Travel With Me To: Perfect Day at CoCo Cay!

Last month I was invited to board Navigator of the Seas,  Royal Caribbean’s recently amplified ship, for a week of fun! I have been cruising with Royal Caribbean for years with my family (plus a few press trips on Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas) so I was excited to get to experience another one of their ships! While each of their ships have unique features, I think Navigator of the Seas may have been my favorite ship I have ever cruised on. It felt spacious, had a lot of on board entertainment options, and the new features of the ship were incredible. Keep reading for more info on the ship and how we spent our time at their newest island Perfect Day at CocoCay!

THINGS TO DO ON THE SHIP

There isn’t a shortage of things to do aboard Navigator of the Seas, that’s for sure! No matter what your age or interests, there is something for you aboard the ship! If you’re looking for adventure be sure to check out one of the waterslides or the aqua coaster, go play laser tag with friends or give the Escape room a shot! I totally turned into a kid at heart when we boarded the ship – I couldn’t get enough of the water slides. I’m almost 30 and had a blast on the slides, so I can only imagine how much the kids enjoyed them haha!

If you’re looking for some rest and relaxation, head to the spa or to one of the cabanas on the pool deck. They provide the ultimate comfort while relaxing by the pool! I really enjoyed relaxing in the cabana while reading my book. If you want the ultimate experience, be sure to head to To Dry For in the promenade. The Navigator of the Seas has the first blow dry bar on the seas, so if you’re wanting to feel like a queen for the day with a blow out and a fresh hairstyle, complete with bubbly be sure to make an appointment! They even had some of my holy-grail hair product! Color me impressed.

 

THE SHIP & DINING

Navigator of the Seas was amplified earlier this year to provide guests with additional activities on the ship, more specialty restaurants, and even more entertainment options! I was thoroughly impressed with the Navigator of the Seas and I am already looking forward to heading back on the ship! Once I boarded the ship, it didn’t take me long to get into vacation mode. Everywhere you looked there were colorful cabanas, Caribbean-themed bright decor, lots of fun to be had, and of course, any tropical drink you could ever think of drinking! Even though nearly 4,000 guests were on board, it never felt crowded. The layout of the ship is wonderful – if you’re new to cruising they provide maps of each area by the elevators – but if you’re a seasoned veteran, you’ll be familiar with the pool deck, the promenade, and the hot spots for entertainment!I was particularly excited about the dining and specialty restaurants on the ship. When Nick and I were on the Symphony of the Seas we got to preview a few of the restaurants, so we were excited that Hooked Seafood & Jamie’s Italian were both on this ship! Hooked Seafood boasts quintessential New England style seafood – from the classic lobster roll to raw bar favorites like oysters and shrimp! At Jamie’s Italian restaurant you’ll get Tuscany-Inspired dishes like mozzarella risotto balls, truffle tagliatelle, and bolognese. On this trip we were even able to try Izumi, an Asian-inspired dining experience! I’m the first to admit I am a bit picky, but we basically got one of everything for our group and I tried (& loved) it all! A few of my favorites were the pork dumplings, shrimp firecracker spring roll, and the tonkotsu ramen! The hot sake wasn’t bad either 😉

PERFECT DAY AT COCO CAY

Pulling into Perfect Day at CoCo Cay was quite the experience!I was not prepared for just how amazing the island was – my excitement was at an all time high when we headed to the aft deck to see the island from the ship! It. Was. Everything. I was giddy just looking at all the different areas of the island, I couldn’t wait to get down there and experience it all! We were greeted by Bahamian music and dancers as we stepped onto the island. Our only decision for the day was do we go to Chill or for the Thrills first?! We ultimately decided to chill for a bit on Chill Island and my goodness it was delightful! There were plenty of seats and shaded areas, along with places to grab drinks and snacks. We loved Chill Island because we could relax (it was quiet!) and we could still hear the ocean. I love swimming in the ocean when it’s crystal clear and I can see below me, so Coco Cay was an ideal island for me! Nick and I went snorkeling while on Chill Island and saw so many fish! We let our inner kid out and even jumped off the docks in the middle of the water! We made so many great memories that day! If you’re not much for the sand & ocean, I recommend heading to Oasis Lagoon! The freshwater pool and the numerous swim up bars are perfect for those looking or the ultimate relaxing poolside day! We didn’t make our way to Oasis Lagoon on this trip – but I definitely plan to check it out the next time we are on the island!

Once we felt rested and relaxed we headed over to Thrill Waterpark for the ultimate adventure! No matter if you have small kids or are a kid at heart, you will have a BLAST at Thrill Waterpark! There’s an adventure pool if you want to dip your toes into the fun or if you’re feeling like a dare devil, head to DareDevil’s Peak,  the largest water slide in North America! The Peak consists of seven different slides – the higher you go the more adventurous the ride! I’m not even kidding when I say that I was *shaking* before getting on the slide… but OMG it was so fun and such a thrill! The Family Tower is great for those who are looking to compete with one another or are looking to have some family fun on a waterslide!   It was truly the perfect day at CoCo Cay and I am already looking forward to heading back once the rest of the island opens! You could tell the Royal Caribbean team thought of everything when it came to this island. There are delicious options for lunch and snacks while on the island as well as entertainment options for everyone – no matter if you’re looking for a new thrill or to just thrill!                  

Had such a fun time & I’m already looking forward to our next cruise!

This post is in partnership with Royal Caribbean. My flight, cruise & all food/drinks were paid for in exchange for an honest review of my trip. As always, all thoughts are my own.