The battle for the perfect cruise personal vacation spot within the Bahamas simply obtained extra intense. After Royal Caribbean’s large success with Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival has answered with its personal brand-new personal vacation spot: Celebration Key. Both resorts promise the last word seaside getaway with loads of sand, solar, and enjoyable, however which one delivers the higher expertise? Having cruised to Perfect Day at CocoCay a dozen or extra occasions, we have been among the many first visitors to go to Celebration Key. Now, we’re able to put these two locations head-to-head in varied classes that can assist you resolve which island paradise deserves a spot in your subsequent cruise itinerary.
Celebration Key vs Perfect Day at CocoCay – Which Is Better?
Location
Layout
Beach & Pool Areas
Food & Drinks
Activities & Attractions
Family Spaces
Adult-Only Spaces
Private Beach Club
What’s Included
Overall Vibe
Location
Perfect Day at CocoCay sits about 240 miles from Port Canaveral and simply 65 miles from Nassau within the Bahamas. The island has been fully reworked since Royal Caribbean’s $250 million renovation in 2019, turning what was as soon as a easy seaside day right into a resort-style vacation spot spanning over 120 acres. Perfect Day at CocoCay’s pier can accommodate two Royal Caribbean ships at a time.
Celebration Key is positioned on the southern coast of Grand Bahama Island, about 23 miles (40 minutes) from Freeport on the western aspect. Celebration Key options its personal cruise pier able to accommodating as much as two of Carnival’s largest Excel-class vessels concurrently, with plans to increase to 4 ships by 2026. The vacation spot spans 68 acres with almost a mile of pristine seaside, with an extra 154 acres for future growth plans.
The solely approach you’ll be able to attain both of those cruise personal islands is on a crusing from the respective cruise line. While choose Celebrity Cruises itineraries additionally go to Perfect Day at CocoCay, there are at present no different Carnival Corp. manufacturers that decision on Celebration Key.
Carnival Cruse Line has 20 ships from ten completely different U.S. homeports scheduled to name at this vacation spot. Most sailings that go to Celebration Key originate in Florida, together with voyages from Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Tampa. However, different homeports additionally provide cruises to Celebration Key comparable to Mobile, Alabama; Galveston, Texas; and Baltimore, Maryland; amongst others.
Most Royal Caribbean sailings that go to Perfect Day at CocoCay depart from Cape Liberty, New Jersey; Galveston, Texas; and the Florida ports of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Tampa. These cruises fluctuate in size with widespread 3-day sailings on ships comparable to Utopia of the Seas calling right here as properly.
Layout
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay is an expansive area with a typically appreciable distance between essential points of interest, which may very well be a professional or a con for you. The Arrivals Plaza is the principle start line from which visitors can enterprise off to take pleasure in a number of included and up-charge experiences for his or her excellent day of enjoyable within the solar. The essential highlights embrace Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, Chill Island, Oasis Lagoon, Coco Beach Club, Splashaway Bay for the little ones, and South Beach. There are additionally loads of foods and drinks choices discovered all through the resort, so that you’ll by no means must go far once you get hungry or thirsty. The Up, Up, and Away helium balloon and zipline are exhausting to overlook too.
Chill Island, Oasis Lagoon, and South Beach are the most important complimentary areas relying in your vibe. Chill Island provides a calming day on the seaside, whereas South Beach has a extra energetic vibe with video games, sports activities, and a floating tiki bar. Our private favourite, the Oasis Lagoon is likely one of the largest freshwater lagoons within the Caribbean and incorporates a swim-up bar and DJ.
Other unique areas that require an entrance price are Thrill Waterpark with a number of the greatest waterslides in North America, the upscale Coco Beach Club full with an infinity pool, and Hideaway Beach Club for the 18+ crowd with celebration vibes.
Celebration Key
Celebration Key is break up into 5 areas referred to as “portals” that every provide distinctive experiences. They are the Paradise Plaza welcome space, the family-focused Starfish Lagoon, the adult-centered Calypso Lagoon, the Lokono Cove purchasing space, and the adults-only personal seaside membership, Pearl Cove.
