufficient for everybody to loosen up comfortably, this was our dwelling base for the remainder of the day. Contemplating the sand can be too tough for my grandparents to navigate, this was an amazing space for these with mobility issues.

Hideaway Seashore has loads of seaside loungers and umbrellas obtainable, however many have been unused throughout our go to

A lot of the Hideaway Seashore company opted to spend their day within the heated pool somewhat than the seaside. The adults-only space options its personal seaside with a shallow lagoon, which seemed comparatively calm due to the cove form.

The seaside runs alongside the whole lot of Hideaway Seashore, and it’s simply one of many largest seashores at CocoCay. As a result of we visited in February, the ocean water was cooler. As Floridians, the ocean was too chilly for us to swim comfortably. Nevertheless, that didn’t cease others from floating, swimming, and stress-free within the ocean water.

There are numerous resort-style loungers and umbrellas alongside the shore of the seaside, though a lot of them have been unused. There have been additionally in-water hammocks and swings on the far finish of the seaside, which we didn’t get the chance to make use of. Nevertheless, my mother used one of many hammocks final yr and flipped over virtually instantaneously, so I used to be hesitant to strive it myself!

Surrounding the seaside have been lots of of loungers and umbrellas. I assume these are busier through the summer time months when the ocean water is hotter. Throughout our go to, the umbrellas and seaside chairs have been largely unused by company. There was no scarcity of chairs, and I can’t think about anybody would wish to battle for chairs.

Entry to Hideaway Seashore contains upgraded eating choices, together with ceviche and coconut shrimp

Meals is already included when visiting Good Day at CocoCay, with a wide range of eateries and Snack Shacks situated throughout the island, serving sizzling, recent, and quick meals. At Hideaway Seashore, company have entry to all the usual eating choices, together with a number of unique new menu objects.

Two eating places are included within the admission to Hideaway Seashore, together with Hideaway Hut and Slice of Paradise. One of many highlights of visiting Hideaway Seashore is the entry to coconut shrimp, fish sandwiches, ceviche, and pizza! As a result of there isn’t pizza obtainable elsewhere on the island, that is an thrilling addition.

My husband mentioned the coconut shrimp was improbable; he cherished it a lot, he had 20 shrimps all through the day! The pizza was nothing particular, and we thought Sorrento’s onboard was higher. Slice of Paradise additionally serves empanadas, which we didn’t strive.

I don’t eat seafood, so most of those upgraded meals choices weren’t interesting to me. I opted for the crispy hen sandwich with a aspect of basil mayo and crispy French fries. After all, I additionally needed to get a aspect of mozzarella sticks, one among my favourite objects at CocoCay!

For dessert, we tried the caramel brownie and funnel cake. It’s not on daily basis that you’ve limitless entry to recent funnel muffins – and it didn’t disappoint. The caramel brownie was additionally fantastically fudgy, dense, and chocolatey.

All of us appreciated the comfort of fresh services and facilities provided at Hideaway Seashore, too

Whereas spending the complete day at Hideaway Seashore, I used to be significantly impressed by the services and facilities provided all through. Nobody likes utilizing the lavatory after swimming in a pool, nevertheless it’s an inevitable cease you’ll have to make through the day.

I used to be considerably dreading needing to make use of a public toilet on the seaside, however I used to be assured the loos have been effectively maintained. On this means, I used to be impressed by the services and cleanliness of the loos obtainable. They have been additionally straightforward to entry from On The Rocks alongside a paved path, which we appreciated for our aged grandparents.

Ice water stations have been available close to the Hideaway Hut, permitting you to remain hydrated simply all through the day. Ice cream machines have been additionally accessible on this space, with an attendant serving up the cones all through the day. It’s not self-serve, however you will get as a lot as you need.

Complimentary lockers to retailer your belongings can be found for company to make use of, together with outside freshwater showers to rinse off.

I favored attempting one thing new, however I’m unsure Hideaway Seashore was price the fee

Having visited Good Day at CocoCay a number of occasions, I used to be keen to take a look at the brand new adults-only Hideaway Seashore. My dad and mom and sister had already skilled it and couldn’t cease raving about it.

Since we don’t have children, it was a refreshing change to take pleasure in a child-free retreat, particularly with so many households crusing aboard Utopia of the Seas. Your complete space feels extra unique than the remainder of the island. I usually spend my days at CocoCay lounging within the Oasis Lagoon and swim-up bar, which may get crowded shortly.

There have been extra folks in Hideaway Seashore than I had anticipated, nevertheless it didn’t really feel crowded or cramped. We discovered seating simply with out worrying about chair logs — a welcomed change for certain!

Nevertheless, I’m not satisfied that Hideaway Seashore is price paying over $100 per individual. My seafood-loving relations felt they acquired their cash’s price with the coconut shrimp, however since I caught to the usual meals choices, the worth wasn’t as apparent for me.

Attempting one thing new was enjoyable, particularly when my relations have been already planning to spend the day right here. We didn’t wish to be the one ones who didn’t go to Hideaway Seashore, so we’ll treasure the reminiscences with my household. As well as, my grandparents have been capable of maneuver the island simply with their walkers on paved walkways, which was worthwhile.

Sooner or later, I’m unsure I’d e book a move to Hideaway Seashore. If the worth was nearer to $30 per individual, this could possibly be price it. Nevertheless, I believe there are many complimentary facilities and locations to spend the day at CocoCay to take pleasure in your day.


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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