Just back from Perfect Day At Coco Cay

[flannbarr]

We docked at Cococay on the Mariner this morning around 7am. Navigator was already docked. We went to breakfast in the dining room at 7:30am and off the ship around 8am. After a short walk to the pool area, we were poolside on our pick of chairs by 8:15am. It’s a beautiful “Perfect” day today at Cococay. My wife loves saying that!

 

We were here in early April when the pool was open but not the waterpark. The pool is great.

 

We bought our full day waterpark passes a few weeks ago for $24 per person. We feel lucky.

 

Our 16 and 17 year old boys just went to the waterpark. I first checked in with them by swiping at the entrance to the waterpark. Yes I had to also buy a waterpark pass so I could escort them in and yes it sure feels like total gouging. I plan on using the wavepool but not the slides. 

 

The staff said they will be able to get back into the waterpark throughout the day without me. 

 

Looking forward to a great day at Cococay.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2019 by flannbarr

[Ourusualbeach]

4 minutes ago, flannbarr said:

 

 

 Yes I had to also buy a waterpark pass so I could escort them in and yes it sure feels like total gauging. .

 

 

 

Definitely gouging especially since you don’t even have to be there and they can get back in on their own. 

[goodml]

So far, is today the only close-in itinerary that’s been changed to have both Mariner and Navigator at Coco Cay on the same day? Sailing next Friday and I’m wondering if this will be an ongoing change or if it’s a pilot to see how the island handles it. Just checking to see if I missed an announcement.

Edited May 25, 2019 by goodml

[SAmome]

3 minutes ago, goodml said:

So far, is today the only close-in itinerary that’s been changed to have both Mariner and Navigator at Coco Cay on the same day? Sailing next Friday and I’m wondering if this will be an ongoing change or if it’s a pilot to see how the island handles it. Just checking to see if I missed an announcement.

That particular combo will be common in 2020 and there have already been days of two ships there, even before waterpark opened to spread out crowds.  The island should be able to hold 2 ships that size.  

 

It's when they get around to having Oasis class and any other ship.......

 

http://crew-center.com/coco-cay-bahamas-cruise-ship-schedule-2019

 

[goodml]

8 minutes ago, SAmome said:

That particular combo will be common in 2020 and there have already been days of two ships there, even before waterpark opened to spread out crowds.  The island should be able to hold 2 ships that size.  

 

It's when they get around to having Oasis class and any other ship.......

 

http://crew-center.com/coco-cay-bahamas-cruise-ship-schedule-2019

 

 

Thank you.  I did see that but it wasn’t updated to reflect that they just changed Mariner’s itinerary this week to accommodate Symphony going there tomorrow.  I’m just wondering about the immediate upcoming itineraries and whether I missed an announcement.

Edited May 25, 2019 by goodml

[Dat Cruisin Couple]

35 minutes ago, goodml said:

 

Thank you.  I did see that but it wasn’t updated to reflect that they just changed Mariner’s itinerary this week to accommodate Symphony going there tomorrow.  I’m just wondering about the immediate upcoming itineraries and whether I missed an announcement.

 

June 5th - Grandeur and Adventure will be sharing the island - port load about 5,100. We have a Chill Island Cabana and don't plan on going near the water park, but I will let people how it feels.

[goodml]

1 hour ago, ChrisTheDBA said:

 

June 5th - Grandeur and Adventure will be sharing the island - port load about 5,100. We have a Chill Island Cabana and don't plan on going near the water park, but I will let people how it feels.

 

We’re there June 1st. As far as I know we’re still one ship.

[Welly9]

There on May 21st, only our ship the Nav OTS, it actually was Perfect, weather, crowds, food, music, drinks, access to apart of the island, cleanliness, beach/ocean, waterpark/slides...

Took the fam, 2 sons mid 20's and their gf's , they did the slides as my wife and I sat at the beach for 4 or 5 hrs, in n out of the water, Sun then shade etc, they said the slides were awesome! Best time was later in the day before boarding back to ship, about 2 hrs to 1 HR before, no lines! 

But all in all, was Perfect!

[Maplemoose]

Do they give you a paper map of CocoCay or do you have to make do with what you can find online? Trying to follow it on the phone is not the same thing. Or is there an online version that can be printed in a user-friendly size and resolution. 

