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It’s officially Fall! It definitely doesn’t fe It’s officially Fall! It definitely doesn’t feel like it in Miami, it really never does but that just gives us a reason to explore other states. West Virginia is one of them, fun fact I actually lived here between undergrad and grad school! Here are Things to do in West Virginia (SAVE + SHARE): 

1. Enjoy New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, or visit any of the states 35 state parks as West Virginia has 1.5 million acres of parks and public land. We personally walked the Shavers Lake Trail and canoed on the lake. 

2. Enjoy some serious adventures! We’re always trying something new and West Virginia offers a lot of options from whitewater rafting, to 1,000+ miles of off-road ATV trails, to rock climbing, caving and mountain biking . 

3. Take a train ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad which stops at the Whittaker Camp where those who worked in the lumber and coal industry lived during the work season. 

4. Explore Cranberry Glades Botanical Area where you might just get to see some black bears! 

5. Walk the Falls of Hills Creak trail to get up close to some gorgeous waterfalls! 

This week I’ll be sharing various cities and states you can experience a beautiful Fall getaway. What are some of your favorite places to enjoy autumn?

Tap the link in my bio for my West Virginia blog post and a blog post of the best places to experience Fall in the US!
Still not over our day exploring the waters of For Still not over our day exploring the waters of Fort Pierce. We danced, snorkeled, fished and went tubing. Definitely want more days like this and still pinch myself that this is what a day of work looks like for me sometimes. Thank you @seadoo for the opportunity.
If you know my husband you know water activities a If you know my husband you know water activities are his favorite! Fishing, jet skiing, just being on a boat on the ocean relaxing, name it, he’s there. So we couldn’t be more excited than to not only get the chance to test out the new @seadoo Switch but be the stars of a whole commercial for it. We had entirely too much fun filming this. Of course now he wants to buy one!

Do you like getting out on the water? Favorite activity?
Our 3 Day London Itinerary (SAVE + SHARE): 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Day 1: Walked across the Tower Bridge (you can take a tour of London of Tower as well), walked along the River Thames and took a make a fascination hat class with @create_your_own_hat! 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Day 2: Harry Potter walking tour, checked out Borough Market and went on a night ghost bus tour. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Day 3: Morning Tea at Peggy Porschen, Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guards, and explore Westminster for the infamous red telephone booths, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

If you have more time on previous visits to London we have taken a day trip to check out Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle, rode the London Eye, took a ferry ride down the Thames River, checked out Warner Brother Studios, and did a graffiti/street art tour.

Is London on your list? If you’ve been what did you do that you think is a must for visitors?

Things to do in London, London with kids, family travel
Then vs Now (swipe left)!🥹🥰 My babies are no Then vs Now (swipe left)!🥹🥰 My babies are not babies anymore. Where has the time gone? Excuse me while I go cry in the corner 😭😭😭😭. 

Too in my feelings to provide an informational post, I’ll be back tomorrow.
Why is this man always trying to stop my fun? List Why is this man always trying to stop my fun? Listen replace husband with whoever you need to but why these ppl keep acting like we can take our money when we’re gone?!? Y’all feel me or nah? 😅😬😩
Morning Tea in London! Afternoon or High Tea is us Morning Tea in London! Afternoon or High Tea is usually on everyone’s things to do in London list but since the girls and I don’t eat beef or pork the menus for most places didn’t make sense for us as they are filled with ham sandwiches and other things we don’t eat. I ended up finding Morning Tea at Peggy Porschen instead which offers a tea menu with breakfast items, while not traditional it worked best for us! It cost £35 pp.