Paradise Plaza serves as your start line, that includes a sun-shaped arch excellent for welcome images, the long-lasting Suncastle, a water fountain, and dwell music. Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon each characteristic the most important freshwater lagoons within the Caribbean, which mixed are 8 occasions as massive because the Oasis Lagoon. Both of those portals characteristic loads of poolside and beachside area for lounging, together with quite a lot of foods and drinks choices.
Pearl Cove Beach Club requires admission, however is an ideal 18+ retreat with an infinity pool, swim-up bar, loads of seaside area, and a extra chill vibe. Finally, Lokono Cove is the purchasing destintation with a Bahamian craft market, locally-painted murals, and extra.
Both personal locations provide complimentary trams across the island for individuals who’d want to not stroll.
WINNER: Celebration Key – The structure of Celebration Key could be very intuitive and manageable with most portals circling the big lagoons and the Pearl Cove Beach Club positioned the furthest west past Calypso Lagoon. There are paved strolling paths and signage as you navigate across the resort. So, it’s virtually unattainable to get misplaced. While Perfect Day at CocoCay may provide extra space to unfold out, it does contain much more strolling within the Bahamian warmth.
Beach & Pool Areas
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean‘s Perfect Day at CocoCay options each complimentary and upcharge areas that provide the right seaside day or pool day relying in your preferences and journey fashion.
Your choices on Perfect Day at CocoCay embrace:
Chill Island & Breezy Bay – complimentary
Harbor Beach – complimentary
South Beach – complimentary
Oasis Lagoon – complimentary
Hideaway Beach Club – upcharge, adults-only
Coco Beach Club – upcharge
Oasis Lagoon is centrally positioned on the island and options one of many largest freshwater swimming pools within the Caribbean. This expansive oasis is open to visitors of all ages and even incorporates a DJ and swim-up bar. We’d say that appears like a reasonably Perfect Day at CocoCay!
When it involves seashores, Chill Island is the most important (largely the world of the previous CocoCay) to the left of the Arrivals Plaza. This expansive complimentary space combines pristine white sand seashores and crystal-clear waters. Harbor Beach is the closest seaside to the pier. It’s a small, protected space that’s nice for households with younger children. South Beach is a little more secluded on the exact opposite finish from Chill Island. Nearby to South Beach, there’s complimentary video games and a sports activities court docket for the extra energetic cruisers.
Regardless of which choice you select, you’ll discover snug lounge chairs, umbrellas, and quick access to eating choices. Of course, you don’t have to decide on only one. With a full day ashore, it’s best to positively discover all that the island has to supply.
Celebration Key
Similarly, Carnival‘s Celebration Key has each complimentary and upcharge areas with seaside and pool choices. Though, there are much less upcharge areas vs. Perfect Day at CocoCay. And it’s exhausting to disregard the huge measurement of the centrally-located lagoons. Celebration Key’s two freshwater lagoons complete 275,000 sq. ft and maintain about 350 million gallons of water!
Your choices on Celebration Key embrace:
Calypso Lagoon – complimentary
Calypso Beach – complimentary
Starfish Lagoon – complimentary
Starfish Beach – complimentary
Pearl Cove Beach Club – upcharge, adults-only
Starfish Lagoon, positioned on the east aspect of the island, is crammed with enjoyable for the entire household. The focus of all the vacation spot: the towering Suncastle, constructed to appear to be a sandcastle, options twin racing slides. The Starfish Lagoon portal can also be the place you’ll discover a lagoon swimming pool, the family-friendly seaside, and the Guppy Grotto splash pad with enjoyable water options and a wading pool for the littlest guests.
