After 40+ cruises and countless hours lounging in private island cabanas, I've finally cracked the code on which cruise line offers the better cabana experience. Both Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay have stepped up their game significantly in 2026, but the value equation isn't as straightforward as you might think.
Let me break down exactly what you're getting for your money at both islands, because the marketing photos don't tell the whole story.
Royal Caribbean went all-in with their CocoCay cabana offerings, and you'll definitely feel it in both the experience and your wallet. Here's what I've discovered across multiple visits in 2026:
Overwater Cabanas - The Instagram Dream
These 675-square-foot beauties are still the only overwater cabanas in the Bahamas, and they command premium pricing at $1,299-$1,899 per day depending on your sailing date. For that price, you get direct lagoon access, a changing room with shower, and enough space for 6 guests. The catch? They book up faster than Wonder of the Seas fills her Ultimate Family Suite.
Coco Beach Club Cabanas - Worth the Splurge
Priced at $999-$1,399, these cabanas include beach club access for up to 8 guests, which normally costs $99 per person. Do the math - if you're traveling with 6-8 adults, the cabana actually saves you money while giving you prime real estate on the adult-only beach. The infinity pool views are spectacular, and the dedicated food service beats fighting buffet crowds.
Thrill Waterpark Cabanas - Best Family Value
At $799-$1,199, these include waterpark admission for 6 guests (normally $69 per person). This is where Royal Caribbean's pricing makes sense for families. You're essentially paying $415 for the waterpark tickets and getting the cabana for $384 - not a bad deal when Daredevil's Peak gets crowded.
Standard Beach Cabanas - Skip These
The South Beach and Chill Island cabanas at $699-$999 don't include any perks beyond shade and seating. Unless you absolutely need guaranteed shade, the free beach areas offer similar experiences.
Share your CocoCay cabana experiences in our Caribbean Ports forum - I'd love to hear which location worked best for your group!
Norwegian's approach is refreshingly straightforward - fewer options, but what they offer delivers solid value without the premium pricing games.
Premium Cabanas - $714 Well Spent
For $714 per day, you get space for 8 guests, cushioned seating, ceiling fans, bottled water, and complimentary floating mats. The new Great Life Lagoon area that opened in late 2025 provides a more modern setting than the older beach cabanas. These consistently deliver exactly what's promised - no surprises, good or bad.
Classic Cabanas - The Budget Winner
At $659 per day for up to 6 guests, these represent the best pure value in the private island cabana game. You're paying roughly $110 per person for guaranteed shade, seating, and beach access. Compare that to Royal Caribbean's cheapest option at $116+ per person, and Norwegian wins on price alone.
The trade-off is amenities - you won't get changing rooms, showers, or premium dining service. But for families who just want a home base and don't need luxury touches, these deliver.
Waterpark Cabanas Coming Summer 2026
Norwegian is adding cabanas near their new waterpark area scheduled to open in summer 2026. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect them to compete directly with Royal Caribbean's thrill waterpark offering.
Discuss Norwegian's private island updates in our Norwegian forum - other cruisers are sharing real-time construction photos!
Here's where my experience saves you money - the marketing materials don't tell you about the extras that can double your cabana costs.
Food and Beverage Upcharges
CocoCay's premium cabanas include some food service, but specialty cocktails and premium dining run $15-25 per item. Great Stirrup Cay cabanas include water, but everything else is extra. Budget an additional $200-400 per group for the full day experience.
Equipment Rentals
Floatie rentals, snorkeling gear, and water sports equipment aren't included in most cabana packages. Great Stirrup Cay includes floating mats with premium cabanas, while CocoCay charges $25-45 for similar items.
Gratuities and Service Fees
Both islands add automatic gratuities for cabana service - typically $50-75 per cabana. This isn't mentioned upfront but appears on your final bill.
After tracking availability across multiple sailings in 2026, here's when to book for the best selection and pricing:
For pure luxury and Instagram-worthy experiences, Royal Caribbean wins hands down. Those overwater cabanas are genuinely unique, and the Coco Beach Club setting feels like a high-end resort.
But for value-conscious families or groups who want guaranteed comfort without breaking the budget, Norwegian delivers better bang for your buck. At $659-714 vs $799-1,899, you're saving $400-1,200 that could fund your next cruise.
My personal choice? If I'm celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, I'll splurge on CocoCay's overwater cabana. For regular family cruises, Great Stirrup Cay's premium cabanas give us everything we need at a price that doesn't make me question my life choices.
The real winner might be neither - both islands offer excellent free beach areas that rival many Caribbean resorts. Sometimes the best cabana is the one you don't pay for.
What's your cabana experience been like? Share your tips and photos in our Caribbean Ports forum and help fellow cruisers make the right choice for their budget and travel style!
Let me break down exactly what you're getting for your money at both islands, because the marketing photos don't tell the whole story.
