From a distance, the overwater cabanas at Royal Caribbean’s Coco Beach Club look like something lifted straight from French Polynesia and dropped into the Bahamas. Thatched roofs, private decks and slides into turquoise water promise the ultimate Perfect Day at CocoCay.
They also carry some of the steepest price tags in the cruise world, frequently rivaling the cost of the entire vacation itself. For many travelers, the real question is not whether they look spectacular, but whether a single day in a floating cabana can genuinely be worth thousands of dollars.
What Exactly Are the Overwater Cabanas at Coco Beach Club?
Royal Caribbean’s Coco Beach Club is the premium, limited-capacity enclave on Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. At the heart of its luxury offering are 20 overwater cabanas, also called floating cabanas, set on a pier-like structure off a quiet stretch of beach.
The line often describes them as a taste of Bora Bora in the Bahamas, and visually they live up to that billing, with thatched roofs, sweeping ocean views and direct access to the sea.
Each overwater cabana is designed for up to eight guests and functions more like a private living room over the ocean than a simple daybed with shade. They come with a large sectional sofa, loungers, shaded seating, lockable storage, a ceiling fan, a dining table and multiple spots to relax between dips in the water.
The idea is that once you arrive, you do not need to fight for loungers, walk far for drinks or share prime shoreline with hundreds of other guests.
These cabanas also sit inside Coco Beach Club, which is itself a gated area. Access is normally sold as a separate day pass, but cabana bookings automatically include admission for up to eight people.
That is a key part of the value equation: the cabana fee is not just paying for the structure over the water but also for private-club access, elevated dining and a quieter pool and beach zone for the entire group.
Amenities: What You Actually Get for the Price
The headline features of the overwater cabanas are the setting and the extras that go beyond what you find at the island’s free beaches. Each cabana comes with its own overwater hammock, a small private freshwater shower, a dedicated ladder into the ocean and often a private slide that drops straight into the sea.
For guests who want a day that feels completely different from the typical cruise-port beach stop, those touches can be transformative.
Inside and on the deck, the cabanas are fully kitted out. You will find multiple loungers, a large sectional couch, a dining table and seating, a mini-fridge stocked with bottled water, power outlets and USB charging, and a locker-style table that doubles as secure storage for phones and valuables.
A cabana attendant is assigned to your party for the day, delivering drinks, towels, snacks and lunch from the Coco Beach Club restaurant. Travelers routinely note that service in the cabanas is among the best they encounter on the island, with staff checking in frequently but not intrusively.
Equally important, all cabana rentals at Coco Beach Club include access to all of the club’s core facilities. That means use of the oceanfront infinity pool, which is heated and often far less crowded than the island’s main free pool; loungers and daybeds around that pool; and the club’s dedicated beach area with cushioned loungers near the shoreline. For many guests, the combination of cabana privacy, a tranquil pool, and an uncrowded restaurant is what begins to justify the splurge.
Lunch at Coco Beach Club is a notable step up from the complimentary food offered elsewhere on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Entrees commonly include grilled Bahamian lobster, herb-marinated filet mignon, fresh grouper and other dishes that feel closer to a specialty restaurant than a buffet line.
Desserts, snacks and morning pastries are also included. Drinks are extra, but shipboard beverage packages are honored on the island, which softens the blow for those who already purchased them.
What They Actually Cost in 2025 and 2026
The uncomfortable truth is that there is no single “price” for an overwater cabana at Coco Beach Club. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing that shifts depending on the ship, sailing date, demand and how far out you are from departure.
For recent and upcoming cruises in late 2025 and early 2026, overwater cabanas often show up in cruise planners at well over 3,000 dollars for the day, and in some cases more than 4,000 or even 5,000 dollars for peak sailings.
Travelers comparing notes online report a wide range of recent prices. On some May and summer sailings, overwater cabanas have appeared around 4,000 dollars or more, with occasional spot checks pushing near 5,000 dollars.
