First-ever overwater cabanas in the Bahamas now open
In a first, there now are floating cabanas for rent in the Bahamas -- and super pricey ones at that. But not just anyone can book them.
Costing more than $1,500 per day during peak times, the 20 new overwater hideaways only are accessible to vacationers arriving on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
The swanky digs are part of Royal Caribbean's just-opened Coco Beach Club, an exclusive new area at the line's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Unveiled on Friday, the area also offers a ritzy private beach, infinity pool, upscale restaurant and al fresco bar.
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Royal Caribbean passengers can buy a day pass to the Coco Beach Club starting at $54 per person. But a stay in one of the overwater cabanas is going to set you back at least a grand. Pricing starts at $999 and rises during busy periods.
That's quite a chunk of change, given that you won't even be spending the night. Royal Caribbean ships typically arrive at Perfect Day at CocoCay around 7 a.m. and leave by 5 p.m.
On the positive side, the cabana pricing includes access for up to eight people.
The cabanas also come with some cool perks, including a dedicated attendant who's there to tend to your every whim, and complimentary access to the Coco Beach Club restaurant. It serves up the sort of fancy cuisine you rarely find at a cruise line's private island (fresh lobster is on the menu, as is grouper and steak).
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Each of the cabanas boasts a slide that will whisk you into the crystal-clear Bahamian water. Or just take a leap off the cabana's edge.
A sofa, lounge chairs, wet bar, freshwater shower and overwater hammock round out the amenities you'll find at the units. There's also complimentary snorkel gear.
In addition to the overwater cabanas, the new Coco Beach Club area also has 10 beach cabanas. Travelers with tight budgets, take note: They are less expensive than the overwater cabanas.
Well, OK, somewhat less expensive — they still start at a cool $699.
As with the overwater cabanas, the beach cabana pricing includes access for up to eight people.
For those who don't splurge on a cabana, the day pass to the Coco Beach Club gets you access to the beach area, chairs and umbrellas. Plus, you can take a dip in the infinity pool. It measures 2,600 square feet and features in-pool loungers, day beds and poolside service.
The pool is backed by a stylish, open-air clubhouse.
Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles
The opening of Coco Beach Club marks the completion of a $250 million transformation of Perfect Day at CocoCay that began more than a year ago. The overhaul included the addition of a waterpark with 13 slides, the most of any waterpark in the Bahamas or Caribbean. Other additions included the region’s biggest wave pool and the region’s largest freshwater pool.
On top of opening Coco Beach Club, Royal Caribbean in recent days also has officially reopened the South Beach area at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Open to all passengers at no extra charge, it now offers 10 new beachfront cabanas in addition to complimentary beach chairs, a floating bar and a sports court for volleyball and basketball.
This year, 16 Royal Caribbean vessels will stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Vacationers will find voyages to the island from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in Florida; Bayonne, New Jersey (one of the cruise ports in the New York City area); and Galveston, Texas.
Royal Caribbean expects to carry 2 million people to the island this year.
Planning a cruise for 2020? Our planning guide starts here:
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.