Coco Cay vs. Labadee: Royal Caribbean Private Destination Showdown
Royal Caribbean has not one, but two private destinations in the Bahamas and the Caribbean that its many ships call at during various itineraries. Perfect Day at Coco Cay, formerly just “Coco Cay,” is a private island has been re-christened over the past few years after a $250 million renovation that saw the addition of tons of water park attractions, private beach destinations, a sightseeing balloon, and more. Labadee, the line’s first private destination, is technically a peninsula in Haiti, which has a marquee attraction in the Dragon’s Breath, the longest zip line over water in the world.
What To Do at Coco Cay and Labadee
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On Coco Cay, there are dozens of things to do, both free and for purchase. First, the free activities. Most beach chairs are first come, first serve on its many beaches, and are free for the day (as well as umberellas). On my two visits to the island, I made sure to be one of the first ones off the ship and walked over to South Beach where the floating beach bar is. The Oasis pool is a lagoon-style pool which is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It’s great for having drinks or playing in all day, and that’s completely free to use as well. There is a small shipwreck splash pad right as you get off the ship that’s free to use, and if you bring your own snorkel equipment, there’s a smallish reef on the east side of the island. Most beach activities like volleyball, cornhole, basketball, and ping pong are also completely free. As a bonus, if you’ve paid for a beverage package on the ship, it extends on shore to Coco Cay, which is great for the drinkers on board. Food is free, except for items at Captain Jack’s, which are priced per item.
As I mentioned, Royal Caribbean spent over $250 million on the island in the last few years, so you’ll definitely see many attempts to monetize every last sailor that lands on Perfect Day at Coco Cay. For one, the Thrill Waterpark is an extra charge to enter, and you’ll pay somewhere between $50 and $200 per person, depending on the sail date of your cruise and when you purchase in the app. One major tip: if you see a price you like, book your tickets- you can always cancel and rebook at a lower price if there happens to be a sale. I’ve managed to save a ton of money booking tickets over sales like Black Friday or major holidays. Check every week for your cruise!
In addition to that experience, you have the zip line, Up, Up and Away balloon, Coco Beach Club, and island activities like jetskis, stand up paddleboards, and snorkeling that are an extra charge. The priciest is going to be the overwater cabanas, which are located off of South Beach. Prices for these are in the four figures (think over $2,000 per day for up to 8).
At Labadee, you’ll have a lot more laid back experience. Free things include beach chairs/umbrellas, nature trails, swimming, and lots of beach activities like volleyball, ping pong, etc. For upcharge attractions, the biggest is going to be the Dragon’s Breath zip line, which ranges between $100-$200 for your cruise. The Dragon’s Tail mountain coaster is about $20 per ride (though this can go on sale as well) and pretty fun, in my opinion! There are several off-peninsula excursions like snorkeling, private sand island beach getaways, and jetskiing. Be sure to check your Royal Caribbean app when you book your cruise for all the options available to you. Finally, you’ll also have several cabana options, including Nellie’s Beach. If you’re a Pinnacle guest or staying in a Grand Suite or above, the Barefoot Beach Club also has cabanas to rent.
Food and Drink at Coco Cay and Labadee
Food and drink is pretty fun at both destinations. Coco Cay has a few buffet stations sprinkled throughout the center of the island, with complimentary tacos, burgers, hot dogs, and desserts. Free drinks include fountain water, lemonade, and fruit punch. There are also several “snack shacks” near the beaches with a separate made-to-order menu, including a very delicious chicken sandwich. Speciality drinks like alcohol, sodas, etc are not included, but are if you have the beverage package on board. There’s also Captain’s Jack’s, which has separately priced bar menu items like wings and onion rings. Finally, if you’re paying to enter the Coco Beach Club, you’ll have a lobster and filet mignon lunch, which is included in the entry fee.
On Labadee, you’ll have a beach bbq available to you (slightly better if you’re at Barefoot Beach Club). Drinks are an extra charge, and I found the drink prices to be pretty expensive (think $10 a local Haitian beer).
