Help with Cococay Decision

[Tonopah]

We have a 3 day getaway scheduled for next year in celebration of a relative’s wedding.  I need to decide between two extreme options for Cococay.

We have zero interest in the water park, rides, or crowds. We could splurge on a cabana in a quiet(er) area or we can just stay on the ship. There are two of us. Most of the attendees are looking forward to drinking and partying (as they should be!) but it just isn’t our thing.

 

So what do you think? Spend 3X the amount of the cruise on a cabana or stay on the ship and do something else? Or maybe there are other options you can suggest? 

[BirdTravels]

Or just go to the beach. 
 

Or do a mini splurge on the coco cay club. 

[zekekelso]

If it really is just the two of you, I’d stay on the ship. Staying on ship in port can be a ton of fun. But is there any chance the others wouldn’t want to join you. Even if partying most of the time on the cruise, having a chill day in a cabana is darn nice. 

[Coralc]

Why don't you take your beach bag and walk around? There are plenty of loungers everywhere and quiet shaded places without a cabana. If nothing strikes your fancy as a place to hangout for a while, you can always get back onboard.  You don't need a cabana or a visit to the water park to just enjoy the day. 

[sailor05]

5 minutes ago, Coralc said:

Why don't you take your beach bag and walk around? There are plenty of loungers everywhere and quiet shaded places without a cabana. If nothing strikes your fancy as a place to hangout for a while, you can always get back onboard.  You don't need a cabana or a visit to the water park to just enjoy the day. 

I've seen pictures of the loungers with umbrella's, are those free? Is there usually enough to go around? I was thinking about getting one of the beds, but honestly think the loungers with umbrella's would be almost as nice.

[Jimbo]

Upgrade to a nice Suite on the ship with that money and enjoy that or splurge on something in the spa..........Cheaper prices on Port Days.

[reallyitsmema]

I wouldn't spend money on a cabana, I would get off the ship though.  Just go to the left when you get off the pier and there are lots of quiet places to enjoy the island.  You can find chairs or a hammock to just relax.  

[CruiseBride926]

I’d get off and at least check it out. We just grabbed a few loungers and found it to be fairly quiet until we decided to take the kids to the pool. Definitely much more of a party atmosphere over that way. You can also look into the beach club. It’s cheaper then a cabana and comes with lunch at the restaurant.

[reallyitsmema]

14 minutes ago, sailor05 said:

I've seen pictures of the loungers with umbrella's, are those free? Is there usually enough to go around? I was thinking about getting one of the beds, but honestly think the loungers with umbrella's would be almost as nice.

 

The loungers with the umbrellas are first come first served.  I have never had an issue getting lounges, even with two ships there.

[Coralc]

15 minutes ago, sailor05 said:

I've seen pictures of the loungers with umbrella's, are those free? Is there usually enough to go around? I was thinking about getting one of the beds, but honestly think the loungers with umbrella's would be almost as nice.

The clamshells aren't free, but just regular umbrellas that are set up are free. 

[Iamcruzin]

22 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Upgrade to a nice Suite on the ship with that money and enjoy that or splurge on something in the spa..........Cheaper prices on Port Days.

I agree. I would book a higher category stateroom before I pay 3x's the amount of the cruise price to sit in a cabana for a few hours. More perks with the suite than with a cabana. 

[tcrandal]

52 minutes ago, Tonopah said:

We have a 3 day getaway scheduled for next year in celebration of a relative’s wedding.  I need to decide between two extreme options for Cococay.

We have zero interest in the water park, rides, or crowds. We could splurge on a cabana in a quiet(er) area or we can just stay on the ship. There are two of us. Most of the attendees are looking forward to drinking and partying (as they should be!) but it just isn’t our thing.

 

So what do you think? Spend 3X the amount of the cruise on a cabana or stay on the ship and do something else? Or maybe there are other options you can suggest? 

It's hard to answer. I just made a choice this week to splurge on the over water cabana for 3 of us. Only you can answer if it is worth it. I can only tell you what played into my decision. 

 

The money, while excessive for what you get, gives you an exclusive experience that I think would be a special experience. In all honesty, logic sometimes gets thrown out the window as one could blow $1000 in the casino without a blink, but think a bit too hard about splurging on something that gives a great memory. If the money isn't an issue, just the excessive cost, go for it.. 

 

I also am considering the possibility of splitting the cost with others, but the more I think about it, the more I just want to relax and enjoy the quiet. Our 15 year old son will be with us too, so with just us, it's not going to be that great for him, obviously better with a friend. 

 

You only live once, if circumstances allow, do as many special things as you can!

 

Edit: I will say a suite upgrade would be a better way to splurge if not already in one. 

Edited May 30, 2021 by tcrandal
Update.

[Jimbo]

17 minutes ago, tcrandal said:

You only live once, if circumstances allow, do as many special things as you can!

