Royal Caribbean International – the cruise line brand founded in Norway – has opened its first "Perfect Day" private island, the first to come in a series of bespoke destinations under development worldwide.
Called Perfect Day at CocoCay, the US$250m (€222m, £192m) private island in the Bahamas features a waterpark as its main attraction, with the development anchored by North America’s tallest waterslide.
Called Thrill Waterpark, the island’s centrepiece is made up of 13 slides – the most slides found in any waterpark in the Caribbean – as well as the region’s largest wave pool and a kid-friendly obstacle course.
The tallest slide, Daredevil’s Peak, stands at 135ft (41.1m) tall. Part of the Daredevil’s Tower structure, Daredevil’s Peak is one of seven slides, with the twin Dueling Demons drop slides, the duo of Manta Raycers, the vertical Screeching Serpent and the coiling Green Mamba also featuring. A smaller family tower will also be included, with six multi-rider slides, including The Twister, a winding tube slide for two sharing a raft; The Slingshot, a zero-gravity slide for four; and the four-lane Splash Speedway racing slides.
Perfect Day at CocoCay also offers the highest view in the Caribbean, with a fixed helium balloon taking visitors 450ft (137.2m) up in the air.
Guests of all ages can enjoy the island’s Oasis Lagoon, which is the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool. Made up of three coves, the area offers a child-friendly beach, swim-up bar and private cabanas. At the centre of the lagoon are three mini swim-up islands with in-water loungers.
The island’s south beach offers competitive sports such as volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer and paddle boarding. A 1,600ft (487m) zipline also features, and boasts the only splash water landing in the region.
"Royal Caribbean is the proven leader when it comes to pushing the envelope in cruise ship design and the experiences offered at sea," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "With Perfect Day at CocoCay, we've transformed an island that completely revolutionises private destinations in the vacation industry.
"It's exciting to see what we have dreamed up finally come to life; our guests truly are in for an experience unlike any other."
Royal Caribbean has a host of Perfect Day destinations lined up, with islands locations under development in Asia, Australia and the Caribbean. CocoCay will be rolled out in phases, with the full experience ready by the end of 2019.