Calypso Lagoon, positioned on the west aspect of the island, is the extra adult-friendly portal. This space is positioned on the second lagoon-style pool and provides Caribbean chill vibes, full with DJ-spun music and loads of loungers surrounding the pool. There’s additionally Calypso Beach in the event you’d reasonably spend the day together with your toes within the sand. While the upcharge Pearl Cove Beach Club is strictly adults-only, there’s additionally a small part of Calypso Lagoon that’s reserved for these 18+ (although, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how and if that is enforced).
WINNER: Celebration Key – It’s exhausting to disclaim how spectacular the lagoon swimming pools at Celebration Key actually are. Aside from their large measurement, there’s loads of nooks with distinctive vibes. Whether you wish to take pleasure in a drink at one of many swim-up bars with in-water seating, loosen up in one of many over-water cabanas or inflatable Aquabanas (further costs apply), catch some rays on one of many in-water loungers, or simply float round in paradise, these lagoons are calling your title. While Perfect Day at CocoCay does have extra seaside area, Celebration Key holds its personal too. In reality, the seashores have been comparatively empty throughout our go to.
Food & Drinks
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay provides visitors quite a lot of eating choices, most of that are fully free. There are additionally a number of bars throughout the island to seize your favourite drinks. You shouldn’t move up the favored Coco Loco! The better part is that your Royal Caribbean beverage package deal and/or loyalty drink vouchers work on the island.
Dining Spots:
Chill Grill – The largest eating venue positioned on Chill Island, Chill Grill is a buffet that provides the whole lot from tacos to sandwiches and grilled favorites.
Skipper’s Grill – With extra nautically impressed decor, Skipper’s Grill is one other informal lunchtime buffet that overlooks the harbor and provides the identical meals choices because the Chill Grill.
Snack Shacks – There are three Snack Shacks across the island that serve gadgets like hamburgers, hen sandwiches, salads, mozzarella sticks, funnel cake, and extra. These spot are our private favorites.
Captain Jack’s – This centrally positioned bar serves hen wings with signature sauces and crispy steak fries at a la carte pricing alongside drinks and dwell music. ($)
Perfect Day at CocoCay Bars:
Captain Jack’s – Centrally positioned with a lined pavilion, swings, and dwell music
Oasis Lagoon Bar – Features each a swim-up and out-of-water bar
Wacky Seagull Bar – Located on Chill Island
Wacky Seagull Jr. Bar -Located close to Breezy Bay at Chill Island
The Cracked Coconut Bar – Located close to the doorway of Chill Island overlooking Harbor Beach
Floating Bar – Swim out to this floating tiki bar from South Beach
South Beach Bar – Located on South Beach
Coconut Willie’s Bar – Located close to the Sports Court
Additional Bar Stands across the island
Celebration Key
Celebration Key additionally provides quite a lot of eating choices; although, Carnival has launched a brand new idea referred to as Island Eats which limits what visitors can take pleasure in free of charge throughout their go to. With Island Eats visitors obtain a eating credit score for one complimentary meal at one of many fast informal venues or a 25 p.c low cost on one entree on the full-service eating places. Additional gadgets will value further.
While we benefit from the larger selection and addition of some native flavors vs. Perfect Day at CocoCay, we expect the Island Eats idea makes eating on Celebration Key considerably complicated and restricted for visitors except they’re keen to pay further for meals. We perceive the reasoning for some upcharges, like a number of the meals truck gadgets, however we might anticipate some fundamental gadgets like burgers, hen sandwiches, sizzling canine, and pizza to be included (and limitless) with out utilizing the Island Eats credit score— particularly since they’re removed from gourmand.