Others sailing in shoulder seasons or booking during sales have reported prices in the 1,800 to 2,500 dollar range, and a few outliers in the low 1,400s when promotions combine with less in-demand dates. Historically, some cruisers locked in rates under 2,000 dollars in the first years after the cabanas debuted, but those prices are increasingly rare in today’s market.
For context, Royal Caribbean’s own guidance suggests that Coco Beach Club cabanas on land start around the low four figures, while overwater cabanas generally start significantly higher, often in the mid-2,000 dollar range before demand pushes them upward.
On many mainstream cruises, particularly short itineraries, that means a floating cabana can easily cost as much or more than the fare for an entire family’s cruise, especially if they booked a standard cabin or found a discounted fare.
It is also worth remembering that while the cabana rate covers up to eight people and includes their Coco Beach Club admission, it does not include alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi or gratuities.
Guests can use shipboard Wi-Fi and drink packages on the island, but à la carte purchases will add up quickly. From a practical budgeting standpoint, travelers should treat the cabana cost as a starting point rather than the true total for that day on the island.
How the Experience Compares to the Rest of Perfect Day at CocoCay
One of the main arguments against splurging on an overwater cabana is that Perfect Day at CocoCay already offers a full day’s worth of beaches, pools and food at no added charge. The island’s main Oasis Lagoon pool, several beaches and multiple snack shacks are complimentary, as are lounge chairs and umbrellas in most public areas.
For guests who are comfortable in livelier, family-focused spaces, it is entirely possible to have a fantastic beach day without spending anything beyond standard bar or souvenir purchases.
Coco Beach Club, and by extension the overwater cabanas, are designed to be almost the opposite of that high-energy environment. Capacity at the club is strictly limited, which translates into a quieter infinity pool, far fewer children than in the rest of the island’s public zones, and an overall atmosphere more akin to a resort’s club-level pool than a mass-market beach break.
Guests who value lower noise levels, easily available loungers, and attentive but relaxed service tend to rate the club, and especially the cabanas, very highly.
Dining is another differentiator. While the free venues on Perfect Day at CocoCay are widely praised for fresh, casual food, the dedicated restaurant in Coco Beach Club offers plated, made-to-order dishes that many cruisers consider among the best meals of their entire trip.
When you pair that with being able to dine steps from your private cabana or at a serene oceanfront restaurant, the upgrade begins to feel more substantial than a simple “pay extra for a chair with shade.”
Still, it is important to be candid: the island’s complimentary offerings are already robust. For some travelers, particularly those who see CocoCay as just one stop on an itinerary filled with ports, the concept of paying several thousand dollars for one beach day will naturally seem disproportionate.
The value gap is most pronounced for smaller parties, such as couples, who are effectively paying a per-person rate that can easily surpass 1,000 dollars each when not splitting the cost eight ways.
When the Overwater Cabanas Feel Worth the Splurge
Travelers who walk away raving about their overwater cabana day tend to share a few common traits. First, they are usually traveling with a group large enough to spread out the cost. With eight guests, even a 3,000 dollar cabana effectively prices out to 375 dollars per person for a full day that includes admission to Coco Beach Club, premium facilities and a long, multi-course lunch.
That is still a significant outlay, but in the realm of special-occasion splurges it is more in line with a high-end resort day pass or a full day in a luxury cabana at a marquee Las Vegas pool.
Second, they place a high premium on privacy, comfort and service. For multigenerational families, reunion groups or friends traveling together, having a guaranteed base for the day with shade, cushioned seating and storage can transform the island stop into a private gathering rather than a scramble for loungers.
Parents of young children appreciate the ability to retreat to a comfortable, contained space for naps, snacks and downtime away from the busiest beaches and pools.
Third, the overwater setting itself matters. Guests who love spending time in the ocean often highlight how effortless it is to move between the cabana deck and the water, using the ladder or slide and then drying off on the hammock or loungers without walking across hot sand.
The sense of seclusion, with bright turquoise water in all directions and the rest of the island at a distance, is a core part of the appeal and a major reason some repeat cruisers say they plan their itineraries around the chance to book a floating cabana again.
