Coco Cay Guide (Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas)

[PhillyGregA]

WE FOUND BAREFOOT BEACH EARLY. PERSONALLY I COULD HAVE SKIPPED NASSAU AND STAYED ON BAREFOOT BEACH FOR EVER

[MrMorganOBrien]

@PhillyGregA I know what you mean about Nassau. Now that I have been there and seen Atlantis, the next time we go I think I will just stay on the ship!

[Jlongworth13]

can you snorkel at barefoot beach if you bring your own stuff?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@Jlongworth13 Yes, it's only the official "snorkeling area" where you need a life jacket.

[liglig789]

eu fui ppra la com o monarch of de seas no dia 04 de fevereiro de 2012

[PeggySue1013]

I'll be there this Tuesday - Thanks for the tips! (I've only been there once, and was not impressed with the "rocky" beaches) I never knew about barefoot beach! THANKS AGAIN!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@PeggySue1013 Hey PeggySue! You are very welcome! Enjoy the island the second time around!

[ZCullen1]

Is there wireless internet on the cruise? And if there is, would it be extra charge?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@ZCullen1 There is wireless on the cruise, but it is very slow and VERY expensive! I suggest trying to live without internet for a few days... however, if you have to go online, it's better to use your own computer and the wireless rather than the computer terminals in the internet cafe onboard!

[horkguy16]

My wife and i went parasailing at Coco Cay back in 2002, it was a BLAST! The highlight of our cruise! Do they still offer that there?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@horkguy16 I don't think so. At least I don't remember seeing it when we were there. Does anyone else know? If you haven't been there since 2002, I think it's time to go back! You can tell your wife I said so, ok?

[ElMinotauroDiablo]

Looks like they aren't gonna run out of sun chairs anytime soon haha... I think I'll sleep in lol

[MakeupByMurMur]

hi! me again! I have a couple more questions. It also says we stop at nassu, in the bahamas. and there it says there is a dolphin encounter, and I was wondering how much it was? also it said there is scuba diving, is that different then the snorkeling you were talking about in this video? also, do we have to go to the stops like coco cay do we have to go right when we dock? and do we have to wait till the end? or can we just go to and from the ship when we please? thank you!!! (:

[MrMorganOBrien]

@MakeupByMurMur Hey! There are a few different dolphins encounter places and experiences, but I don't know how much they cost. Generally, they are expensive! Was it not listed on the information you read? You can come and go from the ship whenever you want and as many times as you want during the stay in port, just be ABSOLUTELY SURE to be back on time, or you might get left behind or at least booed by all the other passengers. Watch my "Cruise late-comers booed" video to see what I mean!

[supervisor404]

@MrMorganOBrien What type of camera are you using? It is really nice.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@supervisor404 It's a Canon 550D or Rebel 2ti DSLR. I love it!

[MakeupByMurMur]

I might be taking the "monarch of the seas." do they stop here? how do I know where we stop? please respond! thanks! awesome helpful video!! (:

[MrMorganOBrien]

@MakeupByMurMur Your itinerary will tell you where you stop, but I'm pretty sure that Coco Cay is on every itinerary for the Monarch. You are going to have a blast! Have you seen my other videos of my trip on the Monarch?

[MakeupByMurMur]

@MrMorganOBrien yes I have! they are very awesome and informative! im very exicited! thank you

[bumble831]

@MakeupByMurMur Yes it stops at Coco Cay.

[JennaDpoole]

thank you for sharing this vid! My husband and I are going in May on the Majesty for our anniversary. can't wait!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@JennaDpoole You are very welcome! Do you maybe want to adopt me before May and then take me with you? I would LOVE to go back to Coco Cay! I would give you a private tour of the island as your anniversary present. : )

[opera46]

The small boats are called tenders

[ForzaAjax]

And the only day that of the year that the wheather is really bad, I was there =(

And when the storm finally was over, the wind turned around and it all came back.

So not fair!

[lucylu9979]

Also you can end up about a half mile in the ocean and still be only knee deep in water in certain areas. You do have to swim over a few drop offs but it's amazing. Definitely my favorite place in the world!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@lucylu9979 Yes, it really is amazing, isn't it?

[Nightowl358]

Nice place. Just got off Monarch of the Seas yesterday and we went here. Beautiful place to spend the day. Liked it more than Nassau, since you don't have someone in your face trying to sell you something every 10 steps you take.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@Nightowl358 Exactly!  You mean, you didn't want your hair braided? : )

[HatersW3lcome]

Going on Monarch of the Seas on Jan. 2nd, how does the alcohol rule work on this island? Is it still technically the Bahamas? I'm asking because im 19, will be 20 by the time im on the cruise, and I was curious as to how the drinking situation works... I really enjoy your vids by the way, they're very informative!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@HatersW3lcome Coco Cay is technically an extension of the ship, so you are not allowed to drink there either... However, you are good to go on Nassau, (as long as you're not on the ship). There is a Senor Frogs right in the harbor, which is a big hang out for party people in your age range. Another word of warning, however, DON'T GET SO DRUNK THAT YOU MISS THE BOAT!!! Sounds funny, but it happens all the time! People lose track of time, or pass out in the corner. Don't be one of them!

