Royal Caribbean named its non-public island in The Bahamas “good”, and the moniker actually holds up should you’ve been there to expertise it.
Ever since Good Day at CocoCay opened in 2019, it has been a revelation as to what a personal cruise line seashore day could be due to all of the choices supplied.
Royal Caribbean opened Good Day at CocoCay in phases, going again to 2018 when development on a few of the first areas to be accomplished started permitting friends in.
A kind of areas was the Oasis Lagoon, and it is since grow to be my go-to spot, each time we go to CocoCay.
At its opening, Oasis Lagoon was the biggest freshwater pool within the Caribbean. It covers 33,175 sq. toes, which makes it huge.
Whether or not or not it nonetheless holds that title, it is precisely what I would like from my non-public island day.
Whereas I feel most individuals on a cruise favor the seashore, I like a pool day higher. I haven’t got to fret the place I stroll, there are not any creatures lurking, and the water is all the time refreshing.
Royal Caribbean did not simply construct a large pool, they added the perfect swim-up bar I had ever been to, full with seats on each side.
Company can swim up and sit on the bar, or choose to go to the “dry facet” and luxuriate in drinks with out being within the water.
There is not any value to entry Oasis Lagoon or any of the chairs and umbrellas close by.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean shared the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon is among the highest rated points of interest on the island.
There are additionally small islands all through Oasis Lagoon so that you can sit at as nicely, with vegetation and bushes that present simply the correct quantity of shade.
For years I might instantly go to Oasis Lagoon first on nearly each go to as a result of it supplied precisely what I needed from my day. Generally we would enterprise elsewhere and ebook a spot on the Coco Seaside Membership or one of many seashores. However I all the time most popular going to Oasis Lagoon.
The one downside I had with Oasis Lagoon was it tended to draw the celebration crowd due to the DJ that was initially positioned close to the swim-up bar.
I do not thoughts a celebration vibe to my pool day, however it developed over time and have become extra raucous, particularly when there have been 20 and 30 12 months olds hanging there.
When it bought loud, I both loved it, or moved to a unique finish of the pool.
A giant shift within the dynamic of Oasis Lagoon occurred in 2024 when Royal Caribbean opened its adults-only space, Hideaway Seaside.
A good larger swim-up bar and large pool was added to this space, and with it, went the DJ.
Royal Caribbean purposefully introduced over that celebration vibe that had grown at Oasis Lagoon to Hideaway.
Of their analysis to create the last word day for adults, suggestions indicated friends desire a drink of their hand with music to get pleasure from.
For the reason that opening of Hideaway Seaside, the DJ has been faraway from Oasis Lagoon and changed with a programmed musical setlist.
The outcome has been the power at Oasis Lagoon has been extra subdued than pre-2024 ranges, and I feel it is made it higher.
With out the DJ to lift the quantity, I feel the pool has remained enjoyable and pleasing with out feeling like a Vegas pool celebration.
I am certain everybody has their very own emotions on what’s the proper stage of music, power, and partying for a pool. However I feel Royal Caribbean has discovered a brand new regular for Oasis Lagoon that actually meshes nicely with out being overbearing.
To be truthful, Hideaway Seaside’s pool is heated, whereas Oasis Lagoon’s pool is heated by the solar and nothing else. It may be downright frigid in Oasis Lagoon at occasions.
Whereas Hideaway Seaside is newer, flashier, and has restricted entry, I feel Oasis Lagoon is a enjoyable spot to go to, and contemplating it is included in your cruise fare, it is arduous to go up that worth.
My favourite Oasis Lagoon suggestions and methods
Whereas having fun with Oasis Lagoon, listed here are a couple of concepts to maximise your day.
Should you purchased a Royal Caribbean drink bundle, you possibly can get pleasure from drinks on the pool too. There is not any extra cost, and that is an effective way to get your worth again from a drink bundle.
Likewise, if you’re a Diamond member or greater in Crown and Anchor Society, the day by day drink vouchers work right here too.
And no, you don’t want to deliver the soda cups with you off your ship to make use of them at Oasis Lagoon (or anyplace at CocoCay).
Similar to at a bar on the ship, you simply have to let the crew member know you wish to use a drink voucher.
If you’re feeling a bit hungry, the Snack Shack is just some steps away from Oasis Lagoon.
The quickest strategy to get there’s exit the Oasis Lagoon pool on the “proper facet” of the bar. When dealing with the swim-up bar, there is a set of stairs out of the pool on the precise facet.
Stroll previous the smoking space and you may see it throughout the tram path.
The Snack Shack is included in your cruise fare and has a few of my favourite meals, such because the mozzarella sticks, funnel cake, and the “secret sandwich” which you can solely order by title.
Should you want shade however do not wish to get out of the water, you’ll find a number of beneath the bridge that is close to the bar.
There’s all the time shade right here, and it is near the bar, so you do not have to enterprise far to get a refill.
There are islands and loungers within the water, and they’re first-come, first-reserved.
My recommendation is get off the ship very early if you wish to nab considered one of them.