Star of the Seas Cruise Blog – Day 3 – Perfect Day at CocoCay
On day 3 of our short 4-day Showcase Sailing, we made our only stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. I had actually never visited Royal Caribbean’s private island, so we planned to spend all day exploring before heading back to the ship to check out areas we had not seen yet. Follow along to see our full, unbiased experience.
Day 3 Overview
- Day 3 Cruise Compass
- Arriving in Port
- Breakfast at Park Cafe
- Disembarking Star of the Seas
- Getting onto Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Exploring Perfect Day
- Afternoon Nap in a Noisy Infinity Balcony Cabin
- Boleros for Pre-Dinner Drinks
- Dinner in the Main Dining Room
- Very Crowded Dueling Pianos
- The Attic for Comedy
- Silent Disco in Absolute Zero
- Day 3 Wrap Up
Star of the Seas Day 3 Cruise Compass
Arriving in Port
Star of the Seas pulled up to the dock at Perfect Day at CocoCay at 7 AM. We did not set an alarm since we would be docked until 5 PM, so there was no need to rush off. Docking was on the noisier side, though, so I was up around 7:30.
Tip: Be prepared and dressed before opening the blackout shades. You never know which ship will be parked right next to you.
I walked to the Infinity Balcony and pressed the button on the wall to raise the shade. It did a great job blocking out light, so when it started rising, sunlight flooded the dark room. Immediately, I saw that we were docked across from Icon of the Seas and could see into every room. Thankfully, I was already dressed. People were already making their way to the island, but we wanted breakfast first.
Breakfast at Park Cafe
This morning we tried Park Cafe for breakfast. Located in the Central Park neighborhood, this often overlooked venue serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day. It has seating inside and outside, so it works even if it is raining or oppressively humid.
Tip: Do not just head to the buffet when you are hungry. Pull up the app or look at the Cruise Compass to see what is open. On newer ships, there are usually a lot of options people do not know about, and they are much more relaxed.
Since we were on Deck 9, we took the stairs down one deck and walked through Central Park. As I expected, the place was nearly empty, with just a handful of tables taken and no lines for food.
Park Cafe has a smaller selection than the Windjammer. You will find breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, and bagels made to order. Oddly, they did not have any cereal, which would be easy to add and would cater to more people. The space also had the usual complimentary juices like orange, apple, and strawberry kiwi, plus a Coke Freestyle machine.
Disembarking Star of the Seas
We grabbed our stuff for the day and headed to the island. At the elevator bank, the destination elevators had an electronic button labeled “Gangway.” We pressed it and proceeded to the designated elevator.
The elevator took us to Deck 5, the main level of the Royal Promenade. I was confused because you usually enter and exit a cruise ship from a higher deck only when you initially board or finally disembark. Most other ships use lower staff decks, but the signs directed us to the area near the 1400 Lobby Bar, across from The Pearl.
As we approached, staff had set up two stations, one to grab towels before leaving and one to grab waters or sodas. The drinks are included if you have an applicable drink package, so we grabbed two waters before heading out.
We then headed toward the 1400 Lobby Bar and realized we were not exiting there, but instead taking escalators down two levels. It was a really smart design. Normally, leaving and getting back on a ship in port can be a pain, with so many people trying to get elevators to the decks that stairs do not access. The escalators make it easy to get down to the security line and constantly move people. Elevators are still available for anyone who needs them. It is another example of how Royal Caribbean thought through the entire experience when designing this ship.
There were no lines at all, and we walked right off the ship.
Getting onto Perfect Day at CocoCay
We stepped onto the pier at 8:46 AM. Having never been to Perfect Day before, but having read about it plenty, I thought I knew what to expect.
Stepping out from between two behemoths (Icon and Star of the Seas), I saw the colorful pier with bright awnings leading the way from the ships toward the massive water slide tower, Devil’s Peak.
The pier felt pretty busy as we all made our way to the center. Music was blaring from the central plaza, singing about how it is a “Perfect Day.” I was impressed with the short walk. It was five minutes to get to the Arrival Plaza, much shorter than some other cruise line private destinations.
Tip: A tram is available from the ship to the main area of Perfect Day, and a separate one shuttles around the island. Skip the one from the ship unless you have mobility issues. It is a short walk.
Exploring Perfect Day
The island is pretty big, not just one private beach, but a lot of different areas. Around the Arrival Plaza, staff were stationed to help with directions and ask what we were looking to do so they could point us in the right direction. There are big signs, maps, and handheld maps. It was very well done and made the island feel approachable.