Royal Caribbean CocoCay Cabanas: The Premium Experience
Royal Caribbean went all-in with their CocoCay cabana offerings, and you'll definitely feel it in both the experience and your wallet. Here's what I've discovered across multiple visits in 2026:
Overwater Cabanas - The Instagram Dream
These 675-square-foot beauties are still the only overwater cabanas in the Bahamas, and they command premium pricing at $1,299-$1,899 per day depending on your sailing date. For that price, you get direct lagoon access, a changing room with shower, and enough space for 6 guests. The catch? They book up faster than Wonder of the Seas fills her Ultimate Family Suite.
Coco Beach Club Cabanas - Worth the Splurge
Priced at $999-$1,399, these cabanas include beach club access for up to 8 guests, which normally costs $99 per person. Do the math - if you're traveling with 6-8 adults, the cabana actually saves you money while giving you prime real estate on the adult-only beach. The infinity pool views are spectacular, and the dedicated food service beats fighting buffet crowds.
Thrill Waterpark Cabanas - Best Family Value
At $799-$1,199, these include waterpark admission for 6 guests (normally $69 per person). This is where Royal Caribbean's pricing makes sense for families. You're essentially paying $415 for the waterpark tickets and getting the cabana for $384 - not a bad deal when Daredevil's Peak gets crowded.
Standard Beach Cabanas - Skip These
The South Beach and Chill Island cabanas at $699-$999 don't include any perks beyond shade and seating. Unless you absolutely need guaranteed shade, the free beach areas offer similar experiences.
Share your CocoCay cabana experiences in our Caribbean Ports forum - I'd love to hear which location worked best for your group!
Norwegian Great Stirrup Cay: The Value Champion
Norwegian's approach is refreshingly straightforward - fewer options, but what they offer delivers solid value without the premium pricing games.
Premium Cabanas - $714 Well Spent
For $714 per day, you get space for 8 guests, cushioned seating, ceiling fans, bottled water, and complimentary floating mats. The new Great Life Lagoon area that opened in late 2025 provides a more modern setting than the older beach cabanas. These consistently deliver exactly what's promised - no surprises, good or bad.
Classic Cabanas - The Budget Winner
At $659 per day for up to 6 guests, these represent the best pure value in the private island cabana game. You're paying roughly $110 per person for guaranteed shade, seating, and beach access. Compare that to Royal Caribbean's cheapest option at $116+ per person, and Norwegian wins on price alone.
The trade-off is amenities - you won't get changing rooms, showers, or premium dining service. But for families who just want a home base and don't need luxury touches, these deliver.
Waterpark Cabanas Coming Summer 2026
Norwegian is adding cabanas near their new waterpark area scheduled to open in summer 2026. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect them to compete directly with Royal Caribbean's thrill waterpark offering.
Discuss Norwegian's private island updates in our Norwegian forum - other cruisers are sharing real-time construction photos!
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Here's where my experience saves you money - the marketing materials don't tell you about the extras that can double your cabana costs.
Food and Beverage Upcharges
CocoCay's premium cabanas include some food service, but specialty cocktails and premium dining run $15-25 per item. Great Stirrup Cay cabanas include water, but everything else is extra. Budget an additional $200-400 per group for the full day experience.
Equipment Rentals
Floatie rentals, snorkeling gear, and water sports equipment aren't included in most cabana packages. Great Stirrup Cay includes floating mats with premium cabanas, while CocoCay charges $25-45 for similar items.
Gratuities and Service Fees
Both islands add automatic gratuities for cabana service - typically $50-75 per cabana. This isn't mentioned upfront but appears on your final bill.
Booking Strategy: Timing Is Everything
After tracking availability across multiple sailings in 2026, here's when to book for the best selection and pricing:
- CocoCay cabanas: Book immediately when your cruise opens for online check-in (45 days out). Overwater cabanas sell out first, followed by Coco Beach Club options
- Great Stirrup Cay cabanas: More availability, but premium lagoon-area cabanas still book up 30 days out
- Shoulder season savings: April-May and September-October offer 15-20% lower cabana pricing on both islands
- Last-minute availability: Check the morning of arrival - I've scored day-of cabanas three times when other guests cancelled
My Honest Bottom Line
For pure luxury and Instagram-worthy experiences, Royal Caribbean wins hands down. Those overwater cabanas are genuinely unique, and the Coco Beach Club setting feels like a high-end resort.
But for value-conscious families or groups who want guaranteed comfort without breaking the budget, Norwegian delivers better bang for your buck. At $659-714 vs $799-1,899, you're saving $400-1,200 that could fund your next cruise.
My personal choice? If I'm celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, I'll splurge on CocoCay's overwater cabana. For regular family cruises, Great Stirrup Cay's premium cabanas give us everything we need at a price that doesn't make me question my life choices.
The real winner might be neither - both islands offer excellent free beach areas that rival many Caribbean resorts. Sometimes the best cabana is the one you don't pay for.
What's your cabana experience been like? Share your tips and photos in our Caribbean Ports forum and help fellow cruisers make the right choice for their budget and travel style!
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