Dining Options:
Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen – This full service restaurant in Calypso Lagoon options island favorites like jerk hen and coconut shrimp, in addition to classics together with tacos and burgers. ($)
Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews – This full service restaurant in Calypso Lagoon, full with an out of doors smoker, serves slow-cooked meats alongside sides and sauces proper subsequent to the lagoon. ($)
Gill’s Grill – This full service restaurant in Starfish Lagoon pairs land and sea with dishes like seafood baskets, steamed crab, shrimp, lobster, native fish, hen, and burgers. ($)
Captain’s Galley Food Hall – This quick informal meals corridor in Starfish Lagoon serves gadgets like tacos, sizzling canine, pizza, burgers, salads, Mediterranean bowls, and extra. This is NOT an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Food Trucks – There are a number of meals vehicles positioned in each Calypso and Starfish Lagoons with choices like: Grand Bahama Taco Co, Fowl Play, Seaside Shack, Flippin Fritters, Mini Donut King, Calypso Chicken Co, Streatery Sushiva, Seaside Burgers & Dogs, and Beachside Burgers & More.
Snack Shacks – Snack Shacks are positioned across the island serving caesar salad, hen caesar wraps, hummus vegetable wraps, sizzling canine, and turkey membership wraps.
Yumshine Scoops – Ice cream store positioned in Paradise Plaza. ($)
Suncastle Grounds Coffee – Located in Lokono Cove, this espresso store serves serves up sizzling, iced, and frozen espresso drinks. ($)
Bars:
Long Necks Swim Up Bar – Swim-up bar in Calypso Lagoon with over 160 seats
Sunshine Swings Bar – Calypso Lagoon bar with almost 50 swings
Lagoon Bar West – Third bar in Calypso Lagoon
Parrotfish Swim Up Bar – Swim-up bar in Starfish Lagoon
Aquabana Bar – Bar for the in-water Aquabanas in Starfish Lagoon
Lagoon Bar East – Third bar in Starfish Lagoon
With every full-service restaurant providing a signature bar menu, in addition to the opposite uniquely themed bars, there’s loads of locations to seize a drink on Celebration Key. However, Carnival’s beverage packages don’t apply to the road’s unique locations although. So, all drinks will value extra cash.
WINNER: Perfect Day at CocoCay – While Celebration Key does have larger menu selection and native Bahamian distributors sourcing meals and drinks, the Island Eats idea provides a degree of complexity that nobody needs to fret about on trip. On Perfect Day at CocoCay, there’s no fear about what menu gadgets are included or “What if I get hungry later?”. You can seize a hen sandwich, burger, tacos, or some Caribbean fare at lunchtime, then get some fruit, mushy serve ice cream, cookies, or funnel cake later. You also can fulfill your children’ every-two-hour meals requests for no further charges. Not to say, the hen sandwiches and mozzerella sticks are fairly yummy! And in relation to drinks, Royal Caribbean’s drink package deal extends to the island. So, it’s a win throughout for Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Activities & Attractions
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay provides one thing for everybody. Beyond the seashores and Oasis Lagoon pool, there are numerous activites and points of interest for all sorts of vacationers (some complimentary and a few upcharges). From thrillseekers and energetic cruisers, to households with little ones, to these searching for a slice of luxurious, Perfect Day at CocoCay has all of it.
Thrill Waterpark ($)
Zipline ($)
Up, Up, and Away ($)
Captain Jill’s Galleon
Splashaway Bay
Sports Areas
Cabana Options ($)
Additional Shore Excursions ($)
Perfect Day at CocoCay options the perfect points of interest for thrillseekers of any cruise personal island. Of course, these actions do come at a worth. Thrill Waterpark options 13 waterslides (together with the tallest waterslide in North America), the Caribbean’s largest wave pool, and a kid-friendly impediment course pool. There’s additionally a 1,600-foot-long zip line and a helium balloon trip tethered 450 ft above the island providing superb panoramic views.
For the little ones, there are two complimentary points of interest. The Splashaway Bay aqua park options fountains, swimming pools, sprinklers, water cannons, kid-size waterslides, and two large drench buckets. Captain Jill’s Galleon is positioned close to the pier and is loaded with water options too. Between these two areas, you’ll be able to actually hold the kiddos entertained all day lengthy.
For energetic cruisers, or those that don’t wish to pay for the upcharge actions, there are additionally sports activities courts and gaming areas positioned between Chill Island and South Beach. Guests can partake in actions comparable to volleyball, basketball, cornhole, and extra.