For a traditional Afternoon or High Tea Try:

🫖Palm Court at The Ritz
🫖The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason
🫖Theatre Royal Drury Lane
🫖The Grill Room Hotel Cafe Royal (has vegetarian an vegan options)
🫖Coronation Afternoon Tea at Cellarium, Westminster Abbey
🫖The Rosebery Coronation Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
🫖The Goring Hotel

Afternoon Teas Geared Towards Families:

☕️Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua at The Shard
☕️Jurassic Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel
☕️Jungle Book Afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel
☕️Secret Garden Afternoon Tea at Taj 51
☕️The Buzzy Bees Afternoon Tea at St. Ermin’s Hotel
☕️Grover’s Children’s Tea at Grosvenor House Hotel
☕️The Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
☕️Sherlock Holmes Inspired Afternoon Tea at the Mind Palace
☕️Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tea at One Aldwych
☕️Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson
☕️Wizard of Oz Afternoon Tea at The Soho Hotel

Have you done a proper Afternoon or High Tea in London before? Was the one you did on this list, if so what did you think of it? If you have additional recommendations please do leave a comment!

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THINGS TO DO AT THE REVAMPED COCOCAY (ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S PERFECT DAY BAHAMAS ISLAND)

June 3, 2019      Caribbean, Destinations, The Bahamas

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

We first visited CocoCay, in June 2018 when we sailed on the amplified Mariner of the Seas from Miami.

Since then, Royal Caribbean has spent $250 million dollars renovating their private island in the Bahamas, in an effort to really make it the perfect day in CocoCay. These improvements to CocoCay included adding the Thrill waterpark, wave pool, zip-line, a lagoon pool, and two dedicated kids playing areas.

We had the opportunity to revisit on a press trip where we were hosted on Navigator of the Seas. And we were not disappointed! I can truly say we had the most amazingly perfect day in CocoCay!

Now we fully understand the island’s new name. Check out this video of our Perfect Day at CocoCay. We spent the day doing all the things so I could come back here and give you an in-depth review detailing all the things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay for toddlers, older kids, parents, and the whole family!

 

What’s the Difference Between the New CocoCay and the ”Old CocoCay”?

Pretty much everything. When a company, like Royal Caribbean, invests 250 million into an Island that is under a mile wide and is roughly 125 acres you end up with an extreme Island makeover.

No acre was left untouched! The first time we visited CocoCay the main focus was the beach and water activities (snorkeling, jet skis, etc.). Where Thrill Water Park now sits was just a bunch of brush and vines. To say that the change was drastic is an understatement. The old CocoCay was just a relaxing day at a private beach, they’ve really made it perfect for people of all ages and interests.

Planning Your Perfect Day in CocoCay Ahead of Time

If CocoCay is on your cruise itinerary you will want to be proactive and review the Island and activities in your Royal Caribbean Cruise planner dashboard. Due to the pandemic cruising has changed quite a bit and most excursions are being booked ahead of time. It’s one of those situations where if you snooze you lose, and CocoCay is definitely an experience you don’t want to miss out on!

Is a perfect day at CocoCay included in the cruise price? What Costs Extra?

While there are free things to do in CocoCay (I will list them out below!) the main attractions like Thrill Waterpark, The Zip Line, and Up, Up, and Away do cost extra as well as any shore excursions you want to participate in. 

If you want to rent a Cabana in Thrill Waterpark, Chill Island or Oasis Lagoon pricing usually starts at $299 and goes up from there. You can get discounts and package deals so be on the lookout for those in your cruise planner dashboard. It’s best to book excursions as early as possible as the fees can and do fluctuate – thank you supply and demand! 

What can you do for free at CocoCay?

The good news is you can still have the perfect day in CocoCay without spending an extra penny. There are several free things you can do (and eat!).

  • The Beaches
  • Oasis Lagoon pool
  • Captain Jill’s Galleon 
  • Splashaway Bay
  • South Beach Sports Court
  • Use of umbrellas, pool, and beach loungers are free
  • Food and drink at Chill Grill, Skipper’s Grill, and the Snack Shacks

How to Get to CocoCay, Bahamas

Since CocoCay is a private island in the Bahamas, owned by Royal Caribbean, you can only get here on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you want to visit you’ll need to book a ship sailing to the Bahamas, Caribbean or Bermuda. You can check Royal Caribbean’s website.

