Royal Caribbean constructed arguably the very best cruise line non-public island expertise within the business, so why would you need to skip it and keep on the ship?
Skipping Excellent Day at CocoCay feels like sacrilege, and I felt the identical approach on my most up-to-date go to whereas crusing on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.
Imagine it or not, lots of people keep on the ship as a substitute of going to the island for a wide range of completely different causes. The impetus is much less about if CocoCay is price it or not, moderately, it is about balancing wants on the ship and what kind of a day you’d prefer to have.
It is a surprisingly frequent dilemma for cruisers, particularly those who have visited CocoCay greater than as soon as. Whereas Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as doable, there are a number of good causes to suppose twice about staying onboard.
I virtually skipped CocoCay, however I’m glad I didn’t, and right here’s why.
Do you have to keep on the ship at CocoCay?
If it appears loopy to skip your CocoCay day, it makes extra sense when you contemplate the benefits of it.
The very best motive to remain onboard is similar motive it is smart to not disembark in any port: the ship is approach much less crowded.
One of many regrets I had from my Icon of the Seas cruise was I actually did not get to spend a lot time within the swimming pools and waterslides. I booked so many issues to do within the ports we visited, together with CocoCay.
Due to how standard CocoCay is, your ship will really feel like you’ve it to your self when you determined to remain onboard. Most individuals do not begin returning to the ship till after lunch, so the morning hours are the very best time to make the most of quiet swimming pools and scorching tubs.
Plus, there isn’t any price to make use of the waterpark on Icon of the Seas in comparison with the island’s further price waterpark.
Another excuse to remain onboard is when you’ve been to CocoCay earlier than.
It’d sound jaded, however some individuals prefer to go to a port of name and expertise it, however the repeat worth won’t be there. Given what number of cruise ships now go to CocoCay on virtually each Caribbean itinerary, the possibilities you’ve got been there earlier than is sort of excessive.
And do you know the spa presents some nice offers when you keep onboard?
There are spa specials on daily basis, however the largest reductions are reserved for port days. There’s so few prospects prepared to return to the spa on a port day, that they are going to typically throw in additional freebies or further share off for companies you e book.
One other frequent motive I hear from cruisers why they keep on the ship is as a result of they merely desire shade and air-con to solar and sand.
I’ve to confess, I am a kind of individuals usually, as a result of I hate being scorching and sweaty.
While you go to CocoCay in the summertime, it may be stifling exterior between the temperatures and humidity.
Earlier than you write off CocoCay, let’s contemplate the highest causes you should not skip CocoCay.
The hype is actual, and Excellent Day lives as much as the explanation.
There are such a lot of unimaginable issues to do, and a lot of it’s included in your cruise fare. There are completely different seashores and swimming pools, and in addition actually good meals.
When you’ve got younger youngsters, I feel Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon are the proper spot to hang around and allow them to splash.
There’s volleyball courts, completely different bars to go to, dwell music to take pleasure in, and hammocks to take a nap in.
Plus, we’re speaking about picturesque Bahamian seashores which might be what lots of people envision with their trip. You need not spend further to take pleasure in it.
It is also straightforward to neglect getting off the ship doesn’t suggest you must spend all day there.
It’s straightforward to go for only a couple hours and return to the ship, providing you with a style of what is provided with out committing to a complete day.
What I truly did — and why
I in the end spent my day at CocoCay, however I went with a promise to myself.
We booked a seashore cabana for my household to take pleasure in, due to a Black Friday sale that considerably discounted the value. Not solely that, it was situated within the Coco Seaside Membership and the meals there alone is price going.
Whereas it is true you do not have to spend further to have a very good time, the improbable low cost made it too good of a deal to go up.
Plus, it meant we may take pleasure in a soothing day with out worrying about vying for a seashore lounger elsewhere on the island.
It is also my persona to get a little bit of “cabin fever” after a sea day. I actually take pleasure in being off the ship for a bit.
However the deal I made with myself was I wasn’t going to fall prey to the “I paid rather a lot for this trip and we’re gonna have a very good time, or else” dad trope.
Positive, I received a very good worth, however that meant my “break even” worth level can be decrease. Once we felt sufficiently relaxed, we might return with out attempting to justify the worth to myself.
Because it turned out, we spent extra time at our cabana than I imagined, and that is as a result of we had very snug climate with low humidity and it wasn’t that scorching out. Being we cruised over spring break, it meant the climate was a lot milder than I anticipated.
If I used to be going to have stayed onboard, I’d have gone again in time and performed that in Cozumel as a substitute.
My splendid “half-day” technique
In the event you’re additionally teetering on what to do, this is what I might advocate doing. In truth, I am going to do precisely this on my subsequent go to to CocoCay whereas visiting on the model new Star of the Seas this summer season.
Splitting your day and simply going for the morning is a superb compromise.
Getting up early and off the ship as near when the gangway opens means you get to benefit from the cooler temperatures and a far much less crowded begin to the day.
Often ships dock fairly early, generally by 7:30am, so when you may be off the ship by 8am, you may have your choose of the place to go and sit. There can be hardly anybody round.
In truth, you possibly can head to Oasis Lagoon and seize one of many coveted in-pool loungers which might be obtainable on a first-come foundation.
Regardless of the place you go, it should be a lot much less crowded out and in of the water. In the event you plan to snorkel, this needs to be your plan as a result of the water will get cloudier later as soon as individuals begin kicking up sand.
Take pleasure in your morning, and head again to the ship both earlier than lunch, or proper after it.
In the event you’re again on the ship by 1pm, you possibly can nonetheless make the most of much less crowds onboard on the swimming pools and waterslides. And you will have already got your bathing swimsuit on!
Or, e book a spa appointment. These port day specials apply within the afternoon too!
I feel that is the proper technique for anybody that desires to attempt CocoCay with out committing to the a day.
You do you
There is not a proper or incorrect reply when you ought to keep on the ship at CocoCay. It simply issues what’s extra vital to you.
I feel it is vital to weigh your individual preferences, and never be swayed by standard opinion.
Skipping CocoCay might sound unusual to even contemplate, however you will not be alone. There can be different company round and the numerous amenities will stay open, together with bars, the pool, and Windjammer buffet.
However you must also not have a look at your CocoCay day in absolutes. Being versatile and getting into for simply the morning is a superb third alternative, since you’re not locked into an all-day factor.
Even when you’re on the fence, simply give it an hour. You would possibly fall in love with it like I did.