Cruise line private islands: CocoCay vs Great Stirrup Cay

What is free at CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay?

This comparison covers two private destinations in the Bahamas that are run by the line whose ships call there: Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay. [1] [4] Both mix no-extra-cost beach and pool time with separately sold facilities, and both publish the split area by area.

Royal Caribbean summarises CocoCay as nearly all free with the cruise fare, with Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club, cabanas and excursions as the premium add-ons. [1] Amenities listed as included are tram service, lounge chairs, umbrellas and beach towels. [1] Complimentary food comes from three Snack Shack locations, Chill Grill and Skipper's Grill. [1] Individual drinks are charged to the SeaPass card, and beverage packages bought on board carry over to the island. [1]

Norwegian's page describes Great Stirrup Cay the same way: every visit includes access to expansive beaches, complimentary dining, a resort-style pool and a kids' splash pad. [4] A self-guided snorkel garden is listed as complimentary, and the island has a tram plus a bridge linking ship and shore. [4] Complimentary dining named on the page includes Jumbey Beach Grill, the Tropic Like It's Hot food truck and hot dog carts. [4] The Free at Sea beverage package applies across the whole island. [4]

Who can visit each private island, and how do you get ashore?

Royal Caribbean describes CocoCay as its private destination, exclusively for the line's guests. [1] Inside the island, entry is sold by area: Hideaway Beach is an adults-only neighbourhood restricted to guests aged 18 and over and entered with a day pass, [1] and Coco Beach Club is entered with a day pass that covers the private beach, clubhouse, infinity pool, beach chairs, towels and complimentary dining at the club restaurant. [1]

On the Norwegian side, the new pier at Great Stirrup Cay provides easy access on select sailings, a bridge connects ship and shore directly to the pool area, and a tram runs from the Welcome Plaza. [4] Guests staying in Silver Cove villas are given priority arrival and departure. [4]

Cruise planning pages such as cruises and cruise shore excursions cover the rest of the day ashore.

Which private-island facilities cost extra?

CocoCay sells its paid facilities as day passes and cabana bookings. Thrill Waterpark, which Royal Caribbean lists with 14 waterslides as of 18 October 2026, including Daredevil's Peak at 135 feet, is entered with a full-day pass. [1] The Coco Beach Club pass covers the club's beach, pool and restaurant, and the Overwater Cabanas there are described as the first in The Bahamas. [1] Cabanas elsewhere on the island hold up to 8 guests, except the Thrill Waterpark cabana, which holds up to 6. [1] The ZipLine Takeoff, the Up, Up & Away balloon ride and watersports such as jet skiing, kayaking and parasailing are all charged separately. [1]

Great Stirrup Cay groups its paid options in the same way. Great Tides Waterpark — with 11 waterslides, a river ride, cliff-jumping platforms, a kids' area and a grotto bar — carries an additional cost. [4] Silver Cove is a private enclave of villas for 6 to 16 guests with air conditioning, a full bathroom, a private beach, an exclusive restaurant and bar, and spa access, also at additional cost. [4] Vibe Shore Club is an adults-only beach club with a private bar, complimentary dining, daybeds and cabanas, likewise priced as an extra. [4] The Flighthouse Zipline, Cabanas on the Cay and WaveRunner and kayak rentals are listed as additional cost too. [4]

Exceptions and limits

• Onboard charging follows you ashore. At CocoCay, passengers are advised to carry their SeaPass card and cash, and individual drinks are billed to the card. [1] Norwegian describes Great Stirrup Cay as an extension of its ships, so the Free at Sea beverage package applies across the island. [4]
• Age rules differ by area. Hideaway Beach is restricted to guests 18 and over, [1] while children under 14 need a ticketed guest aged 14 or older to enter Thrill Waterpark, where admission is free for children under four. [1]
• Size limits apply on rides. Daredevil's Tower waterslides require a minimum height of 48 inches and a maximum rider weight of 300 lb, and the Up, Up & Away balloon ride requires 48 inches and a weight between 75 and 275 lb. [1]
• Pier access is not universal. Norwegian says its pier provides easy access to Great Stirrup Cay on select sailings, [4] so how a ship reaches the island is decided per sailing and per ship; the general mechanics of tender calls are set out in cruise tender ports.
• Capacity limits. Norwegian says access to Silver Cove is limited, [4] and Royal Caribbean sells CocoCay cabanas by capacity, most for up to 8 guests and the Thrill Waterpark cabana for up to 6. [1]
• Other private destinations are outside this comparison. Holland America Line lists Half Moon Cay among the destinations it owns, [5] and its facilities, access rules and extra costs are not compared here.

Frequently asked questions

Is food free on cruise line private islands?

Some of it is. Royal Caribbean lists Snack Shack, Chill Grill and Skipper's Grill as complimentary eateries at CocoCay, with Captain Jack's and the Coco Beach Club restaurant charged separately. [1] Norwegian lists complimentary dining spots at Great Stirrup Cay including Jumbey Beach Grill and the Tropic Like It's Hot food truck. [4]

Can you use a drinks package on a private island?

Yes at both destinations. Beverage packages bought on board transfer to CocoCay, where individual drinks are billed to the SeaPass card, [1] and Norwegian's Free at Sea package applies across Great Stirrup Cay. [4]

Is Thrill Waterpark included at CocoCay?

No. Thrill Waterpark is sold as a full-day pass. [1] Admission is free for children under four, and children under 14 must be with a ticketed guest aged 14 or older. [1]

Do you need a day pass for Hideaway Beach?

Yes. Hideaway Beach at CocoCay is adults-only, restricted to guests aged 18 and over, and entered with a Hideaway Beach Day Pass that includes five bars and two complimentary dining venues; cabanas there cost extra. [1]

How do you get from the ship to Great Stirrup Cay?

Norwegian says its new pier gives direct access on select sailings, with a bridge to the pool area and a tram from the Welcome Plaza. [4]

Related pages

Plan the sailing with cruises, compare what happens on a port day in cruise shore excursions, read how ships reach the beach in cruise tender ports, and look up unfamiliar terms in the frequent flyer encyclopedia glossary.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay are covered; Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay appears only as a destination the line lists as its own. [5] Other cruise lines' private destinations are not covered here.

1. Royal Caribbean — Perfect Day CocoCay, checked 18 October 2026
2. Norwegian Cruise Line — Great Stirrup Cay, checked 18 October 2026
3. Holland America Line — Half Moon Cay, checked 18 October 2026