[flannbarr]

A nice colorful brochure type map is placed in your room the night before you arrive in Cococay.

[coffeebean]

9 hours ago, flannbarr said:

We docked at Cococay on the Mariner this morning around 7am. Navigator was already docked. We went to breakfast in the dining room at 7:30am and off the ship around 8am. After a short walk to the pool area, we were poolside on our pick of chairs by 8:15am. It’s a beautiful “Perfect” day today at Cococay. My wife loves saying that!

 

We were here in early April when the pool was open but not the waterpark. The pool is great.

 

We bought our full day waterpark passes a few weeks ago for $24 per person. We feel lucky.

 

Our 16 and 17 year old boys just went to the waterpark. I first checked in with them by swiping at the entrance to the waterpark. Yes I had to also buy a waterpark pass so I could escort them in and yes it sure feels like total gouging. I plan on using the wavepool but not the slides. 

 

The staff said they will be able to get back into the waterpark throughout the day without me. 

 

Looking forward to a great day at Cococay.

 

 

Something is VERY WRONG with this scenario. Parents should not have to be an escort for their kids for their first time entering the park if after that, their kids can enter the park by themselves. Someone please explain this policy to me.

 

RCCL has not thought this one through. Folks need to revolt with their wallets!!!

Edited May 25, 2019 by coffeebean

[Iamcruzin]

10 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

Something is VERY WRONG with this scenario. Parents should not have to be an escort for their kids for their first time entering the park if after that, their kids can enter the park by themselves. Someone please explain this policy to me.

Canceling passenger's cabana's because they can fetch a higher price from another ship do to a last minute port change, the extreme pricing fluctuations and now this...... I don't think anyone has to worry about getting too much sun because this whole island experience seems to be shady.

[time4u2go]

31 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

Something is VERY WRONG with this scenario. Parents should not have to be an escort for their kids for their first time entering the park if after that, their kids can enter the park by themselves. Someone please explain this policy to me.

$$$

[blueridgemama]

 Is no one ever happy???

[Iamcruzin]

19 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

 Is no one ever happy???

About what? Being over charged?

[gatour]

Just back from the Symphony

 

I started a separate thread about smoking areas

 

It has been mentioned that it should be able handle two Oasis class ships at one time.  I am hard pressed to believe that.  While not filled to the gills, it was pretty well populated. An Oasis Class along with a smaller ship is doable

 

I forsee that the Wacky Seagull Junior Bar being replace with something bigger.  It was pretty busy with three and sometimes four bartenders attending the drinkers.

 

 

[CruiseWendy]

On 5/6/2019 at 1:37 PM, Jzx1103 said:

This is really getting me excited to experience Cococay even though I don't go until March of next year. The only bad thing I can see about my visit is that we go on our last day of cruise. So having to think about packing and vacation coming to an end while in Cococay may dampen the experience a bit. Wished it wouldve been our first stop instead of last stop.

It is a bummer. In February we had two cruises to choose from and decided on the one that did Perfect Day at the beginning of the trip for this exact reason. Although on the last day it's a good way to go out with a bang!

[JoeFan]

18 hours ago, coffeebean said:

Something is VERY WRONG with this scenario. Parents should not have to be an escort for their kids for their first time entering the park if after that, their kids can enter the park by themselves. Someone please explain this policy to me.

 

RCCL has not thought this one through. Folks need to revolt with their wallets!!!

 

I joined the revolution. I have a 15 & 16 year old. I canceled Up Up and Away balloon for 4 and Water Park Zip Line package for 2 because of this ridiculous policy. 

 

At $24 I might pay the tax to get the kids in. But our Water Park hasn't gone below $54. Screw that noise.

 

If they were all about Safety then they would let you sign them in without paying the tax or give a spectator band.

But I don't think it's hurting them. I have read many reviews of hour long lines for a slide. Also, screw that noise.

[CruiseWendy]

My 11 year old daughter and I will be going in July. My only "complaint" is that I had to buy a full day pass to be with her in the water park even though I will not be riding any of the slides. Be nice if they consider a parental pass at a reduced fair with no riding.  Maybe they take the lounger availability into consideration for the fee?? Looking for the best place to park myself and read a book while she has fun.