[HatersW3lcome]

@MrMorganOBrien Damn...sorry about the explosion of questions from me by the way, just trying to prepare myself for the cruise so I know whats going on when the time finally comes!

[dmcx2010]

nice vido do thead ofter fishing on the island

[MrMorganOBrien]

@dmcx2010 No, I don't think so. There's plenty of other things to do, though!

[kkatjanet]

I went there :) It was beautiifull <3

[PikabooxxD]

I was there last week.. Pause at 1:21 Example why you should bring sunglasses, you don't want to walk around squint your eyes all the time.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@PikabooxxD Hahaha! Are you making fun of my squinty eyes??? You're right, though, I should have had my sunglasses on. When we left the ship it was totally overcast, but in the short 15 or so minutes that it took to get to the beach, the sun came out. I was just so excited to be there that I wanted to make the recording first. So you see, I suffered squinting at the sun all in the name of helping my viewers. : )

[PikabooxxD]

@MrMorganOBrien lol, haha, I didn't bring a shade with me. The sun and the sand were so I bright, I feel uncomfortable walking around squinting my eyes..

[martinichanel]

I'm going on my very first cruise with Royal Caribean's Monarch of the Seas boat on Oct. 7th-9th/10th. Your videos have helped a lot and I can not wait. Thanks so much for the guides because this gives me a choice of stuff to see and do instead of walking about the boat trying to find what to do. I really appreciate this. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@martinichanel You are very welcome! That's why I make these videos and I'm really glad I could help.

[kx250fmotocross]

Thanks for everything. I am looking forward to my first cruise. I hope the hurricane doesn't mess it up though.

[kx250fmotocross]

Can you please tell me how much it cost to rent a jet ski please. Thanks and great vid.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@kx250fmotocross The prices listed on the RCCL website say $79 an hour for drivers, $29 for passengers, and it's the same for children. Soda costs extra on the ship, but ice tea, lemonade, coffee and water is free, as well as all the food you can possibly eat. There is no surf simulator onboard this ship. We started the trip from Port Canaveral. Did you get my PM?

[kx250fmotocross]

Thanks for the video. I'm going on that cruise next week. Just a few questions, how much to rent a jet ski? How's the food on the cruise? Do they really charge you for each soda you have on the cruise? And is there a surf board simulator on the ship? Thanks. Also did you start the trip from Florida?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@kx250fmotocross That is a complicated question.  I'll answer you with a PM or at the facebook group, ok?

[DirectorGoss]

We just passed through Co Co Cay on the Majesty of the Seas. It was raining so we had to skip the island completely on our cruise because they wouldn't take us ashore. :(

[MrMorganOBrien]

@DirectorGoss Oh, what a bummer! Seriously though, if it was raining, you wouldn't have had any fun on the island anyways! Unfortunately, not even Royal Caribbean can control the weather, (only Disney can... and Steve Jobs).

[TheMike021975]

the little boats you took from the ship to the shore are called "TENDERS"

[MrMorganOBrien]

@TheMike021975 Tenders?  But why? They weren't tender at all. They were actually very hard! Hehehehee...

[oldskhool4eva]

Went there on sovereign of the seas in the 90s...oh the memories :)

[myswaggontop10]

On the beginning of this video where are you at with the water roller coaster

[MrMorganOBrien]

@myswaggontop10 It is called "Sheikra" and is at Busch Gardens in Florida. There are a handful of other coasters in the world that also have this splash effect, including "Griffon" at Busch Gardens in Virginia, "Krake" at Heide Park in Germany, and "Diamondback" at King's Island in Ohio.

[leecandice123]

has anyone ever taken this cruise in septmber?? how was the weather?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@leecandice123 We went shortly before Halloween in October and the weather was awesome. It was a little stormy the morning we arrived at Coco Cay, but the weather warmed up, and for our sea-day the next day, we were sizzling.

[sebamp3]

@MrMorganOBrien I also went in October (from 15 up to 19) in the Majesty Of The Seas (Miami; Key West; Nassau & CocoCay). Maybe we were in the same cruise! That was a beautiful trip! And the weather was great, hot but a bit cloudy...

[Zachloveswebkinz]

@sebamp3 i went on the same boat wait did u see those hot spa girls?

[TheChrissyPo]

Thanks for the help! Can't wait to get there.