Since it was our first time, we explored the whole island before settling in one area. Overall, it took us 45 minutes to walk around, including visiting almost all the neighborhoods on Perfect Day, except the two extra-fee sections, Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club.
If you want a complete list of everything at Perfect Day, check our full write-up. For this blog, I will focus on overall impressions and tips.
Food at Perfect Day at CocoCay
The food at Perfect Day was delicious. Was it five-star cuisine? No. Was it perfect food for a beach day without having to pay more? Absolutely. Unlike Carnival, whose newest private destination gives you one complimentary meal at a venue and no beverages, Royal Caribbean gives you unlimited food options, juices, and waters, and your drink packages work on the island.
I started snacking at 11 AM at one of the three Snack Shacks. I ordered the mozzarella sticks I kept hearing about. Less than a minute later, they came out hot and fresh. They were so good. Crunchy and gooey with delicious flavor. They were so good, I had to get a second order later that day.
For dessert, I tried the funnel cake and brownie, both highly recommended by other cruisers. I loved that the funnel cake was personal-sized. I usually skip funnel cakes at fairs or the beach in New Jersey because they are so big. This funnel cake was hot, crispy, and the perfect size. The brownie was gooey and delicious, honestly better than some of the desserts I had in the main dining room this sailing. The quality and the fact that it was not an extra cost continued to impress me.
Two full buffets, called Skipper’s Grill and Chill Grill, are also available 11:30 to 3 PM. I also stopped by here for a quick sandwich as we made our way around the island and was surprised how uncrowded they were.
Drinks at CocoCay
As mentioned, your drink packages from the ship work on the island, so since I had the Deluxe Beverage Package, I tried a bunch of drinks around the island.
The menu is similar to what you see on the pool deck on the ship. One bartender recommended an off-menu drink, the CocoLoco. It was tasty, but I ordered it at three different bars, and each version was a little different.
I loved the floating bar at South Beach. Built on a platform, this bar makes it easy to grab a cocktail while lounging in the ocean. The water was clear and mostly soft and seaweed-free. There were even tables with umbrellas providing shade in the water.
I was least impressed by the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon. The bar was swamped, and finding a spot to place an order was hard.
For complimentary beverages, you’ll find water and juice stations in all the neighborhoods.
Beaches at CocoCay
Perfect Day has several different beaches to try.
Harbor Beach is a shallow lagoon that is usually a bit warmer than the open ocean. It is protected, so it is very calm and perfect for little kids.
South Beach is the farthest walk from the Arrival Plaza. We started at South Beach and easily got two chairs at 9:30 AM. I was surprised how natural it felt, walking through thick vegetation and winding paths to get there. I expected a theme-park feel, but it felt more natural than I thought it would. Here you will find sports activities like volleyball, basketball, and table tennis, as well as lots of loungers.
Chill Island is a big area with a lot of beach space. The water can get deep here, and Royal Caribbean says this is the best place for snorkeling and water sports. While here, we saw groups go out on jet skis through an official excursion, and a lot of people on floating mats available from Royal Caribbean. This space is supposed to have a more chill, relaxing vibe, but while in the water, I did not notice a big difference from other areas.
Pools at CocoCay
Perfect Day technically has three pools, but only one is open to everyone. That is Oasis Lagoon, located in the center of the island. It is a massive pool, formerly the largest in the Caribbean, and it can hold a lot of people.
Tip: Go under the water in Oasis Lagoon, and you will hear music being pumped underneath that you cannot hear above.
The pool is zero entry, so you do not have to worry about steps or a ladder to get in. The water ranges in depth from waist-deep to deeper than I could, though I am 6 feet tall. In the center are islands with live plants and some benches for those who just want to relax in the water. The bottom is rubberized, so it is easy on the feet, but I could feel the coating starting to wrinkle and come up. The pool is likely overdue for maintenance.
A large bar is stationed on one side where you can sit and grab a drink, or take one with you. It is a sizeable bar, but it is also really popular, and they cannot serve hundreds of people as quickly as most would like. It does not help that most people are ordering frozen drinks, which take longer since they are blended to order and not pre-made.
Tip: Grab a drink somewhere else and bring it into the pool. The pool bar line is too long.