 

 

Go to the spa and see if they have this: Couples Rasul Treatment

If they do it will be well worth the Money and it's something you will never forget  🙂

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by Jimbo

[cruiserking]

I would skip the cabana. I agree with others a suite upgrade would be a great idea. With a Grand Suite or above you would access to the

 

-concierge lounge with complementary evening cocktails,

-a private sun deck,

-reserved seats in the theater,

-private breakfast dining room (usually one of the specialty restaurants and often just a few tables occupied at one time),

-private lunch seating, main dining room menu available for in suite dining 

-Bridge, Galley and Backstage tours

 

There's usually a suite luncheon at Coco Cay but, not sure if they feature it on shorter sailings. The Coco Cay Beach Club would be a decent mini-splurge without breaking the bank at approx $150 per person. 

 

Have a great cruise. 

 

Jonathan

[Bailey & Sophie]

1 hour ago, Tonopah said:

We have a 3 day getaway scheduled for next year in celebration of a relative’s wedding.  I need to decide between two extreme options for Cococay.

We have zero interest in the water park, rides, or crowds. We could splurge on a cabana in a quiet(er) area or we can just stay on the ship. There are two of us. Most of the attendees are looking forward to drinking and partying (as they should be!) but it just isn’t our thing.

 

So what do you think? Spend 3X the amount of the cruise on a cabana or stay on the ship and do something else? Or maybe there are other options you can suggest? 

 

What's the contingency plan if it rains?

[RedIguana]

Florida native here, grew up a 10 minute walk to the beach in Ft Lauderdale (LBTS and Anglin's pier) Fished and dived all my misspent youth. I remember coco cay from 2000, when it was pretty much an unspoiled island. I haven't been since the upgrade, but I think they ruined the island. Hopefully there is still an unspoiled part to walk. To spend big bucks on anything to do with a beach blows my mind. I do understand how those from inland areas that never see a beach consider it amazing though. That is why they can get hundreds of dollars for them. 

        No reason to stay on the ship the whole time though. Get off for an hour or two, have lunch on the island, and try to find the part that they haven't developed to enjoy a nice 30-40 minute walk. (used to be some nice flats to walk). Just remember to put sunscreen on your feet if you are not used to having your feet exposed to tropical sun (ask my ex wife about that:).

 

     

[Tonopah]

29 minutes ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

What's the contingency plan if it rains?

I hadn’t thought of that but rain doesn’t bother us. Lightning would keep us out of the water, though.

[csnarpy]

 get a day bed. by far my favorite.

[Tonopah]

5 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

Florida native here, grew up a 10 minute walk to the beach in Ft Lauderdale (LBTS and Anglin's pier) Fished and dived all my misspent youth. I remember coco cay from 2000, when it was pretty much an unspoiled island. I haven't been since the upgrade, but I think they ruined the island. Hopefully there is still an unspoiled part to walk. To spend big bucks on anything to do with a beach blows my mind. I do understand how those from inland areas that never see a beach consider it amazing though. That is why they can get hundreds of dollars for them. 

        No reason to stay on the ship the whole time though. Get off for an hour or two, have lunch on the island, and try to find the part that they haven't developed to enjoy a nice 30-40 minute walk. (used to be some nice flats to walk). Just remember to put sunscreen on your feet if you are not used to having your feet exposed to tropical sun (ask my ex wife about that:).

 

     

We are also from a tropical area with access to the beach, so it isn’t something we need, for sure. Maybe we will just get off the ship, wander around, have lunch, and back to the ship. 

[Missusdubbya]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Or just go to the beach. 

^ this

 

2 hours ago, sailor05 said:

I've seen pictures of the loungers with umbrella's, are those free? Is there usually enough to go around? I was thinking about getting one of the beds, but honestly think the loungers with umbrella's would be almost as nice.

yes and yes 

[HUNKY]

I'd send your son to the water park so you and the other half can have quiet time wherever (ship or shore).  Most likely he will have found a friend or two to hang out with.

[Ashland]

16 minutes ago, HUNKY said:

I'd send your son to the water park so you and the other half can have quiet time wherever (ship or shore).  Most likely he will have found a friend or two to hang out with.

Doesn't an adult have to accompany them at that age?

[matj2000]

I think you should get passes for the waterpark..

[Cruise a holic]

9 hours ago, Tonopah said:

We have a 3 day getaway scheduled for next year in celebration of a relative’s wedding.  I need to decide between two extreme options for Cococay.

We have zero interest in the water park, rides, or crowds. We could splurge on a cabana in a quiet(er) area or we can just stay on the ship. There are two of us. Most of the attendees are looking forward to drinking and partying (as they should be!) but it just isn’t our thing.

 

So what do you think? Spend 3X the amount of the cruise on a cabana or stay on the ship and do something else? Or maybe there are other options you can suggest? 

Best to go to the beach club on cococay.  It is wonderful.  You have very comfortable, uncrowded seating and a deluxe lunch.  Under $100 pp. depending upon when a sale is offered.  A great compromise as the cabana's pricing is obscene IMO.

[mek]

Is there easy access to everything at the Beach Club for a person with mobility issues?  My husband needs a transport chair to get around and if there is pavement then I'm good to be able to push him  but we have to go through sand, then that is a problem.