[lhiggs]

MrMorganOBrien, are they really strict about the snorkel vest, or can you get away without using one if you bring your own snorkel, mask, and fins from home? I mean, I'm sure you have to sign a waiver of liability when you rent their stuff, so can't you just sign a waiver of liability when using your own stuff and forget about the vest? Thanks.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@lhiggs It seemed to me that they were strict about making you rent their vest, and there are lifeguards all over the snorkeling bay who would notice if you don't have one on. However, I went swimming all over the other parts of the island without the vest on and no one cared. I did see fish, crabs, and stingrays on the other beaches, but nothing close to the amount of fish I saw out in the snorkeling bay.

[lhiggs]

@MrMorganOBrien, Sounds good. Thanks for the heads-up. I just noticed the price for renting just the vest. $6 for the whole day is no problem.

[lbtubeify]

We went on the jet ski tour. I said at the end of the day that I should get a T-shirt that says "I survived the jet ski tour at Coco Cay". I was not joking. We had a crazy Australian "guide" whose only interest was getting the "tour" over with ASAP. He actually lined us up according to how fast we promised to go. I've been on jet skis on lakes and full throttle on the Colorado river...all good. This tour-nothing but death grip for the duration, trying not to get thrown into the ocean.

[lhiggs]

@lbtubeify, My wife and I are considering doing the jet ski tour. Are you really pressured to go faster than you are comfortable? And is there an area where you can just jet ski around at your own pace and leisure, or is it a straight shot from point A to point B and back? Also, does it really last the full hour like stated in the brochure? I don't mind going fast, but my wife on the back will be freaking out. If it's really like you say, maybe I'll have those T-Shirts preprinted. Thanks.

[lbtubeify]

@lhiggs Unfortunately, totally "guided" tour. He led us out in the assigned line and stopped a few times to wait for the slackers and move some "slow" people to the back. There was a trailing guide, the pressure was there. We circled the Monarch where it was anchored, etc. It's not like I could enjoy the scenery while hanging on for dear life. It felt longer than an hour to me! Your soreness will vary with how calm the water is. But maybe your wife would prefer having you go solo.

[lhiggs]

@lbtubeify, thanks for the heads-up.  Maybe I'll volunteer to be just before the tail gunner in order to minimize any "death gripage" my wife may deem appropriate to use; and I think I will steal your idea about the T-shirts, I'm sure they'd bring us a lot of attention back on the ship that night.

[lbtubeify]

@lhiggs I hope you have a great time! Maybe you won't get the crazy Aussie and your experience will be quite a bit different. My fiance had a great time bouncing on the jet ski...he made me say that. (He was sore for three days too though).

[WWIIAMAN]

tenders

[P90XTim]

Do the shops on the island accept the room key for payment like on the ship?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@P90XTim Yes, in fact, they don't accept any cash on the island, so the ONLY way to pay is with your Sea Pass Card.

[lbtubeify]

@MrMorganOBrien They do not negotiate at all on their prices, and their prices are not very reasonable.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@xoxirishbabexox Well, it all depends on how much money you can / want to spend. Coco Cay is beautiful just to walk around on. Renting snorkeling equipment and going out in the bay was really cool, too. You can swim really far out and see soooo many fish and crabs and sting rays and stuff. Get a disposable underwater camera if you decide to do that! Otherwise there is the "AdventurePark" (costs extra) which might be fun to jump around on....

[MrMorganOBrien]

@MrMorganOBrien In Nassau, you can either spend a ton of $ and go to the waterpark at Atlantis or do a dolphin experience. For a little bit of $, you can take a taxi to one of the beaches. For no extra money at all, you can stay on the ship, which is actually pretty fun, too! I have talked with several experienced cruisers that never leave the ship in Nassau. There are all kinds of activities and contests to participate in, and the pools are not so crowded, so think about that, too!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@xoxirishbabexox It doesn't take long to get off the ship once you arrive, and you can come and go as you please all day long. On Coco Cay, you have to wait for the tender boats, but they run constantly. I think we had to be back on the boat by 17:00 on Coco Cay (short day) and midnight on Nassau (long day), but I could be wrong and it could have changed. It should be listed in your detailed itinerary. What else did you want to ask? Your comment got cut off!

[babsfrancis]

We will be there next week. Thanks for the video

[jdk04065]

Thank you!! we will be there on the 4th or 5th this month! I will be on barefoot beach most def!!

[mrsmiriade]

This cruise will be a part of my honeymoon in 8 days!!! Thanks so much for your tips!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@mrsmiriade Congratulations and have fun!

[Donnamarie7173]

Great video! We just got back from Coco Cay and loved our beach day! We even saw a sting ray while snorkeling that I caught on video.