The other two pools are in extra-fee areas. Hideaway Beach is the only adults-only area on the island and has a massive infinity pool overlooking the shore. It is also heated, which is nice in January and February when the temperature might only be in the mid-70s. The cost for our sailing was 90 dollars per person, which felt too high for two extra food options, a heated pool, and no kids. It is not intimate either. It can hold thousands of people and has more of a Vegas party vibe with a poolside DJ.
The other option is Coco Beach Club, which has a smaller pool. This venue is a higher-end area with elevated food, even comfier lounges, and far fewer people. It is more relaxed and exclusive. Usually, it runs around 150 to 250 dollars per person.
The island also has two kids’ splash areas available to everyone. One is shaped like a pirate ship, and the other is a more traditional splash park with slides and a huge dump bucket. It is a really good setup, especially compared to splash areas at Carnival’s newest destination, Celebration Key, which are glorified sprinklers, or Norwegian’s soon-to-be-completed Stirrup Cay renovations, which also start with splash features. The facilities for kids here are like what you would pay for at home.
Crowds at CocoCay with Two Icon Class Ships
Today, the two largest cruise ships in the world were in port, Star of the Seas and its sister ship, Icon of the Seas. According to the dining manager I spoke with, neither ship was at full capacity. We had roughly 5,500 people, and Icon had 6,500. That means the island could potentially have 3,200 more people than what we experienced today.
Having never experienced the island before, I found it refreshingly not crowded. I never waited in a line at any Snack Shack or the buffet. Bars did not have waits either, except for the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon, which had a frustratingly long wait. Adding a bar cart in the area would be a huge help. Towel swaps were also easy since those towels absorb so much water that it is nice to change them out a few times.
The main pool, Oasis Lagoon, was busy and parts felt crowded, but there was still plenty of empty space in the water to get away from others. The water at Chill Island and South Beach was also uncrowded. Chairs were relatively full, but we moved our stuff three times to test different areas and never had a problem finding two loungers.
That was my experience as a first-time visitor. Speaking to other cruisers who have been there several times, they said it was really crowded and they struggled to find loungers at Chill Island. They arrived later in the day, which likely contributed.
Overall, I was impressed with how the island handled crowds. If you want a more exclusive vibe with fewer people, your best bet is to upgrade to Coco Beach Club. While pricey, it is capacity-controlled.
Overall Impression of Perfect Day at CocoCay
There is a reason I have not gone on a cruise that visited Perfect Day at CocoCay yet. I had not seen the value. Based on commercials and marketing, it felt like a floating theme park, which did not appeal to me. In reality, I was surprised how much it did not feel like that. Yes, there is a waterpark in the middle and a zip line, but if you are not near them, you do not see them. Many areas feel natural, with thick palm trees and vegetation.
The island is big enough that there is something for everyone, but not so big that it is unmanageable. The farthest neighborhood was a 15-minute walk from the Arrival Plaza, or 20 minutes from the ship, which is not bad, and there is a tram. It is small enough that you could easily go back to the ship for a quick nap for kids or if you forgot something, and still return to the island without hassle.
I was also impressed by how much is included. Yes, you can book the zip line, the helium balloon, or the waterpark, but you do not miss out by skipping these attractions. Almost all the food is included, and it is good. Better yet, your Wi-Fi and drink packages work on the island.
The only thing you do not get is that alone-on-a-beach feeling. On Carnival’s Half Moon Cay, I could walk down the beach and feel like I had it to myself. At some ports, I can go to a private beach like Maya Chan in Costa Maya, and it feels secluded. You will not get that at Perfect Day, but I did not miss it as much as I thought.
Afternoon Nap in a Noisy Infinity Balcony Cabin
After spending most of the day at Perfect Day, I headed back to the cabin for a quick nap. All the food, drinks, and sun really wore me out.
Unfortunately, it was easier said than done. The ship was loud with slamming doors both above and below us. It was annoying, and I had not experienced that on a ship in a while. Some guests mentioned it is because the ship is new and the doors have to be “broken in,” but it definitely was irritating. I never heard a single voice from another cabin or the hallway the whole cruise, but the slamming doors and thuds from above happened often.
Since I could not sleep, I went to the Infinity Balcony to watch sail away. I pressed the button, and the glass slowly lowered to balcony height. Immediately, humidity and heat rushed in, fogging up the mirror. The temperature went up five degrees according to the thermostat. The air conditioning will not run while the window is open, understandably, so the cabin basically becomes the outside.