For these looking for so as to add a little bit of luxurious to their seaside day, there are a number of cabana choices out there all through the island as properly. These cabanas are positioned in Chill Island, Oasis Lagoon, Thrill Waterpark, South Beach, Hideaway Beach, and the Coco Beach Club together with the dreamy overwater cabanas. These cabanas fluctuate in worth relying on measurement, location, and sail date.
If that’s not sufficient, cruisers also can e-book for-fee shore excursions. Options embrace snorkeling, kayaking, glass backside boat excursions, jet skis, and swimming with the pigs, amongst others.
Celebration Key
Similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival’s brand-new Celebration Key provides quite a lot of actions and upcharge experiences for individuals who want to do one thing past enjoyable close to the seaside or lagoon.
Suncastle twin racing waterslides ($)
Guppy Grotto splashpad
Gaming Pavilion & Sports Court
Cabana Options ($)
Additional Shore Excursions ($)
While the Suncastle is a sight to behold on Celebration Key, it’s additionally dwelling to twin racing waterslides, that are 350-foot-long, 10-story points of interest referred to as Flash Flamingo and Mach III Marlin. The price for these slides is $14.99 per individual for limitless rides. The most weight is 300 lbs. and the minimal top is 40 inches. Unlimited rides are included for visitors booked in cabanas and villas.
For the little ones, Guppy Grotto is a complimentary water play space in Starfish Lagoon with a colourful coral-reef theme and a shallow wade pool. While the younger kiddos splash the day away, tweens and teenagers can benefit from the gaming pavilion with actions like desk tennis and cornhole. There’s additionally a sports activities court docket with pickleball, basketball, and volleyball courts.
Additionally, Celebration Key provides quite a lot of cabana and villa choices for these wanting so as to add a splash of luxurious to their day. These are positioned inside Calypso Lagoon and Beach, Starfish Lagoon and Beach, and Pearl Cove Beach Club. Options embrace Super Villas for 10 visitors, Over-Lagoon Super Villas, Aquabanas at Starfish Lagoon for 8 visitors, Large Cabanas for six visitors, Cabanas for 4 visitors, and Over-Lagoon Cabanas.
If that’s not sufficient, cruisers also can e-book for-fee shore excursions. Options embrace actions like snorkeling, dolphin encounters, kayaking, a Grand Bahama by Jeep tour, outings at Pirate Cove Beach like UTVs and ziplines, sightseeing on Grand Bahama Island, biking adventures, swimming with the pigs, and extra.
WINNER: Perfect Day at CocoCay – While each locations provide comparable experiences with quite a lot of complimentary facilities to have a enjoyable day ashore, you’ll be able to’t beat the theme park-like points of interest at Perfect Day at CocoCay. If you’re keen to spend a bit cash, Thrill Waterpark provides the last word journey. With a daredevil tower and a family-friendly tower of waterslides, a wave pool, and loads of loungers with umbrellas, it’s excellent for households with tweens and teenagers. Not to say, the zipline and helium balloon trip present further adrenaline-inducing alternatives.
Family Spaces
As you’ve most likely found out by now, Perfect Day at CocoCay AND Celebration Key are family-friendly. In reality, there are only a few areas the place these underneath 18 aren’t allowed. So, in the event you’re touring as a household or a multi-generational group, you actually can’t go fallacious with both vacation spot.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
When it involves Perfect Day at CocoCay, households can take pleasure in a calming day on the seaside. Families with little children will admire the Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon water play areas, whereas teenagers and tweens will love all of the complimentary sports activities and video games out there. While the Oasis Lagoon is open to all ages, it tends to be extra adult-centered with the swim-up bar and DJ music. But, that doesn’t imply that children can’t cling on the market. There’s additionally Harbor Beach which has a protected swimming space excellent for little ones. Of course, in the event you’re keen to shell out some money, households with older children will love the Thrill Waterpark as properly.
