The Best Fun for All Ages in the Caribbean

There is fun for all ages in the Caribbean islands, and you can find great things to do from Trinidad & Tobago all the way up to the Bahamas. But with so much to do in so many places, it can be hard to decide. So, from safari and jungle trips to chocolate fun, here are some ideas.

Water-Based Activities

The Caribbean is, of course, a sea and is home to over 700 islands. Each is unique and stunning in its own right, with plenty of glass blue waters surrounding them. This means you can have all the water-based fun you want, from family kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba to boat and yacht rental. But what are the best Yachts for charter with a Water Slide in The Bahamas? Well, the answer really depends on what you want, and there are many tour guides to choose from.

Looking for some cruise fun? Check out Cococay, a privately owned, Royal Caribbean island. The only way to get to this fun waterpark and beach lounging island is by sailing with Royal Caribbean.

How About a Safari Trip?

Each Caribbean island has unique mammals, reptiles, and sea life. Many islands are very small, while others are larger. And the largest ones are home to so many animals you would be amazed. As such, you can book a safari excursion on most of them. Some of the best for families include Aruba’s Wild Side Safari, which you can experience in your own UTV. And if you love monkeys, you can’t go wrong on a trip to Monkeyland and Plantation Safari in Punta Cana.

Chocolatey Fun for All Ages in the Caribbean

Tropical regions are known for their production of coffee and chocolate. South America is a typical example. While 95% of the world’s current cocoa comes from East Africa, around 1.5% comes from the Caribbean Islands. Grenada, in particular, offers chocolate experiences at the Grenada Chocolate Company. Here, you can see how the eco-friendly chocolate is made from the cocoa, and you can also buy some of the freshest products made right there in the factory.

Don’t Forget the Turtles

If there is one thing you absolutely must see on a Caribbean trip, it’s the nesting of baby turtles. Depending on when you visit, you will see something different. But the turtle nesting and hatching season goes on from January until September. This all happens at night, adding to the magic of the majestic turtle. But early on, you can see mother turtles making nests and laying eggs. If you are very lucky, you will even witness the experience of the baby turtles hatching from the eggs.

A Relaxing Family Resort

Getting out and experiencing all that the Caribbean has to offer makes fond family memories. But even a great day out can be exhausting, especially with the kids. So it helps if you make sure to book your stay at one of the many family resorts dotted around the islands. Some of the best for families include Antigua’s Curtain Bluff, Tamarind in Barbados, and the Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa in the Dominican Republic. And you can find something great on any budget.

Summary

Water activities like snorkeling offer fun for all ages in the Caribbean islands. Yet you can visit locations such as chocolate factories and safari experiences. Or even witness turtles hatching.


The Royal Up Program: Royal Caribbean's Upgrade Experience

The Royal Up Program: Royal Caribbean’s Upgrade Experience

Imagine sailing away on a luxurious cruise, savoring the sea breeze and soaking up the sun. But wait, what if there’s a way to enhance your experience even further? Enter the Royal Up Program.

The Royal Up Program, offered by Royal Caribbean, allows you to potentially score an upgrade to a higher stateroom category. Just think of the possibilities. You might find yourself in a spacious suite with breathtaking ocean views. And you can hopefully do that for cheaper than regular price!

Royal Caribbean main pool deck 12 while docked near a city.

How does the Royal Up Program work?

When eligible, you’ll receive an email invitation to participate in the Royal Up Program. Once you receive the invitation, it’s time to channel your inner explorer and embark on an upgrade journey. In the email, it will list possible staterooms that you can bid on. You will select the monetary amount that you are willing to pay for a specific stateroom upgrade. Be aware though! You are bidding on a “per person” amount. But it only applies to the first and second guest on the booking reservation. You will not be charged for third or higher guests if your offer is accepted. Additionally, if you are in a single occupancy booking, you will be charged for double occupancy.

You are also more than welcome to big on multiple rooms to increase your chances of getting upgraded. You will however only be able to bid on one room per category. But don’t worry – you will only pay for one upgrade if accepted.