[gatour]

23 minutes ago, CruiseWendy said:

My 11 year old daughter and I will be going in July. My only "complaint" is that I had to buy a full day pass to be with her in the water park even though I will not be riding any of the slides. Be nice if they consider a parental pass at a reduced fair with no riding.  Maybe they take the lounger availability into consideration for the fee?? Looking for the best place to park myself and read a book while she has fun.

Water parks in Florida, charge the same price regardless if you actually use the slides etc.

 

While it can be made to work by using different colored wristbands, but that would require staffing the entrance of each slide etc.

 

Way back when, Disney sold a ticket booklet at that had A-E tickets.  You actually had choice of several different levels of ticket books.  The number of each A-E tickets varied for each booklet.  So one person can get a minimal booklet while others could get the full monty.  However, Disney eventually dropped the ticket books and went with the day pass concept.  They thusly could save money by not staffing each ride with ticket takers.  Ironically enough, with the fast pass and now fast pass+  system they are back to staffing the entrances with "ticket" takers.  However, I guess the math includes how much they are getting for entrance tickets (which have increased at a greater rate than inflation) and hotel rooms.

 

So yes it is about the money.

[crcossel]

20 hours ago, coffeebean said:

Something is VERY WRONG with this scenario. Parents should not have to be an escort for their kids for their first time entering the park if after that, their kids can enter the park by themselves. Someone please explain this policy to me.

 

RCCL has not thought this one through. Folks need to revolt with their wallets!!!

Great in theory but by son having an amazing vacation is more important than $60. Do I won’t revolt.

ill maybe do a couple slides in the morning and I’ll be thrilled that my kids had an amazing time

[coffeebean]

20 hours ago, time4u2go said:

$$$

I know it is all about the almighty dollar. That is why I suggest folks revolt with their wallets.

[DustFSU]

It goes on the same line as people that abused the alcohol package and would share it. You could say you’re not going to go on a slide or the wave pool and then you go in.  But people like to abuse things and ruin it for others. That is a good idea to use different color bands for a parent that just wants to watch/supervise their kids

 

[CRUISEFAN0001]

It's somewhat amazing that some folks fail to understand the concept of a dedicated water-park. There are numerous ones on the U.S. mainland, the rules there are essentially the same as on Coco Cay.

 

As others have pointed out...there is some form of pass for admission. People either get in or they don't.

 

Coco Cay is actually a bit unique, as there are "free" places on beaches and other spots on the island.

 

If someone want to cancel Coco Cay because of this common practice...that is (of course) their prerogative. It's their loss...rest assured that their action will not change anything. Wallet revolts only work if there are many people joining - hundreds or thousands - highly unlikely in this case. That's in the context of numerous water-parks in the Orlando, FL area that have increased prices drastically over the past 5-10 years, and enforce the daily-pass-only concept.  Nonetheless...they're usually quite full.

 

As for the roller-coaster pricing for Coco Cay activities...yes...that is indeed a wild ride. The solution is monitoring both the frequently-changing Cruise Planner pages and also one's email for notices of "special discounts".  Both happen with regularity. This weekend, we've actually seen one of the lowest prices offered again.

 

We landed our Thrill Water Park cabana multiple times over the past few months at multiple price points...and we seized the lowest price deal to date.  Prices floated up as high as $499 before we locked in $353.99 (seen one day only).  We've also see it at $373.99, $399.00, and $429.00. For $59.00/per person for the full day (with water-park admission included)...it's quite a value.

 

After seeing some folks show $1499.00 for the same cabana (on some Oasis-class ships at certain times) as a peak price...it's clear that with twice the passengers onboard as our ship (Navigator), supply & demand and port dates are the keys to the pricing model.

 

We've seen the same significant fluctuations in Internet and beverage packages.

 

It's also fair to assume that since Coco Cay's reopening is all still quite new...the booking results will likely lead to "tweaks" in the Royal pricing model...probably lower is some of the peak rates currently reported.

 

 

Edited May 27, 2019 by CRUISEFAN0001

[time4u2go]

37 minutes ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

It's somewhat amazing that some folks fail to understand the concept of a dedicated water-park. There are numerous ones on the U.S. mainland, the rules there are essentially the same as on Coco Cay.

With one big exception.  At Coco Cay, any child under 18 must have a paying adult accompany them.  At Disney's water parks (as an example), children 14 and older can attend without an adult.

Edited May 27, 2019 by time4u2go