Celebration Key
At Celebration Key, the household and grownup areas are extra distinct with Starfish Lagoon providing a devoted area for households to remain and play all day lengthy. Families can take pleasure in twin racing waterslides for a small up-charge, a whole half of the lagoon swimming pool, and devoted household seaside area on the east of the island. For households with little ones, the Guppy Grotto is a enjoyable splashpad with water options. And similiar to Perfect Day at CocoCay, tweens and teenagers can occupy themselves on the gaming pavilion and sports activities court docket. These areas are naturally separated from the extra adult-centered Calypso Lagoon and seaside space, so {couples} gained’t have to fret about being overrun by children.
WINNER: Perfect Day at CocoCay – Families may have a good time at each cruise line personal islands. When evaluating Carnival’s Celebration Key vs. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebration Key does provide a extra devoted household area whereas facilities on CocoCay are extra unfold out throughout the island. However, our vote goes to Perfect Day at CocoCay as there are extra selections for households with children of all ages. In specific, we do assume the Guppy Grotto on Celebration Key is small for a family-focused cruise line, whereas Perfect Day at CocoCay has two devoted areas for youthful children. Also, the twin waterslides at Celebration Key don’t actually stack as much as the competitors.
Adult-Only Spaces
Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key do a superb job at catering not solely to households however to adults as properly. Both personal locations within the Bahamas have adult-only areas for these wanting to flee all the youngsters. These unique 18+ areas do come at an up-charge however are actually price it for {couples} or good friend teams. However, every area does have a special vibe.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
The adult-only area on Perfect Day at CocoCay is Hideaway Beach. The latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s personal island, Hideaway Beach has a full of life pool celebration scene. The essential Hideaway Pool incorporates a swim-up bar and DJ music. Though, there are quieter areas on each ends of the seaside. Closer to the pier, you’ll discover On the Rocks. This open-air seaside bar options cocktails, loads of area to lounge, dwell music, and a pool desk. On the opposite finish of Hideaway Beach, you’ll discover loads of lounge chairs within the sand and even some in-water hammocks.
All of the meals in Hideaway Beach is complimentary too. There’s the Hideaway Hut with comparable choices to the island’s Snack Shacks like burgers, hen sandwiches, and salads, and Slice of Paradise has unique pizza choices and empanadas. Other upgraded gadgets embrace coconut shrimp, ceviche, and fish sandwiches.
If you’re seeking to improve even additional, there are two cabana choices out there right here too. Hideaway cabanas are positioned close to the principle pool, or The Hideout is discovered additional down the seaside with entry to a non-public infinity plunge pool.
Celebration Key
Pearl Cove Beach Club is Celebration Key’s adult-only area. This unique spot incorporates a personal seaside and gorgeous infinity pool with a number of the greatest Bahamian views. The infinity pool is 11,000 square-feet and has a solar shelf for tanning and premium loungers with umbrellas. The pristine seaside is the right spot to loosen up with loads of solar loungers and umbrellas as properly.
In addition, Pearl Cove provides elevated eating at its full service restaurant with choices like lobster, shrimp, sushi, and salads. There’s a swim-up bar serving tropical cocktails together with devoted employees who will take your foods and drinks orders each poolside and beachside.
Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay although, entry to Pearl Cove Beach Club doesn’t routinely embrace these gourmand eating choices. There are three sorts of bookings out there for entry to Pearl Cove Beach Club. The first is fundamental seaside membership entry, which features a welcome drink of fruit or rum punch beginning at $100 per individual.
The second is open bar entry, which consists of rum punch, draft home beer, home purple and white wine, properly drinks, frozen strawberry daiquiris, and piña coladas. This choice contains as much as 10 drinks and begins at $140 per individual. The third choice is all-inclusive entry, which is identical because the open bar besides it additionally contains lunch on the Pearl Cove full-service restaurant. This package deal additionally has a 10-drink restrict, and begins at $180 per individual.
