MIAMI — Royal Caribbean is investing billions of dollars into new ships, new onboard experiences and a new global private island collection that includes a US$200 million transformation of CocoCay in The Bahamas.

As part of the initiative Royal Caribbean has launched its new Perfect Day Island Collection, a series of what the cruise line says are “unrivaled and exclusive” private island destinations around the world.

The first in the collection, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is a US$200 million transformation of the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean ships departing from New York, Maryland and Florida will call at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The island transformation will roll out in phases beginning September 2018 with the completion of a new pier, and by spring 2019 the majority of the island’s experiences will be open. Coco Beach Club, the final phase, is set to open November 2019. Highlights include:

• Thrill Waterpark, featuring two water towers with 13 slides – the most slides found in any waterpark in the Caribbean – and including the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. The waterpark will also feature the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and a kid-friendly obstacle course pool.
• Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, with a swim-up bar and in-pool loungers.
• A 1,600-foot zip line that crisscrosses the island at up to 50 feet high and features the only water landing in the Caribbean.
• A helium balloon, known as Up, Up and Away, floats up to 450 feet above the ground providing for the highest vantage point in The Bahamas.
• Two specially designed beaches – Chill Island for the ultimate beach escape, complete with crystal-clear tropical waters and white powder-like sand – and plentiful cabanas and daybeds for relaxation; and the action-packed South Beach with volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer, paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing in an inflatable zorb ball.
• The exclusive Coco Beach Club, will offer an upscale island experience that will feature the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas.

Additional Perfect Day Island Collection destinations in Asia, Australia and the Caribbean will be announced at a later date.

“It’s true that our ships are technological and engineering marvels in their own right and offer a multitude of unexpected experiences; but our destinations are an equally important part of the cruise vacation,” says Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

“We are introducing the Perfect Day Island Collection to deliver the most memorable vacation for adventure seekers on land and on board our ships. Once completed Perfect Day at CocoCay will be the ultimate family destination in the Caribbean.”

Adding to recently announced digital innovations, including frictionless check-in, stateroom technology and a new mobile app, the cruise line has committed $900 million to reimagining its fleet through a new modernization effort called Royal Amplified.

Spanning 10 ships in four years, the program will introduce specialized pool spaces, experiential dining and nightlife concepts, and first-of-its-kind attractions like Sky Pad, a VR bungee trampoline experience.

Royal Caribbean is also answering the call for shorter vacations – especially in demand from Millennials – by boosting its short Caribbean getaways lineup.

In summer 2018 Mariner of the Seas will undergo a $90 million modernization adding Sky Pad and a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience; The Bamboo Room, a retro lounge with tiki-chic décor; and the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Mariner will sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami.

Sister ship Navigator of the Seas will follow in 2019, and receive an even more extensive modernization before joining Mariner of the Seas to offer short sailings.

In 2019 both ships will call extensively on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Symphony of the Seas is set to debut this spring. Royal Caribbean’s other new ships on the horizon including the Quantum Ultra Class Spectrum of the Seas, an evolution of the Quantum Class of ships set to debut in 2019; a second Quantum Ultra Class ship in 2020, a fifth Oasis Class ship in 2021 and a new class known as Icon, with ships delivered in 2022 and 2024.