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This breaks my heart. Three cruises last year, two this year with Royal caribbean and I believe my Royal Caribbean run is over. Their current prices are outrageous.
Unfortunately, I'm sure they know what they're doing. They want to keep the waterpark from being busy, so they discourage people from buying passes through price gouging instead of limiting the amount of tickets bought
We booked a cruise to Coco Cay next spring break and at those prices it's going to cost our family $1000 to go to the waterpark. We told the kids no, and they're disappointed, but a teacher and public servant can't afford those kind of prices for 5-6 hours of waterslides (which I've heard are an hour wait for each slide). We're going to bring some snorkel gear and make the most of what's complimentary.
Very good move, as you kids get older they'll appreciate you not dipping into their college funds for a quick slide into some water. Have a brilliant time!
An hour wait? My family went during spring break and there were no long lines at all. We literally did the slides over and over. I guess it's hit or miss.
@@iwitherspoon were you the only ship in port? Small ship? We're going to be there on a day with an Oasis class and a Quantum class are there together.
@luluballoon I'm not a fanatic so I don't even know the class. It was Freedom of the Seas and we were not the only ship. But I couldn't tell you which one. I didn't pay attention that much. I know it was bigger than ours. There were plenty of people there. We just didn't experience long lines. Maybe people didn't want to pay.
Did disney this past March and said I'm done. Decided to take the family on freedom of the seas over Easter break and it's looking like it will be the same thing with the outrageous prices. Ugh
You start to realize that Disney prices aren't that bad. At least you get the full disney immersive experience. Not just some drunk/neglectful parent paradise
We went to Coco Cay and we didn't spend a dime!! The chairs are free and the food is free. The shuttles are free too!! We took our towels, backpack with water - not needed since water, soda and juice was free and our personal snorkel gear. We had hours of fun.....for free. We were shocked at how substantial the buffet was. Multiple stations serving different foods. It was almost like the Windjammer buffet on the ship. Of all 4 excursions on our RC cruise, Coco Cay was the best!
As long as people keep paying for it, they'll keep charging for it. This has to be a poorly thought out attempt at raising a few extra dollars to try and offset the huge losses during the cruise shutdown. Trouble is, it will backfire. Loyalty is free to gain and expensive to lose.
It could also be a well thought out attempt to keep the crowds in the water park at some "optimal" level while squeezing the most money for those limited spaces.
@@lolal1026 Bailouts? From what, the COVID shutdowns? I'm afraid not, they had to sell off assets and take out loans, some of which are getting higher and higher rates.
I’m stunned at the prices for that water park. I think if I had kids aged 10-17 I probably wouldn’t go on a Royal Caribbean cruise that stops at Coco Cay because I know they’d be extremely disappointed that I wouldn’t pay for the water park! The nickel and dining of Royal Caribbean is becoming extremely annoying.I think I’d rather just pay a little more for a cruise line that includes most things than to constantly feel like I’ve got to open my wallet to participate in anything.
Exactly! A day pass ticket for all 3 Universal Parks in Orlando is MUCH cheaper than a day pass to this water park. Th pricing of the Cococay water park is seriously the stupidest thing I’ve come across in researching our next family vacation. DEFINITELY not worth sailing Royal Caribbean. With all the added on costa, forget it!! There’s just too much to keep track of. The beauty of cruises used to be ONE price, everything included. More relaxing. Less worrying. Now it’s like the airlines. You have to be careful which cruise line you sail with and know all the costs up front because a less expensive cruise line could end up being far more expensive in the long run if you’re not careful.
Don't choose NCL then 😅 I've always heard they're the worst at nickel and diming everyone! Way worse than RCL! I've booked my first Carnival cruise for this year. We'll see how they do! I've only ever sailed RCL and Costa
Don’t let that put you off your cruise. I’d take my kids but say can’t afford the waterpark. But you can do 3 theme/water parks when we get back another time. Or you can do this one park instead if you really want. I know my kids would choose 3 over 1 even if it does look enticing on the day.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon costs $69/adult, and it's open from 10 am to 8 pm daily. I live in Florida in a coastal county that has 74 miles of central Florida coastline. I just can't wrap my head around ever paying that much to go to a "water park" with a couple of slides. I know not all cruisers have that, but RC has gone crazy with those prices.
We have teenage boys and are travelling on RC Symphony for the first time in the fall. This will be our first time to RC private island and the boys were super excited about the water park but at $170 per person, we just couldn’t afford the additional $680. We’re Canadian so after exchange that would be $885 for one day! Unfortunately we told them it will have to be a beach day instead.