Thankfully Royal Caribbean’s renovation budget including adding a pier to CocoCay island. Previously guests had to tender onto the island, meaning the ship was anchored in the ocean and small boats took guests to and from the dock. This is a major improvement as now you can just walk on and off the ship as you please.

Do you need a passport to go to CocoCay?

Nope! You do not need a passport to go to CocoCay since it is privately owned by Royal Caribbean. BUT you’ll still want to take one anyways! With closed-loop cruises, you don’t technically need a passport but if you get sick at any port and have to get off the ship or miss the cruise and get stuck on an island you will need a passport to get a flight home. Royal doesn’t have any cruises that only go to Cococay so passengers should always travel internationally with a passport. I worked for Royal and know way too many horror stories to ever recommend cruising on a birth certificate only.

aerial view of CocoCay island in the Bahamas

Things to Do at Perfect Day at CocoCay with Young Kids

Previously CocoCay really only had the beach as an option for parents with young kids. While the beach here is gorgeous, we were very happy to have much more to do this time around. Perfect Day at CocoCay has 3 dedicated areas for those traveling with younger kids.

Captain Jill’s Galleon

Captain Jill’s Galleon is a pirate ship with 16 water cannons and 3 slides for little ones to enjoy. You’ll see the pirate as soon as you walk off the pier so good luck exploring the rest of the island once your little ones set eyes on this! My girls loved navigating through the ship trying to find hidden treasures and splashing me with water. Captain Jill’s Galleon is free of charge for guests!

young girl in front of pirate ship water park called captain Jillian's galleon a free thing to do at cococay

Splashaway Bay

Splashaway Bay is also free of charge in CocoCay and is an open play area for kids. It has five waterslides and 2 drench buckets plus plenty of space for kids to run around and play on a soft surface. Don’t worry parents you can get in on the fun here too as my girls definitely had me going down the slides with them.

Royal Caribbean's splash away bay for toddler and younger children on Cococay

Thrill WaterPark The Highlight Of CocoCay (Perfect for Older Kids & Adults!)

If you have older kids who want a more thrilling experience don’t worry as there are plenty of options for them to experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Thrill Waterpark Overview

Here you’ll find 13 waterslides between Splash Summit and Daredevil’s Tower, a wave pool, an adventure pool, beach chairs with umbrellas, and complimentary Snack Shack dining. Thrill waterpark is not free, unfortunately, but it is so worth it! There is no charge for children 0-3 years old. Price varies per sailing but as of now, pricing starts at $79 for a full-day pass for adults and children. Space is limited, Royal Caribbean only sells a certain number of excursion tickets to the water park so if it’s something you and your family really want to do while stopping at CocoCay you’ll need to buy your tickets early. If you want to rent a cabana for the day on CocoCay Thrill waterpark tickets are included for up to 6 guests. 

Splash Summit is where you can find six of the slides at Thrill Waterpark. Four of the slides are called Splash Speedway racers where you go down the slide face forward racing against the three other guests sliding down at the same time. Children must be 42” to go down this slide. The Twister seats two people and your twist and turn until you reach the bottom. You have to be 48” to ride or 40” if you wear a life vest. We didn’t make it down The Slingshot which up to four people can go at once (same requirements as the Twister) because I am terrified of drops and it’s a zero-gravity slide but everyone who went down was having a great time!

Mom and daughter sliding down thrill water park slide at the perfect day in cococay

Daredevil’s Tower has the remaining 7 of the 13 slides in Thrill Waterpark including the tallest waterslide in North America, Dare Devils Peak. It sits 135 feet up in the air and my daughter conquered it, while I cheered her on! Two of the slides at Daredevil’s Tower, the Mantaray Raycers have a 40” height minimum while the other slides all require a minimum height of 48”. If you’re really looking for a thrill be sure to try out the Dueling Demons waterslides where the ground is literally snatched from under your feet and you free fall straight down!

