I visited each Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay and Carnival’s Celebration Key in The Bahamas. Both non-public vacation spot is a superb addition to any cruise itinerary, however every comes with execs and cons.
Excellent Day at CocoCay opened in 2019 and gives a mix of thrill and chill experiences. The non-public island options crystal-clear seashores, unique seashore golf equipment, a surprising lagoon, and the large Thrill Waterpark.
Celebration Key, however, simply launched in July of 2025. In contrast to CocoCay, the vacation spot just isn’t by itself island. Relatively, it’s on a personal space of Grand Bahama Island.
Ashore, you’ll discover seashores, a sprawling lagoon, waterslides, swim-up bars, an adults-only seashore membership, and dreamy cabana leases.
I’ve been to Excellent Day at CocoCay 10 instances, however visited Celebration Key for the primary time final month. After spending eight hours ashore, I couldn’t assist however evaluate the 2 non-public locations.
From the swimming pools to seashores, meals, bars, and ambiance, right here’s how Excellent Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key in contrast.
For swimming pools, Celebration Secret is the clear winner
Undoubtedly, Celebration Key has essentially the most spectacular pool of any cruise line non-public vacation spot.
Oasis Lagoon at Excellent Day at CocoCay is a significant spotlight of Royal Caribbean’s island, measuring 33,175 sq. ft. But it pales compared to the lagoon at Celebration Key, which measures a whopping 275,000 sq. ft.
You learn that proper—Celebration Key’s lagoon is over eight instances bigger than CocoCay’s Oasis Lagoon.
The lagoon is break up into two sides: Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon.
Starfish Lagoon focuses on households. It’s the place you’ll discover Guppy Grotto, Celebration Key’s splash pad, which additionally contains a two-foot wading pool good for youthful cruisers. After all, there may be greater than sufficient area for adults to unwind at Starfish Lagoon, too.
Calypso Lagoon, nevertheless, is extra adult-focused. Right here’s the place you’ll discover Lengthy Necks Swim Up Bar, dwelling to the most important pool events on all of Celebration Key.
Though CocoCay’s Oasis Lagoon isn’t any stranger to events, it’s arduous to beat the stay DJ set and 166 in-water seats at Calypso Lagoon’s premier swim up bar.
Plus, the sheer measurement of Celebration Key’s lagoons make it straightforward to flee the crowds. I typically wrestle to seek out peace and quiet at Oasis Lagoon, however I might at all times discover a stress-free spot to swim at Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon.
Nevertheless, I choose the seashores at Excellent Day at CocoCay
Celebration Key could have Excellent Day at CocoCay beat in terms of swimming pools, however I choose seashores at CocoCay.
As a result of CocoCay is an island, there are seashores in each course. Celebration Key solely has seashores on one facet.
There are two seashores at Celebration Key: Starfish Seashore and Calypso Seashore. They’re successfully a single seashore (they’re on the identical 1-mile strip of sand), however are break up in half by the pier.
Don’t get me fallacious—the seashores at Celebration Key had been attractive. Regardless of the cloudy climate on my day ashore, the water was nonetheless a surprising shade of turquoise.
But I missed the number of seashores at Excellent Day at CocoCay. Every seashore gives completely different surroundings, atmospheres, and issues to do.
Associated: What you must count on on a go to to CocoCay
Chill Seashore, as an example, is standard with snorkelers, kayakers, and swimmers alike. South Seashore, however, is known for its floating tiki bar, making it a preferred spot for partygoers.
The principle focus of Celebration Key appears to be on the lagoon, whereas Excellent Day at CocoCay has a extra balanced mix of each seashores and swimming pools.
CocoCay wins for meals and drinks, providing loads of included choices
Each Excellent Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key provide a wide array of eating places and bars, however CocoCay supplies a extra inclusive expertise.
My foremost grievance at Celebration Key was the stingy eating and beverage guidelines. For starters, Carnival doesn’t honor drink packages ashore, so all drinks include an additional cost.
I didn’t cruise with a drink package deal on my go to, however this rule makes me even much less prone to buy one on future Carnival cruises. Why purchase a drink package deal once I can’t use it at Celebration Key?
Eating guidelines had been ungenerous, too. Carnival limits passengers to 1 free meal through the day, and any extra meals comes with an additional price.
There is no such thing as a buffet at Celebration Key. As a substitute, passengers can order complimentary meals at meals vans and at Captain’s Galley Meals Corridor, the vacation spot’s foremost eating venue. For an additional cost, company can dine at quite a lot of full-service sit-down eating places, too.
I used to be impressed by the number of complimentary meals choices, corresponding to Bahamian fish tacos and lamb shawarmas, however felt restricted by the strict eating guidelines.
For lunch, I grabbed a private pizza from Celebration Key’s foremost meals corridor. It was tasty, however I can’t think about it might hold all passengers full for a complete day ashore.
Happily, at Excellent Day at CocoCay, there aren’t any strict eating or beverage guidelines.
Drink packages work ashore, together with loyalty drinks for company in Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society. Likewise, meals usually are not tracked at CocoCay. Passengers are in a position to take pleasure in limitless meals and snacks all through the day.
Associated: 11 meals favorites at CocoCay that by no means disappoint
Generally, for instance, I’d seize mozzarella sticks at Snack Shack for a mid-morning snack, create build-your-own tacos on the buffet for lunch, and revel in a creamy cone of sentimental serve later within the afternoon.
At Celebration Key, I might by no means have such flexibility with out spending further.
Each locations provide equally spectacular cabana leases
What I really like most about cruise line non-public locations is how a lot is included in your cruise fare.