This moment is when I understood people’s complaints about these cabins. I sailed in an Infinity Veranda on Celebrity Apex in Norway a few weeks before (read about that here) and absolutely loved it, but now I see the trade-off. On hot-weather cruises, you can lose the separation of space with this cabin type. Either everyone is hot and outside, or they are not. It is not like one person can nap comfortably while the other relaxes on a warm balcony. That said, for my needs and how I use the balcony, the Infinity Balcony concept still works for me. I rarely sail in the summer, and in the cooler months, it might be nice, even in the Caribbean.
Boleros for Pre-Dinner Drinks
For pre-dinner drinks, we checked out Boleros on the top level of the Royal Promenade. The venue was pretty much dead. The stage for live musicians was empty, and only a handful of tables were taken. It was a stark contrast to the Boleros I have seen on other Royal Caribbean ships, which are usually full.
Overall, I did not love the design. It felt more like a hallway lounge than a dedicated bar, a similar issue I felt in the Schooner Bar.
I ordered the Girl From Ipanema, which looked pretty and tropical, and the aquafaba added a nice thick froth on top. I also tried the Fiestas Patrias, a fresh watermelon drink with mezcal. The bartender warned that it would be smoky because of the mezcal. The smokiness worked well.
Later on in the evening, when I walked by, the place had live music and was very busy, a big difference from what I experienced earlier in the evening. It’s confusing why they don’t have live music here more often instead of a Promenade DJ.
Dinner in the Main Dining Room
We had 7 PM reservations in the main dining room and were seated immediately. Like the other two nights, we had the same waiter and the same table, which I appreciate. The waiter already knew I would want a Diet Coke and offered the wine menu in case there was something else I wanted.
I started with French onion soup again, which was really hot and delicious. I got the pesto tagliatelle for my main, a delicious dish with fresh pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.
I finished with a blueberry cobbler that was a bit underwhelming. It tasted like they used canned blueberry compote or pie filling with streusel on top. I usually prefer cobblers with berries that burst as you bite into them.
We were in and out in 50 minutes. It was on the quick side, but it didn’t feel rushed; we could have taken our time. Service again was terrific and very attentive.
Very Crowded Dueling Pianos
After dinner, we headed to Dueling Pianos, the new bar that debuted on Icon Class ships. The concept is two pianists taking requests and layering in comedy with the music. On land, you might have seen the Howl at the Moon chain that does this.
I was really looking forward to this. I love the energy of dueling pianos and wanted to see how it worked at sea. Icon Class ships have this in addition to another piano venue, the Schooner Bar.
Tip: If you want to see Dueling Pianos, get there early. It fills up for every performance.
We arrived 30 minutes early, and all the tables were already almost full. The way Dueling Pianos is scheduled, it feels more like a 90-minute show than a place you pop into for a few songs. People arrive early and grab seating just like a show, which makes it essential to get there ahead of time. The bar holds 131 people, more than most other bars on the ship, but it is still not big enough.
With all the complaints about Icon of the Seas that this venue was too small, it was odd that Royal Caribbean did not change much. The space is not small per se, but the seating is not optimal. There were no two tops, so some tables were not fully utilized, and lots of booths were not fully utilized either. There was some bar rail seating, but it was the minority. It was mostly big, bulky tables, which is odd since they do not serve food here. Small cocktail tables would do.
They would do better to take a note from Carnival’s piano bar design, with more lounge-style seating and small cocktail tables, plus tiered seating so it is lower stools at the front and bar stools at the back to ensure good views. The crowd eventually pours into the promenade to peek over the bar, but bottles and equipment block the view. They should remove those and add exterior bar seating, or make it like the Spotlight Karaoke bar below, and move it to the side. I do not understand why Royal Caribbean did not refine this space between the two ships.
The bar was absolutely packed, but a few waiters circulated. This venue probably had the biggest struggle with drink service, mostly because of how crowded it was. The bar has a dedicated menu. I tried the Pop Rocks drink. It was cute for the novelty, but it tasted like Pop Rocks with a sweet drink. They did not enhance each other.
The two performers, Justin Golan and Sarah Angel, were really talented and able to play almost any requested song. While one performed, you could see the other looking up requests and sounding out songs to get ready. In between, they had a lot of interaction with the crowd, which was enjoyable. The show is “kid-friendly” before 10 PM, and after that, it is open season for raunchier songs and curse words.