Daredevils tower a part of thrill waterpark on cococay
Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean

The Adventure Pool is great for kids or parents looking for a little challenge. Here you can race across the lily pads or realistically just see if you can even make it from one side of the pool the other stepping on them. There is also a small rock climbing wall in the pool and a rope swing to splash into the water.

girl walking on lily pads at the adventure pool on cococay island in the Bahamas

The Wave Pool is the best place to take a break in between all the thrills. Kids under 48” need to wear a life vest in the pool but there is a shallow area where they can run around and play.

two girls standing in front of a wave pool with life vests on at the perfect day in cococay

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Taking Family Vacation Photos.

Zip Lining Across CocoCay

If you weigh at least 50lbs but no more than 300 you can enjoy Zip-Lining at Perfect Day at CocoCay. The zip-line is 1,600 feet long and broken into 3 parts flying you over various parts of the park. Just remember you need closed-toe shoes to go on the zip-line or you’ll be turned away. The zip-line isn’t included in your cruise fare and costs and additional $79-$139 per person. You can combine the thrill waterpark and zip line and get a discount for doing so.

Women zip lining across Royal Caribbean's perfect day at cococay

Things to Do at Perfect Day at CocoCay With the Whole Family

Don’t worry parents, there are plenty of fun things for you to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay as well. I personally enjoyed

Up, Up and Away

Up, Up and Away is a Helium Balloon that will take you up to 450 feet in the air. If you want the most epic aerial views of the island and Caribbean Ocean this is for you. As someone terrified of heights the ride was actually quite smooth and I remained calm the entire time! Kids 0-3 are free, kids 4-12 cost $24-$64, and for anyone 13 and up the cost ranges from $39-$99

Helium balloon ride excursion up up and away on the Island of CocoCay

Oasis Lagoon

The Oasis Lagoon is a 33,175 square foot pool at Perfect Day at CocoCay. There is a swim up bar and in the bar area you’ll hear plenty of music. There is also a shallow area great for kids and like all other parts of the island life vests are available free of charge.

Oasis Lagoon pool area at the perfect day in CocoCay

Chill Island

If you’re not into thrills or need a break from them during your Perfect Day at CocoCay check out Chill Island. Here you can relax on the beach chairs under rainbow umbrellas or wade in the ocean. You can also go jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, or play a variety of games like volleyball and corn hole.

two girls swimming in the ocean off the island of CocoCay in the bahamas

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Taking Family Vacation Photos

Child Care at Perfect Day at CocoCay

If the thrills of Perfect Day at CocoCay sound too good to miss but you’re traveling with kids who aren’t tall enough, don’t worry! While there isn’t dedicated child care on the island the Adventure Ocean kids club stays open on board. Enjoy the activities on the island you can as a family and then bring them back on board. Adventure Ocean is free of charge, just double check the hours of operation while the ship is in port.

Where to Eat at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Complimentary meals are included on the island at Skipper’s Grill, Chill Grill, or any of the three Snack Shacks. These are all buffet style so lunch won’t take up too much of your fun time on the island. While Captain Jack’s is a la carte with an additional fee we heard the wings and fries were too good not to try. We definitely agree, my five year old may just have eaten 10 wings on her own! Our favorite flavors were the mango habanero and bourbon barbeque.

Can I use my drink package at CocoCay?

You’ll be glad to know if you purchased a drink package for your cruise it extends to the island. Continue to order all the drinks your heart desires, just remember specialty drinks in pineapples and coconuts aren’t included.

Little girl enjoying wings from Captain Jacks in CocoCay, Bahamas

My Overall Review Of Our Perfect Day In CocoCay

We had an amazing time experiencing the Perfect Day at CocoCay. My eldest daughter who’s birthday we were celebrating declared this is how she’d like to spend her birthday every year moving forward!

With So Many Fun Things To Do on Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay Island It Really Is a Perfect Day

Whether you are cruising with children or traveling with your partner or friends CocoCay is fun for all ages. We’ve given you a glimpse of how perfect this day at CocoCay can be. With so many free activities and unlimited food options, there’s something for everyone. What are you looking forward to doing most while on the Island? Let us know in the comments! If you found this article helpful please share it!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

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