Finally, these cabanas shine on itineraries where Perfect Day at CocoCay is the clear centerpiece. On cruises that visit only a handful of ports, or where other stops are shorter or more limited, guests often feel more comfortable devoting a significant share of their vacation budget to making this particular day “perfect.” Some travelers even describe the overwater cabana as the highlight of their entire trip, which hints at how memorable the experience can be when expectations and budget are aligned.
When You Should Probably Skip It
On the other side of the debate are travelers who come away unconvinced that any single-day cabana can justify a four-figure price tag. The most obvious scenario where a floating cabana becomes difficult to defend is when sea conditions or weather do not cooperate.
While Royal Caribbean may cancel cabana bookings if the ship cannot dock at CocoCay, guests generally are not compensated simply because the day is overcast, breezy or cooler than expected. If the water is too chilly or rough to enjoy sliding and swimming, the main advantage of being over the ocean is diminished.
Time in port can also erode value. Ships typically spend only a handful of hours at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and it is not uncommon for delays in clearance, heavy crowds disembarking or early last-call times for tenders or gangways to trim usable time.
For guests who end up with five or six effective hours on the island, the math on a several-thousand-dollar cabana becomes less persuasive, particularly in shoulder seasons when ocean temperatures are less inviting.
Group size is another key factor. For couples or small families, the per-person cost climbs rapidly. A 3,000 dollar floating cabana for two people translates into 1,500 dollars each before drinks or gratuities, which rivals or exceeds what some travelers pay for an entire weeklong cruise.
Unless the cabana is serving as a once-in-a-lifetime celebration venue, such as an engagement or milestone birthday, many budget-conscious travelers will understandably struggle to see the value.
Personality matters too. Guests who enjoy a lively pool atmosphere, enjoy wandering between different parts of the island, or prefer spontaneous, low-structure days are sometimes underwhelmed by being anchored to a single, albeit beautiful, spot.
For them, the quiet, curated feel of Coco Beach Club may come across as too sedate, and the extra comfort does not offset what they perceive as a loss of energy and variety compared with the island’s public zones.
Strategies to Make a Floating Cabana More Affordable
For those who like the idea of an overwater cabana but balk at peak pricing, there are ways to tip the value equation more in your favor. One of the most effective tactics is to book early and then track prices in Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner in the months leading up to sailing.
Because cabana pricing is dynamic, rates sometimes dip during sales or on Black Friday and holiday promotions. Many experienced cruisers reserve at a price they can accept, then cancel and rebook the same cabana if they see a substantial drop.
Picking the right sailing can also matter as much as monitoring promotions. Overwater cabanas on marquee ships, summer holidays and peak Caribbean seasons tend to command the highest rates.
Shoulder-season sailings, especially those avoiding school breaks, are more likely to show lower cabana prices, both for Coco Beach Club admission and for the cabanas themselves. Guests able to travel in late spring or early fall often have the best chance of seeing rates closer to the lower end of the recent range.
Filling all eight spots is another clear way to soften the financial blow. Some travelers deliberately coordinate with extended family or friends precisely so they can divide the cabana cost several ways.
This might mean inviting another family from the same sailing to share, agreeing on expectations in advance about arrival times, use of the slide and deck, and how to handle bar tabs and tips. For the right group, this arrangement turns a once “unreachable” experience into a splurge that, while still expensive, feels more comparable to what they might spend on a full resort day pass elsewhere.
It is also worth considering whether a beach cabana inside Coco Beach Club could offer most of what you want at a materially lower rate. Land-based cabanas include the same club admission, upgraded dining, attentive service and proximity to the heated infinity pool, but they frequently price lower than their overwater counterparts.
For some travelers, especially those more interested in the pool and beach than in novelty of being over the water, that compromise delivers much of the luxury feel with less sticker shock.
The Takeaway
Overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club occupy a rarefied corner of the cruise experience. They are visually stunning, packed with amenities, and backed by upgraded dining and service that most guests thoroughly enjoy.
For travelers who arrive with a full group of eight, value quiet exclusivity, and view CocoCay as the emotional center of their cruise, a floating cabana can deliver a day that feels genuinely extraordinary, and for some, worth planning an entire voyage around.