Give it some time and watch the prices as it comes closer to your sail date. We go on Wonder on the 27th and a month ago the water park was $160ish and now they’re $98.
Keep watching…I was there last year on the Symphony. The price dropped from the original $100, so I cancelled and rebooked. It was just under $60 Canadian per person including taxes. The price fluctuates more on Perfect Day than the other excursions.
OMG, talk about shocked! The last time we were at Coco Cay was in 2005 when it was an undeveloped tender port where the only thing you had to pay for was a $5 tip for a beach chair. The only thing there was the BBQ lunch, a couple of market stalls, snorkeling, and an independent parasail operator. It is completely unrecognizable!! Talk about paving paradise!
OMG…I’m a 74 aussie lady who absolutely love you fellas. Thank you for allowing me to travel with you on so many cruises that I will never be able to experience myself… sending you lots of love from the land down under xx
I notice This is happening with nearly all vacations/amenities. They’re purposely pricing the middle class out to only let these activists allowed for the top 10%
❤❤❤ me some Coco Cay but we never pay for any of the extras. As long as people keep paying for the prices (and they obviously do), there is no reason to change. We each have an opportunity to vote with our dollars.
I wouldn’t put it past Royal to shut down the waterpark onboard the ship “for maintenance” (wink, wink) while docked at Coco Cay. There are some crafty minds working diligently to separate the passengers from their money. Recently they have floated the idea of charging for the crappy pizza at Sorrento’s.
That’s what happened to me. Our family’s first cruise and I specifically chose one with a CocoCay itinerary because it looked amazing. Couldn’t see any prices beyond the cruise fare until after I paid my deposit. I thought the water park was included because it’s their island.
Wow what a change , back in the day I worked on The Emerald Seas & Nordic Empress cruise ships and this was are island, back then it was called Little Stirrup Cay . It was an an idyllic day relaxing in a hammock between to trees. Sorry guys but that looks my idea of hell and so expensive unbelievable that people would pay that kind of money for just a few hours.
I'm feeling really sorry for Families that have budgeted all year or more for a cruise. With all the outrageous prices they are charging now people will be canceling and the cruise lines are going to go broke!!! Things that used to be included and now aren't is ridiculous because the New prices are outrageous. So sad.
Have just booked a business class return from London to Bangkok for £2,500. 13 hours each way, but at least I can say it's cheaper than 7 hours on a cabana on Cocobay. A beach lounger in Thailand is £2.50, food or a beer the same. Love your channel, but the crowds and prices put me off cruising again.
As David said, prices do vary depending on season and other factors. We took 4 of us to that water park for $43.99 per person US in December 2022 ($175.96 total). I would have never paid $250ish per person...that's crazy! Great video as usual.
We did the waterpark on CocCay in 2019 when the pricing was much cheaper, and STILL thought it was overpriced. Besides, you're IN THE BAHAMAS. We've got waterparks at home! Why pay to go to some experience you can get at home? Ridiculous. The water park should be free. And if it's not, we'll just go to the beach, the REAL draw for CocoCay.
Folks, Coco Cay is wonderful. There’s PLENTY to do without going to the upcharge areas. Skip the cabanas, the water park, the Beach Club, the balloon, etc. There’s plenty of lounge chairs, umbrellas, multiple swimming pools, free food, plus an ocean!
We were on a Cruise there in 2018 and went to the water park. The price per person was about $70 which we thought was even a little much because we only had about 5 hours there. $240 is crazy and I hope nobody goes so they move the prices back down so families can still go.
I spoke with so many people on my last cruise who had no problem with the new menus. But then these people also said that food was the last thing on their minds when cruising, so they didn’t care. I think it’s those people who embolden Royal to do what they’ve done. It’s so sad, because good included food plays such a huge part in the overall cruise experience.
I can’t emphasize enough how entertaining the both of you both are! I’ve been binge watching your adventures all week. Your incredible personalities sets you apart from all the other cruise channels 😊. Please never change! Btw Ben I love your northern English accent😊. cheers🎉
This island looks just beautiful!! I was just thinking to myself that it wouldn’t be great for me as I’m in a wheelchair, then you pointed out the special chairs etc !! 😊Thank you very much for doing that as things like this really help people with mobility issues and can really mean this difference of booking cruise destinations. Good job guys ❤😉x
I have been a loyal Royal cruiser for years....and I am rethinking it. We used to be able to get cabanas with our family and split it but once it went into the thousands of dollars we stopped that. Charging for the water park is crazy, and the drink packages are ridiculously high priced.