In addition to the Pearl Cove Beach Club, there may be an 18+ part in Calypso Lagoon which is complimentary and one thing that Perfect Day at CocoCay doesn’t provide.
WINNER: TIE – Depending in your vibe, each Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key provide nice adult-only areas. If you’re searching for a pool celebration scene with dwell music, Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway Beach is the way in which to go. However, if you would like a little bit of rest and luxurious, you’ll most likely want Carnival’s Pearl Cove Beach Club. Both have top-notch facilities and repair, so we wouldn’t hestitate to e-book both one.
Private Beach Club
Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key each have personal seaside golf equipment too. While Celebration Key’s Pearl Cove Beach Club is one and the identical with the island’s adult-only area, Perfect Day at CocoCay’s Coco Beach Club isn’t adults-only.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
In distinction to Royal Caribbean’s adult-only Hideaway Beach, the Coco Beach Club provides a extra relaxed, upscale vibe. With a capability of just a few hundred folks, the Coco Beach Club provides an escape from all the opposite island visitors.
While it’s not reserved only for these 18+, it options loads of secluded seaside area with loungers and umbrellas, the Coco Beach Club Restaurant with premium choices, and a heated infinity pool. Unlike Celebration Key, eating on the restaurant which provides choices like surf and turf is included with the essential seaside membership move.
If you’d wish to improve your expertise, there are seaside cabanas and overwater cabanas out there for an extra value. The floating cabanas is likely to be one of many bougiest experiences out there on a cruise personal island!
Celebration Key
Pearl Cove Beach Club provides an identical chill vibe to the Coco Beach Club and comparable facilities like an infinity pool, seaside area, and an unique restaurant. However, the 2 huge differentiators are that Pearl Cove is adults-only which is a large professional for {couples} like us and what’s included in a fundamental admission move (lower than Coco Beach Club).
While you’ll nonetheless be capable of use all of the facilities with the essential admission, you’ll must pay further to dine on the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant except you splurge for the all-inclusive move which additionally contains as much as 10 drinks. This could or will not be price it relying on how a lot you drink. However, once you have a look at pricing, Pearl Cove’s all-inclusive move isn’t far off from the price of entrance to Coco Beach Club which often ranges between $160 to $200 per individual. Thus, in the event you don’t essentially care in regards to the meals and drinks, you’ll be able to acquire entry to this unique seaside membership at a less expensive worth level.
WINNER: Celebration Key – We do love Royal Caribbean’s Coco Beach Club, however Carnival’s Pearl Cove Beach Club could have simply stolen the spot as our favourite. As the most important adults-only retreat of any cruise personal vacation spot, Pearl Cove is spacious and opulent. Relaxing on the seaside or within the massive infinity pool virtually makes you overlook that you’re steps away from all of the Carnival FUN occurring simply outdoors this space. The incontrovertible fact that it’s adults-only additionally makes Pearl Cove a draw for these looking for an upscale retreat. The solely factor it’s lacking is the over-water cabanas.