But they are also among the most polarizing extras in cruising, precisely because their price tags routinely rival or exceed the cost of the cruise itself. If you are traveling as a couple, sailing during peak holiday periods, or the idea of paying four figures for a few hours by the water makes you queasy, the math will likely never make sense, no matter how comfortable the cushions or how turquoise the water. Perfect Day at CocoCay was designed so that you can have a thoroughly satisfying island day without spending anything extra.
Ultimately, whether the overwater cabanas are worth the splurge comes down to how you define value in a vacation. If your priority is maximizing experiences and memories and you can afford the cost without strain, then a once-in-a-trip, shared day in a floating cabana may indeed feel priceless.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to stretch your travel budget across multiple adventures or cabins and itineraries, CocoCay’s free beaches and pools will still deliver sun, sea and smiles at a fraction of the cost. In that sense, the real luxury here is choice.
FAQ
Q1. How many people can share an overwater cabana at Coco Beach Club?
Each overwater cabana is designed to accommodate up to eight guests, and the rental price includes Coco Beach Club admission for all of them. Larger groups would need to book more than one cabana or combine a cabana with additional day passes.
Q2. What is typically included in the overwater cabana price?
The cabana fee includes the cabana itself for the day, admission to Coco Beach Club for up to eight guests, use of the infinity pool and private beach area, a dedicated cabana attendant, bottled water, loungers, towels, lockable storage, charging outlets, a freshwater shower and access to the club’s elevated lunch and snack offerings.
Q3. What is not included with an overwater cabana?
Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, Wi-Fi access and gratuities are not included in the cabana price. However, if you have a shipboard beverage package or Wi-Fi package, you can generally use it on Perfect Day at CocoCay, including at Coco Beach Club.
Q4. How much do overwater cabanas usually cost?
Prices fluctuate widely, but in late 2025 and early 2026 many sailings show overwater cabana rates between roughly 2,000 and 4,000 dollars for the day, with some peak sailings exceeding 5,000 dollars. Less popular dates or sale periods can occasionally bring prices closer to the lower end of that range.
Q5. Is there a difference between overwater cabanas and beach cabanas at Coco Beach Club?
Yes. Both types include club admission and similar amenities, but overwater cabanas sit above the ocean and usually include a slide and overwater hammock, while beach cabanas are on land, closer to the infinity pool, restaurant and restrooms. Beach cabanas typically cost less and may involve less walking to and from the main facilities.
Q6. Can I cancel or rebook my cabana if the price changes before my cruise?
Royal Caribbean’s policies can vary, but many guests are able to cancel a cabana in the cruise planner and rebook at a lower price if one appears before final payment deadlines. It is important to check current terms and conditions for your specific sailing and monitor pricing regularly.
Q7. What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my cabana rental?
If the ship cannot call at Perfect Day at CocoCay due to weather or other operational issues, cabana charges are generally refunded. However, if the ship docks and the island is open, cabanas usually operate as scheduled even if conditions are overcast, windy or cooler than ideal, and refunds are not typically issued solely for poor weather.
Q8. Is the food at Coco Beach Club really better than elsewhere on CocoCay?
Many guests report that the Coco Beach Club restaurant offers some of the best food of their entire cruise, with dishes such as filet mignon, fresh lobster, fish and more elaborate appetizers and desserts. In comparison, the island’s complimentary venues focus on high-quality but more casual fare like burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Q9. How early should I book an overwater cabana?
Availability is limited to just 20 overwater cabanas, and they often sell out on popular sailings. It is wise to book as soon as the cabanas appear in your cruise planner at a price you can accept, then monitor for potential price drops that might allow you to cancel and rebook at a lower rate.
Q10. Who is most likely to find the overwater cabanas worth the cost?
Travelers who benefit most tend to be groups of six to eight people who value privacy, comfort and attentive service, are comfortable anchoring their day in one luxurious location, and view CocoCay as a highlight of their trip. For them, splitting the cost across the group and enjoying a seamless, resort-style day over the water can justify the premium price.