[Kaitiefly]

Yay can't wait to go! Less than a month! Whoo hoo! ;)

[flyway4444]

Very Nice thanks

[rpoon168]

It's sounds very cool, we might go there in the summer to enjoy the beach and swim

[CandyGirl7401]

Fantastic video! This was exactly what I was searching for! It answered two of my questions (remote beach and food cost on the island) I've been searching for. I do want to ask you how long it took to walk to Barefoot beach as that is where we would like to go to as soon as we get off the Monarch of the Seas this June. Thanks again!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@CandyGirl7401 Thanks for the compliments! The island is really small and it won't take you more than, say, 15 minutes to walk to Barefoot Beach if you take the shortest route. If you check out a map you will see how to get there... otherwise just take the main path and keep on walking. Be sure to check out my other Monarch of the Seas vids, and thanks for the subscription, too!

[APPLEMACKEY]

How Much Do The Jet Ski's Cost?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@APPLEMACKEY The prices listed on the RCCL website say $79 an hour for drivers, $29 for passengers, and it's the same for children. Have fun!

[cuteii0032]

really gorgeous

[masontwins10]

Has anyone realized that there is a rainbow in the beginning when he is on the boat?

[masontwins10]

I cannot wait to go to CocoCay! Whats the usual temperature?

[alwayson09]

So beautiful. We will be tendering to CocoCay from the Majesty on Christmas day 2011! Had to do it because the Oasis trip in May doesn't visit the island and I just have to see it in person + is a great place to spend Christmas...

[MrMorganOBrien]

@alwayson09 Christmas on CocoCay. Awesome! Have you ever been?

[alwayson09]

@MrMorganOBrien No I've never been there before. The interior staterooms are going for $469 for the cruise leaving on Dec 23 that will be tendering at CocoCay on Dec 25th. You should check it out! We were wanting to go to Atlantis resort for the holiday but it's more than that for just one night so really no comparison.

[juanif94]

Thanks for the video! I'm going to the Majesty of the Seas on February 28th I can't wait!

[lilu42]

Excellent, excellent! Thanks so much for the informative video. Exactly what I was looking for!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@lilu42 No problem! Glad I could help. If you have any questions, feel free to post them here for me or anyone else who's been to the island to answer. When is your cruise?

[jillybeanpa91]

I am really looking forward to barefoot beach a big pre thanks for the tip!!!!!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@jillybeanpa91 No problem, Jilly! If you have any more questions, feel free to post them here for me, or anyone else who's been to Coco Cay, (or on the Monarch), to answer.

[freeduckie]

Do you have to book the Jet Ski excursion in advance or can you just go to the beach and pick up a Jet ski?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@freeduckie It costs money either way, so just know that in advance! I am assuming you have to book it on the ship at least one day in advance because they have set times which they allow groups to go out and ride. From what I remember, you can either choose the "Ride as a passenger" package or "Pilot your own." package. We didn't do either, so don't take my word as fact. Be sure to check it out once you get on the ship, and if you do, come back here and please tell us how it worked, ok?

[freeduckie]

@MrMorganOBrien Okay, thanks for the tip!

[MeetOnCruise]

Great video! Informative and fun. I'm going to link to this video from our Port Guide for CocoCay on meetoncruise (dot) com.

Thank you...and great work.

[MrMorganOBrien]

@MeetOnCruise Thanks for the link! Sorry that your comment was originally tagged as spam. I didn't do it and I don't understand why whoever did it decided to do it! Thanks again for the link and be sure to check out my other cruise videos of the Monarch, and the Disney Dream.

[MeetOnCruise]

@MrMorganOBrien You are welcome for the link and thank you again for your video! The port guide for CocoCay is complete (with your video in it), so if you'd like to take a look you can check it out in our port guide section. I'll send the link to your inbox b/c apparently Youtube doesn't like links :)

Thanks again!!

[jse112584]

Another great video Morgan! Am I just imagining things or didn't you used to have videos of Germany and Oktoberfest on your channel?

[MrMorganOBrien]

@jse112584 Thanks again. The Oktoberfest videos are still online, you just have to click the "see all" link in the videos box. Let me know if you still can't find them.

[jse112584]

@MrMorganOBrien Great! I found them..my wife and I have been wanting to visit Germany for Oktoberfest for quite some time now...hopefully we can next year!

[MrMorganOBrien]

@jse112584 Book a hotel now! It gets really expensive around the time of the event!

[rlaump3]

great video. I also visited Coco Cay with the Freedom of the Seas on Nov 1

[MrMorganOBrien]

@rlaump3 Thanks! We had a great day there. I just wish we had found Barefoot Beach sooner. It was so nice there! What did you do your day on the island?

[rlaump3]

@MrMorganOBrien Well when I got there I went to barefoot beach and stayed there for a littlebit just relaxed and swan. Then after a while went to lunch at the back serving area (an area not open when the Monarch is there) After lunch I went back on the Freedom.