So agree...I would never pay those prices. Not even if they had a 50% off sale. That would still be a rip off. Save the dough for another cruise or two !! Cheers guys !!
Agree its a stunning place. Wouldn't pay for any of the extras on the island tho...even if I could afford it I wouldn't as its not value for money. Hopefully people will vote with their feet!
The price of cruising on Royal Caribbean has gone up astronomically. Hubby and I are looking at a 7 day cruise to Mexico next April out of L.A. They want $7K for a junior suite! Are you kidding me? $1K a day for a junior suite? Nope, no way, I don't think so! Thanks guys for a great video, I've always wanted to go to Coco Cay. Cheers! - Martin in La La Land
I have been watching all of your videos. I love cruising but with my conditions haven't been able to go in years. You are really "taking me there" and I appreciate everything you do. Love you guys, please keep it up! Your videos are amazing, so informative and fun.
Really lovely and accurate review of the island. Like you, I'm very concerned about pricing... not only at Perfect Day, but where the "extras" associated with cruising as a whole are concerned. I looked at booking a simple cabana on Carnival's Half Moon Cay and was stunned to see how expensive it was. And on Norwegian Viva, even the miniature golf (which, granted, on that ship is very cool and interactive) is $10 a person. The ones I feel very bad for are parents who either have to disappoint their kids or fork over the big bucks. You know every kid walking toward Perfect Day sees that ginormous waterslide and immediately begins begging their parents to take them to it!
No way we'll be visiting Cocoa Cay now! We are a family of five and live in Florida- it already costs a small mint to get into Disney! And the last time we went in February between the lines and rampant nastiness of guests, brawls broke out while we waited in line, more long lines to pick up food we had ordered an hour prior- the price was not worth the experience! I can't imagine spending twice as much for a water park & amenities where we're supposed to be relaxing and not sobbing over how much we spent!!😂😂. Thanks so much for your candor; we really enjoy your videos!
We went to Coco Cay last August and this was easily solved, we only did the awesome free stuff. We didn't spend a dime other than souvenirs. The splash park is free, the lagoon is free and the swim up bar pool is free, the food is free also. Don't get caught up trying to keep up with the Joneses and you'll be just fine.
Agreed, I didn’t even look at the things that wernt the actual beach itself. Had an amazing time relaxing. Didn’t spend an extra nickel while at coco cay
@@kevinmuniz5532 we are going back in February 2024 and we again will spend not an extra dime. The free stuff is awesome. We don't need the water park, or zip lining. My son wants to go the up, up and away balloon but that's closing for a while and most of the time it's too windy for it anyway.
Going on my first Royal cruise tomorrow. I opted out of all the coco cay things except for the private area (NOT a cabana, just the beach area). As a mid-30's dude with his wife, the water park thing isn't something I'd pay much, if at all for.
*”Dr. Phil on a hill.”* 🤣. We did a stop at Coco Cay last April as part of an Eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Harmony. We were the only ship docked that day, and it was an amazing experience. I feel like Royal Caribbean offer the “resort experience” like no other, and that is what draws me toward them for Caribbean cruises. That said, the included food scene on RCL has gotten so abysmal that I’m booked with other cruise lines. Both the experience and food on Coco Cay are *supreme,* in my opinion. I only did the BBQ buffet there on the island, and I was completely happy. Splash Away Bay was about $130 for the day, and was completely not worth it. The water slides were amazing, but there is no way I will pay that again. RCL has priced me out, and as I said, the ship food has become subpar, so I’m out. Bye for now, RCL 👋
You guys are awesome!!! What a great review of the island! I'd stick to the free stuff, some of there prices are crazy! Take care... Congrats on passing 200K!!!
It’s a lovely island, but I remember going there 20 years ago when it was just a lovely tropical island and they didn’t charge for anything! Royal’s pricing is becoming a joke across the board - some of their cruises are priced higher than many luxury lines, and there are clear signs of cost cutting everywhere We sailed with them for years and are Diamond members, but we are really not looking at booking with them again
We had a blast there yesterday , we were in the pool and the dj was great and the swim up bar was so fun , so many free things to do there and the “free” food was great too
My Aug 26 Adventure of the Seas cruise has the overwater cabana for $1279 and the beach club is $160. I’ve been enjoying watching those prices fall from $3000 and $250 just a few months ago
That’s awesome! 👏. It feels so good when you get a smashing good deal on something like that. You have to be a watchdog if you want the good stuff at a reasonable price.
