Disney Cruise Line has always been known for its fantastic private island, Castaway Cay. Lately, Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay has received a lot of praise from family cruisers. Let’s take a look at some similarities and differences between these two cruise line private islands.
Location and Size
Both islands are located in the Bahamas. Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay is located near Abaco. The island is 1000 acres, or about three miles long and two miles wide. Only 55 acres are developed, while the rest of the island is untouched. Only one ship docks at a time.
Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay is located nearby in the Berry Islands. CocoCay is significantly smaller than Castaway Cay at one kilometer wide and 183 meters long. Almost the entire island is developed after the recent “Perfect Day at CocoCay” $250 million renovation. CocoCay has a dock that can fit up to two ships.
Beaches
Castaway Cay has two family beaches and an adults-only beach. A section of the beach is roped off for water sports and snorkeling. Free loungers and umbrellas are available.
CocoCay has four main beaches: Chill Beach, Lagoon Beach, South Beach and Coco Beach Club (opening in December). All beaches are for all ages, but Coco Beach Club has an extra charge. There is a separate area for snorkeling and water sports.
Cabanas
Castaway Cay has 20 cabanas on the family beach. Concierge guests get first priority to reserve cabanas, and it is nearly impossible to reserve one unless you are concierge. The cabanas fit 6-10 people and cost $671 in the winter and $727 in the summer. One of these cabanas fits 10-16 people at a cost of $966. Castaway Cay also has four cabanas at the adults-only beach for $429. Cabanas include seating, refrigerator, safe, ceiling fan, towels, magazines and sunscreen. Outside, cabanas have a shower and hammock. The cost includes fruit and snacks (chips and granola bars) as well as bottled water and soft drinks. Each cabana also comes with float rental and bike rental. Beverage service is provided, but food service is not.
CocoCay has over 100 cabanas, daybeds and bungalows spread out over various parts of the island. Bookings are available online well in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. I was able to reserve a South Beach cabana over a year and a half before our next cruise. Cabana prices vary widely based on season, ship and availability. I’ve seen cabanas as low as $299 and as high as $1700 for an overwater cabana. Cabanas include towels, chairs, USB outlets, safe, Bluetooth speaker, floating mats and snorkeling gear. Food and drink service is available.
Pools/Water Slides
Castaway Cay doesn’t have a swimming pool. It does have a splash pad for kids as well as two water slides in the ocean and a ropes obstacle course in the ocean.
CocoCay has Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. At over 30,000 square feet, this pool has several islands and a swim-up bar. CocoCay also has two complimentary splash pads for kids, Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon.
For an upcharge, guests can enter Thrill Water Park. This water park boasts the tallest water slide in North America! It also has a wave pool and an adventure pool. See this recent review of Thrill Water Park.
Once Coco Beach Club is open, guests who pay to enter will also have access to an oceanside infinity pool.
Kids’ Clubs
Castaway Cay has Scuttles Cove, a kids’ club for ages 3-12, on the island. For tween and teens, there is a Teen Hideout area that has scheduled activities throughout the day.
CocoCay has no kids’ clubs on the island.
Food
Castaway Cay has three buffet restaurants, two at the family beaches and one at the adults-only Serenity Bay. Food includes hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, salad, fruit, ice cream and cookies. The buffet at Serenity Bay usually has steak. All food and soda is complimentary.
CocoCay has complimentary food at two buffets and three fast-food joints. Food includes BBQ, hamburgers/hot dogs, taco bar, sandwiches, salads, fruit, cookies and ice cream. Soda is not complimentary, but water, lemonade and punch are available. CocoCay also has upcharge wings and fries at Captain Jack’s as well as a restaurant in the upcharge Coco Beach Club area.
Excursions
Both islands offer similar optional excursions, including parasailing, glass bottom boat rides, swimming with sting rays and snorkeling. CocoCay also has a zip line, helium balloon and offers the opportunity to swim with pigs.
Night Activities
Castaway Cay does not offer night activities. Even if a cruise stops at the island for two days in a row, the ship typically floats off-shore and re-docks the next day.
CocoCay recently started offering late night visits to CocoCay until 10 p.m. on select sailings. At night, guests are treated to fire dancers and farewell fireworks!
Characters
Castaway Cay has Disney character photo ops as well as dance parties with characters on the island.
Royal Caribbean no longer has an affiliation with Dreamworks characters, and therefore does not have any characters on CocoCay.
Other Unique Features
Castaway Cay has a 5k race with no entry fee. This is popular with many cruise guests. I ran it on my first Disney Cruise.
CocoCay has a floating swim-up bar in the ocean.
Final Thoughts
I’ve enjoyed Castaway Cay each time I’ve visited. But at the same time, I’m excited to visit CocoCay on my next Royal Caribbean cruise. Most families give it rave reviews. While CocoCay does have more optional upcharges, those extras are not necessary to enjoy the island. I like how you don’t have to sail in Concierge to get a cabana on CocoCay. Leana is visiting CocoCay next month, and I’m looking forward to hearing her opinion of the island.
Have you visited Castaway Cay and/or CocoCay? What is your opinion on these private islands?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I’ve been to Castaway Cay twice. I absolutely loved it! There’s snorkeling, swimming with sting rays, water bikes and so much more!! For the adults there are marathons, and if you want to go out for a bit by yourself they have a kids club. You can just drop your kid off for a bit – and believe me, they will have a blast. The first section of the kids club is arts and crafts, the second section is stuff like dancing, baking, more arts and crafts, movies and games. It is so much fun! There is a buffet on the island (castaway cay) which I’m sure your kids would also love, and you also. There’s a structure with a couple slide that you’ll have to swim out to, but that is really fun! CocoCay does look nice and fun for the family, but it is more for older kids and adults. If I had to choose between one I would choose Castaway Cay.
The coco cay at night sounds awesome. We have done castaway twice and have loved it. I’m thinking about doing coco cay but I’m afraid my 5 and 10 yr old wont enjoy it as much as castaway. I do love that they have the kids club at castaway Disney cruise is also about twice the price. I’m thinking castaway 1 more time and then coco cay when kids are a bit older
@Joel Trigo CocoCay does look fabulous. Your youngest might not be tall enough for some of the slides there, but there are two other splash pads/play structures for younger kids that are free.
Do you know if there are any RC star class perks on CoCo Cay?
@CLA Before CocoCay was transformed into “Perfect Day at CocoCay”, it did have a small lounge/buffet area for suite guests. However, from everything I see now, there are no perks.