Royal Caribbean will notify you via email prior to your sailing departure if your bid was accepted. If you win the upgrade, you’ll be charged the bid amount, and voilà, you’re off to a more opulent abode onboard. It’s like stepping into a hidden treasure trove of comfort and luxury. And if you don’t get your bid accepted, you will not be charged for any upgrades and you will keep the stateroom that you originally had.

It’s important to note that the program is subject to availability, so grab your chance while you can. Remember, luck favors the adventurous!

What stateroom categories are up for grabs in the Royal Up program?

Potential Royal Caribbean Royal Up program offers for suites

Well, it can vary depending on the sailing and availability. You might have the opportunity to elevate your experience from a cozy interior room to a spacious balcony stateroom, or even ascend to the heights of a magnificent suite.

Now, you might be wondering, “Are there any restrictions?” The Royal Up Program does have a few. For instance, if you’ve already paid in full or are within a certain time frame before departure, you won’t be eligible to participate. But fear not, other adventures await!

Remember, the Royal Up Program is all about adding that extra touch of grandeur to your cruise experience. It’s an opportunity to seize, a chance to make your journey even more unforgettable. And every time you book a suite on Royal Caribbean, you will automatically earn twice the amount of points on your cruise. Be sure to use those points to tier match to MGM Rewards!

So embrace the thrill of the Royal Up Program! Why wouldn’t you want to cruise to CocoCay in style? Upgrade your adventure, elevate your expectations, and let the waves of luxury sweep you off your feet. Your upgraded stateroom is just a bid away. Bon voyage!


Cruising to Paradise: A Perfect Day at CocoCay – Map 2023

Nestled in the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas, lies the perfect getaway for sun-seekers and thrill-seekers alike. A place where you can do dare-devilish waterslides or go work on your tan lines. This tropical paradise, known as Perfect Day at CocoCay, has been reimagined and enhanced for 2023, offering an even more unforgettable experience than before. So let’s dive in to this Perfect Day at CocoCay review!

All about Perfect Day CocoCay

CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private island. From exhilarating waterslides to serene lagoons, this island oasis has something for everyone. Known for its Thrill Waterpark, as you can imagine there are many families in attendance. Also this private port can have two ships docked at once. So you shouldn’t be shocked to see another Royal Caribbean cruise there the same day you are!

Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Not to fret though. Even though two ships can undock here, there is still plenty of space. There are lounging chairs aplenty and the small island is big enough that it doesn’t seem like two full cruises are on one plot of land.

How’s the food at CocoCay?

The food is perfect for what you’re craving after a long day of sun and fun. And yes, it’s free! The great thing about cruises is that the food is included with your cruise reservation. Unless of course you go to one of their premium restaurants. And Royal Caribbean has, in my opinion, the BEST quality of food.

Part of the menu included: hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, a chicken sandwich, cookies, funnel cake, and more! The service is also super quick and easy. I had the chicken sandwich and it was delicious. My husband got a hot dog and we were both a little bummed that it was more on the luke-warm side. Still delicious though.

Perfect Day at CocoCay map 2023
Perfect Day at CocoCay map 2023

Breaking down the CocoCay Map 2023

There are three options for enjoying CocoCay:

  • The “free” part of it, which is essentially just getting off of the ship and wandering around on your own
  • The Thrill Waterpark ticket, which includes exploring on your own and as well as entrance into the waterpark
  • Or upgrading your perfect day by going to a secluded beach at Coco Beach Club or enjoying other paid experiences, cabanas, and daybeds.

Free Access

Access to CocoCay is included with your cruise itinerary. All you have to do is get off of the ship and enjoy your surroundings! Included in this access is Harbor Beach, Oasis Lagoon, and Chill Island. But this does not mean you are allowed to access all the amenities. You may encounter daybeds or gazebos on the water. Unless you reserve these ahead of time, you will not be able to use them. Prices will vary. The lounge chairs however are free to use and they are everywhere!

For anyone traveling with small kids, if your little ones are not quite big enough for the Thrill Waterpark, CocoCay does have some water playgrounds that are a part of the “free access”. They can be found right outside of Thrill Waterpark on numbers 6 and 7 on the CocoCay map 2023 above.

