Spencer Wright
Constantly craving a zebra dome...
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2017
(I uploaded pictures below but please let me know if you can't see them, and the best way to upload pictures from a MacBook)
This was my first cruise (4 nights/ Miami/ Navigator of the Seas) and we had a balcony room. I did not do as much research as I probably could have.
So we pull up, and the one half of Coco Cay looks very cool, and looks like a lot of fun. Since we have a longer WDW trip in August, the budget for this cruise was modest so we did not book any excursions or anything.
I was mostly looking forward to the nature trail and isolated beach but was quite dismayed to see that the forest is all gone and replaced with industrial buildings and similar. You think I would have expected this when I did not see that part of the island on any maps! It really makes the island look terrible from the boat.
We got off as soon as the gang plank opened at 8am and headed right to South Beach. All throughout the island these was a massive amount of seating and it never felt in any way crowded. South Beach had lots of small fish, large stingrays and a few sharks swimming along. The water stays shallow for a while, so we walked out to about waist deep and watched the animals swim around. I tried following the one shark for a bit, but it swam away real fast. It seemed harmless enough. I made every effort to avoid getting close to the stingrays!
There were chickens and trees, but besides the wildlife in the water, the island did feel somewhat artificial. We also went to the Chill Island section and did some snorkeling. Masks and flippers are $37 for the day. I have been snorkeling one other time in St. Lucia, and it was fun. They had a partial ship wreck with cannons with lots of fish (in particular snapper). There were other fish swimming around as you got out there. Of note, the plane wreck is passed the rope line as it was deemed too far to swim to. I tried to swim there anyway, and my efforts were not appreciated by the staff. So, it pales in comparison to St. Lucia snorkeling, but it was worth it, and the water gets real cold, so it’s a great way to cool down.
My sister and I eat early, so we swam at harbor beach, and then ate at Captain Jacks. Harbour Beach appears to be have been blasted recently and has nice clear water. Captain Jacks was very tasty with typical hamburger, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, ect. I did receive a request to take pictures of food and totally forgot. But it was very good. Throughout the island, they have machines with delicious juices, and I particularly enjoyed the mango. It was a nice refreshing treat. After lunch, we went back to South Beach and went in the water some more and read a little bit. Every trip I read a biography of someone from Old Hollywood and this trip featured the screens first Latin lover, Rudolph Valentino!
There is one unfortunate side note, which I am only sharing because people in this forum seem very respectful and pleasant. Perhaps all these cruises keep yous guys relaxed? But about two weeks before the cruise I got these pustules on the back of my head, all down the backside of my head, and was taking several strong antibiotics which made me extremely photosensitive. I did ask the doctor if it was okay to be on a cruise ship and she said yes, especially since I had no fever, and they were clearing up nicely. I always wore a hat, but I burnt up like you wouldn’t believe. I drenched myself in sunscreen about every hour and it was still bad. This is relevant to this, as the lack of real good shade became a problem, and I had to head back at about one. I could just feel anything in the sun really cooking!! (Sorry if this report took a weird turn)
So, we did a little more snorkeling, grabbed a couple of burgers at the Chill Grill and headed back to the ship at about 1pm. The photosensitivity issue as well as nausea hampered enjoyment throughout the cruise, and we would have stayed later if not for that.
Overall, I absolutely loved Coco Cay and it was a Perfect Day. I would like to go on a cruise which includes this stop again. The section where the jungle was destroyed made the island look really artificial from the ship. But Coco Cay is gorgeous from the ground. There is a good amount of wildlife in the sea and ample seating throughout the island. Service was great, and staff was ample throughout. Real intense shade seems very limited, which was a shame. Of course there were plenty of umbrellas, and perhaps they just didn't do it for me. I get the impression that many of the plants are new and will grow in over time (much like Disneyland upon opening). I highly recommend including this in your upcoming cruise.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!! Pictures are attached below.
