Skip to content

First-ever overwater cabanas in the Bahamas now open

Feb. 03, 2020
6 min read
First-ever overwater cabanas in the Bahamas now open
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

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.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

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 first floating cabanas in The Bahamas have opened at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.
The first floating cabanas in The Bahamas have opened at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

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

Sign up for our daily newsletter

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.

The floating cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay have lots of lounge space. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.
The floating cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay have lots of lounge space. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

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

An infinity pool and an open-air club house are among the allures of Royal Caribbean's new Coco Beach Club. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.
An infinity pool and an open-air club house are among the allures of Royal Caribbean's new Coco Beach Club. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

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.

An aerial view of the new Coco Beach Club at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island in The Bahamas. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

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:

Featured image by The first floating cabanas in The Bahamas have opened at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Top offers from our partners

How we chose these cards

Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
See all best card offers

TPG featured card

OFFER ENDS 5/3/23
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

2 - 6X points
6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 125,000 points75,000 points
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

Annual Fee

$125

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.
Apply for Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
    75,000 points
  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.