Thrill Waterpark

The Thrill Waterpark is about $130 per person and it is recommended to buy your tickets ahead of time. Personally after experiencing Thrill Waterpark, I think $130 is a little overpriced. This isn’t to say that their slides weren’t awesome because they definitely were. But it just seems steep. Also since the majority of their slides are pretty “thrill” worthy, if you are scared of heights or intense waterslides, Thrill Waterpark won’t be worth it.

Pro tip: Looking for some hype, but don’t want to pay for Thrill Waterpark? Oasis Lagoon is going to be your spot. They have a swim-up bar that has a DJ booth right next to it. As an adult, this was the place to be to get great drinks and enjoy a very energetic atmosphere! Also because it was very loud and also right next to the swim-up bar, there weren’t many kids around.

Coco Beach Club and private cabanas

Coco Beach Club is all about relaxation. If you want to take some time for yourself away from others, this would be the way to go. However during our trip, we actually talked to some people that purchased this beach access and had a gazebo on the water. They said that unless you really don’t want to be bothered or be around people, it isn’t worth it. There is so much to do on this island oasis. I wouldn’t blame them if they had a little FOMO from hearing how much fun other people were having!

Perfect Day at CocoCay. View from Harbor Beach area.
The view from Harbor Beach. Listed #14 on the CocoCay map 2023.

Final Perfect Day at CocoCay Review

Overall, I am impressed with CocoCay. However, I did picture it bigger. The commercials really make it seem like Thrill Waterpark was the majority of the property. But I do like that there is a lot to do. There are also plenty of areas to explore and relax. Whether you’re an adult who loves waterparks or you have a family with kids, it is a great spot! And even if you would rather spend some time in a quieter area, they have that too. Just look at the CocoCay map 2023 and you can see just how much fun is waiting for you on your next adventure!

Lastly, if you vacation with Royal Caribbean frequently and are also a fan of MGM Resorts, be sure to get your Royal Caribbean tier match with MGM Rewards!


Royal Caribbean tier matches to MGM Rewards

Royal Caribbean Tier Matches with MGM Rewards

Traveling on a budget is an easy feat when you know how to maximize your savings. If you have followed this blog, then you know that I am kind of the myVEGAS expert. Need to save money on your stay in Las Vegas? I got you. Now I have the biggest game changer to the budget travel game – Royal Caribbean tier matches to MGM Rewards!

How Tier Matching Works

When it comes to tier matching, usually businesses work within the same industry. For example, if you love MGM Resorts and gamble there often, you can have your MGM Rewards tier get matched to a similar tier for Caesar’s properties. Or if you frequently cruise with Royal Caribbean, you can get a tier match of equivalent value with Celebrity Cruises.

But if you have looked over the rewards on the myVEGAS apps, you might have seen Royal Caribbean pop up. It’s hard to believe, but it is true! MGM Rewards will match your Royal Caribbean tier with a corresponding MGM tier. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect from your Crown & Anchor status being matched to a corresponding MGM tier.

Royal Caribbean tier match to MGM Rewards
This is the tier match you can expect to receive with MGM Rewards. Picture from Royal Caribbean’s Partnership Benefits.

How to get your MGM Rewards tier match from Royal Caribbean

  1. First have your MGM Rewards and Crown & Anchor Society account numbers handy.
  2. Next you are going to call MGM Resort Services at (866)761-7111 and press 5.
  3. Let them know that you want to tier match your Royal Caribbean account to your MGM Rewards account.
  4. They will need to verify with Royal Caribbean that the information is correct so they will place you on a brief hold as they verify it.
  5. And that’s it! You should see the tier match on your account almost immediately!

By getting your Royal Caribbean tier match to MGM Rewards, you can now take advantage of MGM member benefits like exclusive room rates and other discounts. Learn more about MGM’s tier matching on their website.

This is, however, a one-way tier match. You will not be able to use your MGM status to get a corresponding tier match with Royal Caribbean. For example, even if you are already a MGM Gold member, you will not be able to become a Crown & Anchor Emerald member. The only way to get a higher Crown & Anchor tier status is to simply cruise more!

Click here to read about Perfect Day at CocoCay and get the inside scoop on the CocoCay map for 2023?