You’ve seen the commercials - towering waterslides, thrilling drops, and nonstop fun at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. For kids who love waterparks and adventure, it looks like a dream come true. But with so much already included at CocoCay, is the upgrade really necessary?
That’s exactly the question I wanted to answer after visiting CocoCay and experiencing the Thrill Waterpark for myself. There are things I wish I’d known before I went, from where to find a quieter place to lounge to what you should consider before spending the extra money.
And here’s the thing - my kids absolutely loved the Thrill Waterpark! Both had a fantastic time enjoying the attractions, and they were genuinely sad when it was time to leave. But does that mean it’s the right splurge for every family? Not necessarily!
First Things First: You Don’t Have to Pay Extra to Enjoy CocoCay!
Let’s start with something important: admission to the main areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. You can spend your day enjoying beautiful beaches, relaxing in complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas, swimming in Oasis Lagoon, or letting the kids splash around at Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon.
The Thrill Waterpark is an additional-cost experience, and it’s not the only upgrade available. Other paid options include Hideaway Beach, the adults-only beach area; Coco Beach Club, with its more upscale beach experience; and attractions such as the zip line and Up, Up and Away helium balloon.
What’s Included With the Thrill Waterpark Admission?
If you decide to splurge on the Thrill Waterpark, admission gives you access to its waterslides, wave pool, and Adventure Pool. There are 14 waterslides across two towers, offering a mix of high-adrenaline drops, racing slides, and rides you can experience with family or friends.
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find inside:
● Daredevil’s Tower: Home to Daredevil’s Peak, the towering 135-foot slide, along with other thrilling slides.
● Splash Summit: The other slide tower, featuring The Slingshot, Twister, Splash Speedway, and Tailspin. These rides offer options for rafting, racing, and sharing the experience with other riders.
● Wave Pool: A large wave pool where you can cool off and enjoy some time in the water between rides.
● Adventure Pool: This area features a floating obstacle course, a climbing wall, and swing ropes, giving kids and adventurous adults another way to play.
Food is another perk. The Snack Shack inside the waterpark serves complimentary food, so you can grab something to eat without leaving the park and missing out on the fun. However, just like on the ship, sodas and alcoholic beverages aren’t automatically included with your waterpark admission. You can purchase drinks individually or use your eligible Royal Caribbean beverage package at CocoCay, too!
You also don’t need to bring your own life jacket. Complimentary life jackets are available throughout the island and inside the Thrill Waterpark. Beach towels are provided onboard the ship and can be exchanged for fresh ones at any of the towel stations throughout the day. Just remember that the towels are part of the ship’s check-out/check-in system, so you need to bring them back onboard with you.
Check Those Height Requirements Before You Buy!
If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of my biggest pieces of advice: Check the height requirements for the slides before purchasing your tickets. Not every slide has the same restrictions, and you don’t want to spend money on admission only to discover that your child can’t ride some of the attractions they were most excited about.
This is where having a travel advisor can really help. I can help you understand what to look into before your visit so you can make a more informed decision about whether the upgrade makes sense for your family.
My Favorite Tip: Don’t Settle for the First Lounge Chair You See
One thing I loved about CocoCay was how much complimentary seating was available. There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas throughout the island, including inside the Thrill Waterpark.
When you first enter the waterpark, the natural flow of the path leads you toward the wave pool. It’s a fun area, but it can get pretty crowded as guests arrive and look for a place to settle in. Here’s the tip I wish everyone knew - keep walking and explore the seating areas near Splash Summit, the tower featuring The Slingshot. I found this area to be a bit more tucked away, with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. It felt like a hidden gem compared with the busier area near the wave pool. If you want a home base for your family while you take turns on the slides, it’s worth checking out before claiming the first available spot you see.
You Don’t Have to Spend the Entire Day in the Waterpark
This is another detail worth knowing before you go - your Thrill Waterpark admission allows you to leave and re-enter throughout the day. You aren’t locked into spending every minute inside the park just because you purchased a ticket. You can head out to enjoy another beach or pool, grab a change of scenery, and return to the waterpark later.
Honestly, I wish I had planned our day a little better! My family spent almost the entire day at the Thrill Waterpark, and when it was finally time to leave, we decided to check out Oasis Lagoon, CocoCay’s enormous pool area. What I didn’t realize was that we’d walk right past Splashaway Bay, which is much bigger than the one on the ship! It’s an entire water playground packed with slides, water spouts, and plenty of places for kids to splash and play. My youngest really wanted to stay, but by that point, we were all exhausted and ready to head back to the ship. Looking back, I wish I’d planned our time a little differently so we could have enjoyed more of what CocoCay has to offer!
A Little Patience Can Go a Long Way in the Slide Lines
One thing I wish had been clearer during my visit was how the lines worked at the Splash Summit Tower. The signage wasn’t always obvious about where guests should line up for the different slides, which led to lines mixing together and people becoming frustrated when they thought someone was cutting.
My advice is to take a moment to look at the queue setup before joining a line. Pay attention to the signs and ask a crew member if you aren’t sure where you should be. It can save you some frustration and help you avoid accidentally joining the wrong line.
I also recommend arriving early if riding as many slides as possible is your priority. Wait times can vary depending on how many ships are in port and how busy the park gets, so getting started earlier gives you more opportunity to enjoy the rides.
Two Things to Pack for Your Perfect Day at CocoCay
Don’t forget a sun shirt! When you’re standing in line for the waterslides, you can spend quite a bit of time in the sun without realizing it. Your shoulders will thank you later! This tip goes for kids and adults alike.
Planning to ride the zip line? Be sure to pack appropriate shoes. You’ll need closed-toe shoes secured around the back of your foot, so sneakers or enclosed water shoes are great options.
So, Is the Thrill Waterpark Worth the Splurge?
If your family loves waterslides, enjoys being active, and wants to spend a good portion of the day riding attractions, the Thrill Waterpark can be a fantastic splurge. With waterslides, a wave pool, an obstacle course, a climbing wall, and swing ropes, there’s plenty to do! The ability to leave and re-enter gives you flexibility to enjoy other parts of the island, too.
For my family, the experience was a hit. Both of my kids loved the entire waterpark, and they were sad when it was time to leave. That’s the kind of experience that can make an upgrade feel worthwhile!
If you have younger children who may not meet the height requirements for many of the slides, or if your ideal day involves swimming, relaxing under an umbrella and enjoying a beautiful beach, I’d take a closer look at the complimentary areas before spending the extra money. I’d also compare the price of admission with how much time you realistically expect to spend in the park. Prices fluctuate, and the value can look very different depending on the rate available for your sailing.
The Bottom Line
Perfect Day at CocoCay lets you make the day your own, whether you stick with what’s included in your cruise fare or splurge on extra experiences.
My advice? Know what you’re paying for, check height requirements, explore beyond the first crowded area, and plan around your family’s interests. The Thrill Waterpark can be worth the upgrade for the right traveler, but you don’t need it to have a perfect day.
Not sure what’s right for your cruise? As a travel advisor, I’m happy to help you make the most of your vacation dollars and focus on the experiences that matter most to you!
If you want to start planning your next vacation, click the link below to get connected with one of our advisors.