This was my first cruise (4 nights/ Miami/ Navigator of the Seas) and we had a balcony room. I did not do as much research as I probably could have.
So we pull up, and the one half of Coco Cay looks very cool, and looks like a lot of fun. Since we have a longer WDW trip in August, the budget for this cruise was modest so we did not book any excursions or anything.
I was mostly looking forward to the nature trail and isolated beach but was quite dismayed to see that the forest is all gone and replaced with industrial buildings and similar. You think I would have expected this when I did not see that part of the island on any maps! It really makes the island look terrible from the boat.
We got off as soon as the gang plank opened at 8am and headed right to South Beach. All throughout the island these was a massive amount of seating and it never felt in any way crowded. South Beach had lots of small fish, large stingrays and a few sharks swimming along. The water stays shallow for a while, so we walked out to about waist deep and watched the animals swim around. I tried following the one shark for a bit, but it swam away real fast. It seemed harmless enough. I made every effort to avoid getting close to the stingrays!
There were chickens and trees, but besides the wildlife in the water, the island did feel somewhat artificial. We also went to the Chill Island section and did some snorkeling. Masks and flippers are $37 for the day. I have been snorkeling one other time in St. Lucia, and it was fun. They had a partial ship wreck with cannons with lots of fish (in particular snapper). There were other fish swimming around as you got out there. Of note, the plane wreck is passed the rope line as it was deemed too far to swim to. I tried to swim there anyway, and my efforts were not appreciated by the staff. So, it pales in comparison to St. Lucia snorkeling, but it was worth it, and the water gets real cold, so it’s a great way to cool down.
My sister and I eat early, so we swam at harbor beach, and then ate at Captain Jacks. Harbour Beach appears to be have been blasted recently and has nice clear water. Captain Jacks was very tasty with typical hamburger, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, ect. I did receive a request to take pictures of food and totally forgot. But it was very good. Throughout the island, they have machines with delicious juices, and I particularly enjoyed the mango. It was a nice refreshing treat. After lunch, we went back to South Beach and went in the water some more and read a little bit. Every trip I read a biography of someone from Old Hollywood and this trip featured the screens first Latin lover, Rudolph Valentino!
There is one unfortunate side note, which I am only sharing because people in this forum seem very respectful and pleasant. Perhaps all these cruises keep yous guys relaxed? But about two weeks before the cruise I got these pustules on the back of my head, all down the backside of my head, and was taking several strong antibiotics which made me extremely photosensitive. I did ask the doctor if it was okay to be on a cruise ship and she said yes, especially since I had no fever, and they were clearing up nicely. I always wore a hat, but I burnt up like you wouldn’t believe. I drenched myself in sunscreen about every hour and it was still bad. This is relevant to this, as the lack of real good shade became a problem, and I had to head back at about one. I could just feel anything in the sun really cooking!! (Sorry if this report took a weird turn)
So, we did a little more snorkeling, grabbed a couple of burgers at the Chill Grill and headed back to the ship at about 1pm. The photosensitivity issue as well as nausea hampered enjoyment throughout the cruise, and we would have stayed later if not for that.
Overall, I absolutely loved Coco Cay and it was a Perfect Day. I would like to go on a cruise which includes this stop again. The section where the jungle was destroyed made the island look really artificial from the ship. But Coco Cay is gorgeous from the ground. There is a good amount of wildlife in the sea and ample seating throughout the island. Service was great, and staff was ample throughout. Real intense shade seems very limited, which was a shame. Of course there were plenty of umbrellas, and perhaps they just didn't do it for me. I get the impression that many of the plants are new and will grow in over time (much like Disneyland upon opening). I highly recommend including this in your upcoming cruise.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!! Pictures are attached below.
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When we were there last summer we heard of jelly fish too. We didn't end up seeing any but it did scare me a bit (as we have kids) and purchased jelly fish sunscreen (not sure if it works). We did hear though of a stingray and shark.
