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$250m Perfect Day experience opens at CocoCay

Thrill Waterpark
In Thrill Waterpark, two towers sprout 13 waterslides. Pictured here is Dardevil's Tower with North America's tallest waterslide
Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay — the first in the cruise line’s new Perfect Day Island Collection of private destinations around the world — is now open.

Thrills and chill

The $250m transformation of Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas debuts a combination of thrills and chill. Thrill-seekers can plunge down the tallest waterslide in North America and rise 450 feet in the air in the Up, Up and Away helium balloon and conquer the Caribbean’s largest wave pool. For those looking to relax, Perfect Day features the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, Oasis Lagoon; and pristine, white sand beaches with crystal-clear tropical water.

'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 revolutionizes private destinations in the vacation industry,' said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. '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.'

Last week the company said yields for cruises that include Perfect Day at CocoCay pre-booked experiences are up double-digits versus the same sailings a year ago.

From ports in Florida and the Northeast, vacationers can visit the private island destination by sailing on 11 Royal Caribbean ships which themselves offer thrills like surfing, skydiving, ice skating and the tallest slide at sea.

Thrill Waterpark

At the heart of Perfect Day at CocoCay is Thrill Waterpark, where two towers sprout 13 waterslides, along with the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and the Adventure Pool with a family-friendly obstacle course.

In Daredevil’s Tower adrenaline junkies can push their limits on seven single-rider waterslides of various heights, including the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. Additional highlights are the twin Dueling Demon drop slides, launching riders from a vertical position; the Manta Raycers, where friends can race down twin open flume slides; the high-speed, fully vertical Screeching Serpent; and the coiling Green Mamba, a massive aqua tube slide.

In Splash Summit adventurous families will share the thrill with six multi-rider slides, including The Slingshot, a zero-gravity slide for four; The Twister, a winding tube slide for two on a tandem raft; and the four-lane Splash Speedway racing slides.

In Wave Pool vacationers can ride the tide at the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, where a timer on the back wall counts down to the start of big waves.

Adventure Pool, an interactive obstacle course on water, features floating lily pads, a rock-climbing wall and two swing ropes for bouncing, climbing and swinging.

Up, Up and Away 

This colorful helium balloon, tethered to the ground by cable, floats up to 450 feet, allowing riders to take in the island from the highest vantage point in The Bahamas and capture the ultimate selfie.

At the Caribbean's largest freshwater pool, sunbathers can make their way through three distinct coves, each with a vibe of their own, and swim to the beat of an underwater sound system. Families with small children can splash through water features and jump into the excitement at the kid-friendly beach entry.

On the south side of Oasis Lagoon, pool-goers can sip a frosty Coco Loco at the expansive swim-up bar, catch some rays on one of three swim-up islands with in-water loungers or treat themselves to total relaxation in a private cabana, complete with its own attendant.

Dining harborside

At Captain Jack’s, the island hangout and meet-up spot, visitors can grab a drink at the rowboat bar, settle into a rope swing seat or snack on the house specialty, chicken wings and fries dipped in signature sauces like mango-habanero and Caribbean jerk.

Skipper’s Grill serves complimentary lunchtime favorites like salads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, fresh fruit and desserts.

For younger children

Perfect Day at CocoCay has attractions for younger kids, too. From three dry slides and 16 water cannons, to rope features and a splash pad, Captain Jill’s Galleon is an interactive play structure loaded with swashbuckling thrills.

Splashaway Bay provides fountains, sprinklers and geysers plus two massive drench buckets and five waterslides, including three racers. Located along the harbor between Captain Jack’s and Skipper’s Grill, this complimentary attraction offers plenty of seating and tables for families.

1,600-foot zip line

A 1,600-foot-long zip line crisscrosses the island, beginning near the arrivals plaza and ending across the harbor. 

Chill Grill, the largest dining venue at CocoCay, serves beachside dining at shaded picnic tables on the sand. There are also jet skiing excursions, cabanas and daybeds for relaxation under the shade. Beach bars are served by roaming bartenders.

South Beach games

Action-packed South Beach offers volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer, paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing in an inflatable zorb ball. After working up an appetite, passengers can grab a bite at the Snack Shack or wade out to the floating bar to cool off with a drink. Beachfront cabanas provide lounging in the shade.

Still to come

Among the final experiences to be completed, Coco Beach Club is set to open in December. There, travelers will experience upscale oferings like the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas, each with its own slide into the ocean, overwater hammock, shower and dedicated attendant.

Spanning an expansive 2,600-plus feet, a beachfront infinity pool will provide in-water loungers for a Zen experience.

Beachside cabanas and daybeds will be available in the Club and deck area. Elsewhere, an exclusive dining venue will serve freshly made Mediterranean fare with a side of ocean views.