Our cruise is next summer and according to the RC app, the water park will be $199.00 PER PERSON for our sailing. Absolutely not. There is not enough to do to justify even half that!
I have snuck into the water park the past 3 times I’ve been. You can just walk right in like a hour before the ship leaves. That’s enough time for 4 or 5 of the big slides.
$2,200 and still have to pay for alcoholic drinks is totally outrageous. Cruising is getting to be beyond most families now, and I bet that even when the cruise lines have paid off their Covid debts the prices will remain high.
This is the result of a captive audience. With two ships in port there are enough customers with semi-unlimited budgets to make this work. The overwater cabana is about $3500 US in November for our Anthem sailing, and they are almost sold out. However, this can be a $0 extra day with the free beach chairs and food, so if it doesn't work for you, don't pay it. Simple supply and demand.
These prices are absolutely appalling and Royal Caribbean should be ashamed of themselves. I know this is very blunt but anyone who would pay $240 for a few slides and a wave pool or thousands of dollars for a cabana where the beverages are not even included should have their heads examined. Disgusting!
$240 for 1 person to go to the water park that’s flipping ridiculous, for a family of 4 that $960! Just to go to a crowded water for a couple of hours. That’s insane!
With all of these price hikes; some of them now at exorbitant prices (insane, just like you said!), this makes me question booking again. We've only been on carnival for our 4 cruises, and I'm REALLY ready to try a little more upscale brand, but this makes me rethink our next vacation.
That may be the consequence of not building 2 queues for the slides. In order to reduce the crowds they can only jack up the prices less they want angry customers saying they paid $51 for 2 slides. I'd rather pay $51 and then an extra $100 for a skip the line band like any other respectable park.
Last October we took 7 of us on the 7-day cruise. With 2 grandchildren ages 15 and 18 we opted to go "all in" with Perfect Day by renting a cabana. It ran a total of around $1,000 but "admission to the Thrill Waterpark was included." We were led to the cabana area that had a personalized sign on "ours." Throughout the entire time we were there, the boys went on the water slides many times. As the Grammy I spent lots of time in the cabana, in the shade, with royal service from our personal server who supplied whatever we wanted. I was permitted to use my "free" drinks from Diamond Plus for the cabana service. I would say we all got out money's worth (I went to the lagoon for a while and the wave pool). However, if it doubles in price I would not reserve a cabana. We have a 30th anniversary cruise booked for 2025 and are already looking into what beaches are included and how we can be guaranteed of a chaise chair under an umbrella. At least the "food stations" are free as well.
We did RCI just before covid and then after Australia opened up and even though we booked a suite, because we got a great price (and lift and shifted a few times), I enjoyed the pre-covid so much better. My son is now 18 and we don’t need a teenage club anymore, we are tryin Virgin next in January and can’t wait. I don’t know if I’d do RCI again. Doing Viking in 2025. Love to try HAL.
We went as a family of 4 to Thrill Water Park on CocoCay when prices were lower and still found it to be a very expensive day. It was a great family experience but lines were long so we only got about 7 or 8 slides in during the day + we enjoyed the wave pool. You can definitely enjoy the free things to do on the island. I agree that the new prices are insane and not worth it! Most major cities have water parks so go there instead. You guys nailed it with your review, great video!
They are going to price a whole bunch of people out of cruising, I usually cruise with Princess but with there restructure of the pricing, I'm not sure if i will be doing much more cruising
Good afternoon Ben and David. Those prices are insane!! I haven't cruised with RC. Now I'm pretty sure I won't. All thier prices including basic cabin, etc are higher than most for the same thing's. Thank you for all you do ❤❤
RCL is positioning to avoid bankruptcy. Excessive price increases, cutbacks in just about everything, and non-refundable deposits. This picture may be the beginning of cash flow issues that could spell doom.
My brother and sister-in-law and 2 nephews just came off the Oasis Of The Seas and the first thing I asked him was "How was it?" his reply, "I will be hard pressed to sail RCCL again" . He complained about the super intensive nickle and dimming that goes on. In the main Atrium there are always tables set up with things for sale and makes it difficult to even walk around the area. The prices on everything were "astronomically high" even the liquor which is usually much cheaper on land is now higher priced on the ship. So much for "Duty Free" On Coco Cay he was charged $23.95 for a tube of Suntan Lotion. He also said the waterpark area was "super expensive" compared to two years ago when they stopped at that island. The specialty dining prices have gone up as well. The photo packages have gone up. He basically said he would rather sail on MSC even with the quirks of MSC he said he could have taken two cruises on MSC compared to what he just paid for on the Oasis.