The crowd really responded. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. We came back for the 11 PM show, and it was even more energetic and rowdier. That time, we had to stand outside because there was no room inside. While the sound was fine, some TVs outside would have been nice so you could see what was happening.
Overall, Dueling Pianos was really fun and lived up to the hype, but it is not revolutionary. Norwegian Cruise Line has official Howl at the Moon bars on some Breakaway Class ships. MSC has a dueling piano bar on its World Class ships. Celebrity is adding dueling piano shows to the upcoming Celebrity Xcel. Carnival has long had piano bars on its ships. While not dueling pianos, they bring similar energy and crowd interaction with comedy mixed in.
The Attic for Comedy
Our next stop was a comedy show in The Attic. In all my Royal Caribbean cruises, I have only been to a comedy show once, for two reasons. One, they only have a handful of shows on a sailing. Two, they often put it in a venue that is too small. On Oasis Class ships, I have never been able to get in (they have been renovating the newer Oasis Class ships to remove The Attic and instead putting comedy in the main theater).
On Icon Class, comedy is in The Attic, a dedicated venue that seems pretty deserted the rest of the time. It holds only 159 people, about 2 percent of guests. With only three shows that day, fewer than 500 people could see it. Compare that to my cruise on the Carnival Celebration (read about that cruise here), where they had seven shows in one night and each of their two comedy venues held double the capacity of The Attic.
Tip: For comedy shows, reserve ahead in the app when the production show, ice show, and AquaTheater show reservations open. There is a standby line that opens 10 minutes before to fill any empty seats.
We got there 12 minutes before the 9:20 PM show and grabbed seats in the back. The back fills first at comedy shows, with the front filling last since no one wants to be a target. As soon as we sat, a waiter took our drink order. The venue uses the standard fleetwide drink menu, so no special comedy cocktail here.
This evening, Royal Caribbean had three different comics, each doing a 15-minute set. I like the variety. Comedy is subjective, and if you do not like one, you might like the next. All the comics seemed to have been working with Royal Caribbean for a while, and for the most part, they did good sets. They felt less polished than acts I have seen on Carnival, but not as strong as ones I have seen on Norwegian.
Silent Disco in Absolute Zero
After the comedy show, we headed to Absolute Zero for a silent disco. A silent disco has no speakers playing in the venue. All music is played through wireless headphones that let you select one of three tracks. Two DJs control the three tracks, and you see people switching as the event goes on.
Tip: On Royal Caribbean, you do not need to fill out forms or hand over your room key. You just grab a headset and head to the dance floor.
Absolute Zero was an excellent space for this event. They slid a solid floor over the ice rink and used projection mapping and the video screen to create an immersive experience. For those who did not want to dance, seating around the rink made it easy to listen and people watch. They brought a bar cart onto the floor, so it was easy to grab a drink without going far.
I liked that this one did not play music over speakers. That meant you only heard people singing along and footsteps as they danced to the different music. It made it more interesting.
While the visual effects were cool, the DJs were pretty amateur. One track was always Latin music and seemed like a set playlist. The other two seemed manned by the DJs, but they did not mix. They just played one song after another, like hitting next on a playlist. I prefer when DJs interact more. If they see everyone listening to one station, they can switch things up to balance the crowd.
Overall, it was a fun event, but less well attended and energetic than others I have seen on other ships. I do not know if the venue is so big that it feels underattended, if people were doing other things, or if Absolute Zero is so out of the way that fewer people found it. On Celebrity Apex, it was right in the Grand Plaza in the heart of the ship, so everyone walked by and wondered what was going on.
Day 3 Wrap Up
Overall, it was a great day at Perfect Day at CocoCay and on Star of the Seas. I was impressed with Perfect Day. It blew my preconceptions out of the water. I also could not believe how much was included on the island. You could easily spend the whole day without spending a single dollar. I see how people get hooked into the Royal Caribbean ecosystem.
Star of the Seas continued to impress, although some flaws in the bar design at Boleros and Dueling Pianos were very evident today.
Follow Along on our 4-Day Star of the Seas Cruise
Star of the Seas – Cruise Blog - Day 1 – Port Canaveral
Star of the Seas – Cruise Blog - Day 2 – Sea Day
Star of the Seas – Cruise Blog - Day 3 – Perfect Day at CocoCay
Star of the Seas – Cruise Blog - Day 4 – Final Sea Day
6 Hits and Misses on Star of the Seas
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