Whether or not at Excellent Day at CocoCay, Celebration Key, MSC’s Ocean Cay or Disney’s Castaway Cay, you may have a tremendous day ashore with out shelling out even a dime.
Nonetheless, some passengers take pleasure in buying add-ons to reinforce their port day, and one of the standard add-ons are cabana leases.
Associated: Information to CocoCay Cabanas
Each CocoCay and Celebration Key hire cabanas, and I’d argue that these leases are on even enjoying fields.
CocoCay’s Overwater Cabana on the Coco Seashore Membership is undoubtedly majestic. But the Over-The-Lagoon Tremendous Villa at Celebration Secret is simply as unforgettable. It features a sectional couch, bar, eating desk, hammock, in-water loungers, and a personal water slide.
There are additionally cabanas on the seashore at each non-public locations, however Celebration Key might need a slight edge as a result of variety of cabanas accessible with direct lagoon entry.
On the finish of the day, although, you may’t go fallacious with a cabana rental at both vacation spot.
CocoCay supplies extra thrills, whether or not at Thrill Waterpark or on the zip line
When evaluating Excellent Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key, the previous positively gives extra for adrenaline seekers.
You’ll discover Thrill Waterpark ashore, which is dwelling to a wave pool, journey pool, and over a dozen waterslides. The 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak slide is the tallest in your entire Caribbean!
Associated: Information to Thrill Waterpark at Excellent Day at CocoCay
The waterpark comes with an additional price. Costs differ by crusing, however sometimes vary between $80 and $160 per individual.
Different thrills at CocoCay embrace kayak leases, snorkel leases, jet ski excursions, a zipper line, and a helium balloon journey, all of which additionally price further.
There are a number of complimentary thrills included, too, which cater to youngsters. First is Splashaway Bay, which options splash buckets, small slides, and water sprayers. There’s additionally Captain Jill’s Galleon, a splash and water play space within the form of a pirate ship.
At Celebration Key, you’ll nonetheless discover some thrills, however the vacation spot caters extra towards leisure.
There are two waterslides, referred to as the Suncastle Racing Slides, which price $15 complete for limitless rides all through the day.
Celebration Key doesn’t provide a zipper line. As a substitute, you may guide excursions to close by Pirate’s Zipline and Water Park. That is exterior of Celebration Key, although, so you will have to go away the non-public vacation spot.
Leases inside Celebration Key embrace paddle boards, kayaks, and snorkel gear.
Between the 2, CocoCay wins for thrills based mostly on the sheer measurement of Thrill Waterpark. Although Celebration Key gives waterslides, it merely can’t evaluate to the quantity of issues to do at Thrill Waterpark.
Each characteristic adults-only retreats, however with completely completely different vibes
In the event you’re looking for a kid-free getaway, you’ll discover adults-only areas at each non-public locations.
I attempted the adults-only retreats at each CocoCay and Celebration Key, however they had been extra completely different than alike.
Hideaway Seashore is Royal Caribbean’s adults-only space at CocoCay, and it’s identified for its social gathering vibe. The unique space of the island can accommodate round 1,800 passengers.
Associated: Hideaway Seashore evaluate at Excellent Day at CocoCay
Right here, you’ll discover an 18,000-square-foot infinity pool, non-public seashore, two complimentary eating places, a bar with stay music, and quite a lot of cabana leases.
Cabanas embrace the Hideaway Cabanas, positioned close to the primary pool, and the Hideout Cabanas, which characteristic direct entry to a VIP infinity pool.
Admission to Hideaway Seashore varies enormously relying on the crusing, however you may count on to pay between $40 and $90 per individual. The price contains meals and fundamental drinks like water, however doesn’t embrace alcoholic drinks, soda, and mocktails.
At Celebration Key, the adults-only space known as Pearl Cove Seashore Membership. Whereas capability numbers haven’t been introduced, it is smaller than Hideaway Seashore.
On the whole, the ambiance of Pearl Cove Seashore Membership jogs my memory extra of CocoCay’s Coco Seashore Membership in comparison with Hideaway Seashore.
Associated: Coco Seashore Membership evaluate at CocoCay
Pearl Cove Seashore Membership options an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, non-public seashore, full-service restaurant, cabana leases, and quite a lot of bars, together with a swim-up bar.
The principle distinction between Pearl Cove Seashore Membership and Hideaway Seashore is the pricing mannequin.
Pearl Cove Seashore Membership gives three admission choices. The primary prices $100 and contains your entry and a welcome drink. The second, which prices $140, contains 10 drinks from a restricted menu. Lastly, the third prices $180 and contains 10 drinks along with an unique lunch on the Pearl Cove Seashore Membership restaurant.
Drinks usually are not included within the admission to Hideaway Seashore, though Royal Caribbean’s drink packages and loyalty drink vouchers work ashore.
After visiting each, I wouldn’t say one is best than the opposite. Hideaway Seashore positively gives extra of a celebration vibe whereas Pearl Cove Seashore Membership is extra akin to the tranquil ambiance provided on the Coco Seashore Membership.
Each Excellent Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key have execs and cons, however you may’t go fallacious with both
After visiting each non-public locations, I would not say that one is best than the opposite.
There have been positively some issues I preferred extra at Celebration Key than CocoCay, corresponding to the enormous lagoon and Lengthy Necks Swim Up Bar. Nevertheless, CocoCay gives extra inclusivity by honoring company’ drink packages and never limiting company to only one meal.
You actually can’t go fallacious with a day at both non-public vacation spot. Every gives the power to totally unwind with out the necessity to plan shore excursions or analysis the port prematurely.
Whether or not at CocoCay or Celebration, you may merely disembark your cruise ship and spend your entire day absorbing the tropical Bahamian solar.
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