Royal Caribbean makes splash with return of popular activity pass
Royal Caribbean just brought back an activity pass that cruisers have been hoping would return for years.
Royal Caribbean has some good news for passengers who want to spend less on a popular way to enjoy their time at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.
CocoCay is an island playground packed with fun things to do, and although many of the activities are included in passengers’ cruise fares, excursions and some attractions like the Thrill Waterpark, zip line, and helium balloon cost extra.
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Some of the most popular activities can be quite expensive, and with prices fluctuating based on demand, cruisers are often looking for ways to get the best deal on CocoCay add-ons.
For cruisers who want to conquer the tallest waterslide in the Caribbean without spending more than $100 per person on an all-day waterpark pass, adding some adventure to a day at CocoCay just got more affordable.
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Royal Caribbean brings back half-day passes for CocoCay’s Thrill Waterpark
For the last few years, the only way to get access to CocoCay’s towering waterslides was with the purchase of a full-day Thrill Waterpark pass. Royal Caribbean once offered a less-expensive, half-day pass option, but this pass hasn’t been offered for several years — until now.
As of late April 2025, half-day passes for Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay are back, according to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com, an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line.
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Passengers are now finding a new half-day pass option for Thrill Waterpark in the Cruise Planner for their upcoming cruises. Prices for the half-day pass vary by sailing but are significantly less than the full-day pass option.
The half-day pass is only available for afternoons at CocoCay, which is probably done for two logistical reasons. First, by only offering the pass for afternoons, Royal Caribbean doesn’t have to worry about how to get cruisers with morning passes out of the waterpark when their time is up. Second, Thrill Waterpark is often less busy in the afternoon as cruisers start heading back to the ship after lunch.
Half-day waterpark passes are a smart business move
Not only does offering half-day Thrill Waterpark passes help cruisers enjoy the slides for less, it’s a smart move that could make the cruise line more money in the end.
Sure, some passengers may swap the more expensive full-day pass for the cheaper half-day option, but offering an additional pass could very likely result in even higher revenue. Some cruisers who previously wouldn’t have booked a full-day pass will surely decide that a half-day pass is worth it for them.
The half-day pass is also a great option for cruisers who want to spend some time on the slides, but also want to enjoy other things that CocoCay has to offer like its beaches, snorkeling, and giant lagoon-style pool.
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In addition to 14 waterslides across two towers, the Thrill Waterpark pass gives cruisers access to the Caribbean’s largest wave pool. The pass also comes with complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, and complimentary burgers, hot dogs, and salads at the Snack Shack. Drinks are available at an additional charge unless passengers have purchased a beverage package for their cruise.
Thrill Waterpark opening and closing times vary by sailing and ship arrival and departure times, so the amount of time cruisers will have to enjoy the waterpark with a half-day pass will likely vary based on this, too.
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