Royal Caribbean changed the cruise industry with its launch of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The cruise line changed the definition of what consumers expect in a private island by adding multiple experiences. The addition of a dock also meant passengers no longer had to ride on small tender ships to get to the island. CocoCay has multiple free beaches, a huge included pool, and added-fee experiences including a Beach Club, a waterpark, and an adults-only area.
Previously, cruise ship islands offered little more than a beach day with bars and a barbecue lunch.
Royal Caribbean’s $250 million investment in the Caribbean island essentially forced Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises to make similar investments in their own private islands.
Now, Royal Caribbean has hit a snag in its strategy to add a second Perfect Day in Costa Maya as part of its growing private destination strategy. It’s a blow, and disappointing to me as a frequent passenger, but it’s a minor setback for the cruise line.
Perfect Day is the cherry on the sundae
I like Perfect Day at CocoCay and have been there dozens of times. I’ve had days where I’ve enjoyed only the free experiences. I’ve also been to the water park with my son and to the Beach Club by myself.
On a regular visit, I enjoy Hideway Beach, the added fee adults-only area, where I know many of the servers and enjoy being able to switch from the heated pool to the ocean throughout the day. The food both at Hideaway, and in the free parts of Perfect Day at CocoCay, is also enjoyable, offering a nice change of pace from the options on the ship.
I enjoy a visit to CocoCay, which is consistently rated as one of Royal Caribbean’s top destinations by its customers, but I’ve never once booked a cruise just because it stops there.
Royal Caribbean has made its private destinations an extensions of its ships. But make no mistake: The ships are the draw.
If Royal Caribbean truly can’t build Perfect Day Mexico, or has to scale back its plans there to not include a water park, it won’t change the fact that the cruise line has been sailing with nearly-full ships booked at (or above) record pricing.
What’s happening to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean made a deal to acquire the Costa Maya cruise port back in October of 2024.
“The cruise giant is buying the port and adjacent land — totaling more than 200 acres — in what Quintana Roo Gov. Mara Lezama identified as a $600M investment,” Seatrade Cruise News reported.
In 2025, the cruise line hosted me, along with some other members of the media, to show off its massive plans to turn the property into Perfect Day Mexico. That included building a lazy river, something the cruise line said was a common customer request, and a large water park.
Mexican officials have now denied those plans.
“We are not going to approve Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day project,” said Alicia Bárcena, secretary of the environment and natural resources, during a SEMARNAT (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) news conference.
This closely followed Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum’s remarks on May 18 that SEMARNAT was conducting a very detailed analysis of the project, adding “but I can already tell you that we are not going to do anything that puts the ecological balance of that area at risk,” Seatrade Cruise News reported.
Royal Caribbean has not dropped the project, according to a statement from the company.
“Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico,” the cruise line shared with Royal Caribbean Blog, which is not affiliated with the company.
Royal Caribbean does not need Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean has two private destination types: Perfect Day, which is included in the cost of your cruise, and Beach Clubs, which require a day pass. It’s logical to think that Royal Caribbean could scale back Perfect Day Mexico, and either make it a more classic beach-based destination or turn it into a Beach Club.
More Perfect Day at CocoCay:
- What you get at Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway Beach at CocoCay
- Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean bet billions on same thing
- Royal Caribbean, other cruise lines face Bahamas island problem
The cruise line’s Beach Club in Nassau offers pools, beaches, food, and drinks. It does not have a water park. You pay to get in, not for anything added (aside from cabanas and upgraded seating) on the inside.
This is not the end of the Costa Maya project, according to Royal Caribbean Blog editor Matt Hochberg.
“The prepared statement by the cruise line appears to indicate they still have an intention to move forward with the project in one form of another. It’s simply too early to know exactly what that will look like, but a new proposal will need to be sent to the Mexican government for approval,” he shared.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a trip.)
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