We were coco lame back in 2021. All it is a water park and ok beaches. It would be different if you were there for two days, but for 6 hrs it is a joke
My girlfriend and I are interested in a Royal Caribbean cruise next year (it’ll be my first time on RC, only ever sailed NCL), but the lackluster food (at points), and massive up charging is a little concerning. I would pay for the water park if it was $240 at double occupancy, not $240 per person. But I look forward to your new series as I do with all your work. Keep making great content!
We were on Wonder of the Seas this past summer and, like you, absolutely could not justify the price of the Thrill water park. My son was 15, stayed on the ship, and rode their waterslides with no lines the whole time we were at CoCo Cay. It was a way better time, and much more cost effective. I did LOVE that the food was included on the island. That worked out perfectly for me because I love sand and the sound of the ocean.
Happy birthday to you mate. Thanks for sharing this information. RCL has been increasing their prices and yes, they have priced out lots of customers out from experiencing the RCL difference. We sailed on the Wonder of the Seas last December an I paid for my son and daughter to go to the water park and my husband an I spent a few hours at the Coco Beach Club, in my opinion it was ok. I wouldn’t do it again. If you want a quiet place to relax and escape the large crowds ☀️ and you don’t mind spending the extra money, go for it!
Hi Guys! I booked a cabana package at Margaritaville in Orlando which came with a pretty good food and drinks package for $195.00! The girls and guys from the beach bar & restaurant came round regularly to check on us and keep us topped up! What a fantastic afternoon we had and that was 4 of us!
I brought my own snorkeling equipment and the floaty jackets were free to use. The snorkeling there was so magical. So many rays and beautiful unique fish! A huge black ray came right up to us on the beach part too! So cool! I highly recommend this island and would return!
Thank you! I've been saying that Royal Caribbean has been ridiculous in their prices at CoCoCay for a while. I remember you could get a cabana for $600.00 and now the same cabana on my upcoming cruise is $1300.00. The Beach Club used to be $65.00 and now they want $299.00 on my upcoming cruise with Celebrity. The over the water cabana is $3800.00, ridiculous! I've only had the over the water cabana once and it rained, we froze and the food was cold, never again. I don't remember how much it was but not even close to $3800.00. I stopped cruising with Royal for this reason and the fact that my last cruise in a suite, people were smoking marijuana and blaring music so we couldn't enjoy our balcony in our Grand Suite. This is my first cruise in over 20 years of cruising that I couldn't wait to end because people were rude, kids jumping in the solarium hot tubs and no rules were enforced whatsoever.
I’ve been on one Cruise Royal Carribean beginning of this year I think it’s absolutely outrageous since they got you as a captured audience, expecting you to pay outrageous additional fees. No I would not go on for a waterpark, but if there was additional fees on some thing else I wouldn’t pay them I’m better off going to Disney world for the day. Thank you.
3800 for a cabana is insane. I spent less than half of that for a 5 day vacation for 5 people to Malta. Including flights from the Netherlands, penthouse with private jacuzzi in a hotel, all food and drinks (a la carte in restaurants and bars, so not an all-inclusive resort) and taxis/excursions.
RC might have spent a fortune redoing the entire island, but I shudder to think what a large hurricane would do there. I can’t help but think about the little island in Lake Worth that my cousins and I used to go to on their tiny sailboat. There was nothing there (I think it’s been developed), but we had a great time having picnics and being “marooned.” We could have spent most of our time there all summer, and it costs nothing. They might have lost a ton of money during the pandemic, but I would be amazed if lots of that loss was not covered by insurance, so it’s my guess that RC isn’t as much in the hole as all that. Really most of this is bean-counters trying to take advantage of post pandemic travel surges.
You are right about CocoCay. It’s an amazing private island, but it has become super expensive. We used to rent a cabana at Chill Island. The rental price went from $400 to $800 to $1200 to $1500 today. That was over just three years! Talk about inflation! We have been priced out of the cabanas completely!
I will be skipping coco cay. Give me St. Martin's any day. Pull up to beach and enjoy the day!!! Locals will get you anything for a tip. Restaurants, shops, duty free liquor right nearby and reasonable prices. Like i said, if you dont want to leave your beach chair, a local will go get it for you for a tip. Its a fun easy day.