What’s Included on Celebration Key vs. Perfect Day at CocoCay
Both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key present the best seaside day for cruisers. Both cruise line personal islands have sprawling seashores and lagoon swimming pools with loads of lounge chairs which are excellent for {couples} and households alike. While visitors don’t must spend any cash to have a good time, each islands do have upcharges. And some of the important variations between Perfect Day at CocoCay and Celebration Key lies in what’s included together with your cruise fare versus what prices further. While Perfect Day at CocoCay is mainly an extension of the ship, Celebration Key doesn’t perform the identical approach.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
What’s Included
All eating venues (Chill Grill, Skipper’s Grill, Snack Shacks)
All drinks (if in case you have a Royal Caribbean beverage package deal)
Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool
All seaside areas (Chill Island, Harbor Beach, South Beach)
Splashaway Bay children’ aqua park
Captain Jill’s Galleon water play space
Sports courts and gaming areas
Complimentary tram transportation
WiFi (if in case you have an onboard WiFi package deal)
What Costs Extra
Thrill Waterpark
Zipline
Up, Up, and Away helium balloon
Hideaway Beach Club (adults-only)
Coco Beach Club
All cabana leases
Captain Jack’s wings and fries
Shore excursions
Alcoholic drinks (in the event you don’t have an onboard drink package deal)
Celebration Key
What’s Included
Island Eats: One complimentary meal at quick-casual venues OR 25% off one entrée at full-service eating places
Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon areas
All seaside areas (besides Pearl Cove Beach Club)
Guppy Grotto splash pad
Gaming pavilion and sports activities courts
Complimentary tram transportation
Iced water solely (there are not any different complimentary non-alcoholic choices)
WiFi (if in case you have an onboard WiFi package deal)
What Costs Extra
Most drinks (beverage packages don’t work on island)
Additional meals past the only Island Eats credit score
Suncastle twin racing waterslides
Pearl Cove Beach Club (adults-only)
All cabana and villa leases
Shore excursions
Comparison Table
CharacteristicPerfect Day at CocoCayCelebration KeyDiningAll venues included1 meal credit score solely, can be utilized on choose itemsBeveragesBasic drinks included; Drink package deal/vouchers workIced water solely; Drink packages do NOT workBeach EntryMost areas freeMost areas freePool EntryOasis Lagoon freeBoth lagoons freeKids’ Activities2 free water play areas1 free splash pad and wading poolSports/GamesFree courts & gamesFree pavilion & courtsWaterslidesThrill Waterpark ($)Suncastle slides ($)Adults-OnlyHideaway Beach ($)Pearl Cove ($)Private Beach ClubCoco Beach Club ($)Pearl Cove ($)TransportationFree tramsFree trams
WINNER: Perfect Day at CocoCay – The really all-inclusive eating and beverage package deal compatibility make it a lot simpler to take pleasure in a worry-free day with out always calculating further prices on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean’s personal vacation spot additionally provides some further non-alcoholic drinks like lemonade and iced tea at stations across the island and mushy serve ice cream within the buffet. On Celebration Key, the one complimentary drink is iced water as a drink isn’t even included within the Island Eats credit score. Guests may also must pay further for treats like ice cream or espresso.
Overall Vibe
When evaluating Carnival’s Celebration Key vs Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, every personal vacation spot has its execs and cons. So, when deciding which one is healthier, it actually comes all the way down to your priorities.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay is basically simply an extension of the ship. You’ll see your favourite bartenders and servers across the island. Basically the whole lot is included, so that you gained’t have to fret about something. This makes for a easy and carefree day ashore.
Further, this personal vacation spot is bigger with extra facilities and area to unfold out. Thus, you’ll be able to resolve what vibe you’re searching for and really make your individual excellent day. Whether you wish to benefit from the included facilities or splurge on different upcharges like cabanas, seaside golf equipment, or thrills, the selection is yours.
Celebration Key
Celebration Key dials up the Carnival FUN ashore with the primary and largest 10-story sandcastle construction, the 2 largest freshwater lagoons within the Caribbean, the longest swings bar, the world’s largest swim-up bar, the most important adults-only retreat, and greater than 30 foods and drinks choices.
Further, this unique vacation spot provides genuine Bahamian touches with an artisan market, native meals distributors, native craft beers, and extra. Not to say, visitors are free to go away the resort to discover extra of Grand Bahama Island both on an organized shore tour or on their very own.
WINNER: TIE – Both locations provide spectacular personal island experiences. The actual winners are cruise passengers who now have two world-class locations to select from, each with modern choices.
Choose Perfect Day at CocoCay if you would like:
Maximum worth with limitless meals and drinks (if in case you have a drink package deal)
The most thrilling actions
A seamless expertise from ship to shore
More area to unfold out
Choose Celebration Key if you would like:
Authentic Bahamian touches
A streamlined, managable structure
The final pool day (and the most important adult-only area)
Ability to discover extra of Grand Bahama Island
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