The short answer
- Ashore
- Docked
- Free beach
- 3–10 min on paved paths
- Hardest part
- Soft sand; no beach mats anywhere
The rule that changed — October 1, 2024
Royal Caribbean discontinued the general pier tram. Pickup at the pier end, near the forward gangways, is now reserved exclusively for guests with wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility needs. Everyone else walks the pier. Many people still don't know this, including some who would qualify for it.
If you need that pickup, say so at the gangway. It is there for exactly this reason, and it removes the longest walk of the day.
The island tram is a separate thing and still runs for everyone, every 10 to 15 minutes, with seven stops. Several stops are wheelchair accessible, and drivers will often stop if you wave them down.
What the day asks of you
- Very little, by cruise standards. Paved pathways and ramps run across the island, so distances are manageable and the surface is predictable.
- Walking times from Arrivals Plaza: Thrill Waterpark about 3 minutes, Harbor Beach 5, Chill Island 5 to 10, Oasis Lagoon 8, South Beach 10.
- Coco Beach Club is nearly a mile away. Take the tram. This is the one distance here that catches people out.
- Sand is still sand. Paved paths get you close, but the last stretch to the water is soft going.
What's free and included
- Beach wheelchairs, first come first served — ask any crew member to locate one.
- Pool lifts at Oasis Lagoon and Coco Beach Club, and the Wave Pool at Thrill Waterpark is wheelchair accessible.
- Chill Island, South Beach, Harbor Beach and the Oasis Lagoon pool are all in your fare.
- No vendors, no haggling, no taxis. A full beach-and-pool day here costs nothing extra, which is rare.
The honest part
There are no beach mats anywhere on the island. A beach wheelchair pushes hard through soft sand even with a light passenger, and there's no designated place to leave your own chair while you use a beach one. By cruise standards this is a genuinely accessible island, and it still has real gaps that matter on the day.
What costs extra, and what has stairs
Thrill Waterpark, Coco Beach Club and Hideaway Beach all cost extra. The waterslide towers and the zip line tower involve stairs. None of that is a problem as long as you know before you're standing at the bottom of one.
The low-effort version of this port
Tram from the pier, settle at Chill Island or Harbor Beach, use a beach wheelchair if you want the water, and let the tram bring you back. It is the closest thing to a rest day that a port day gets.
Check with your cruise line
- This is a Royal Caribbean island, so it only appears on their itineraries. Other lines have their own private destinations with different facilities — ask yours what's available.
- Ask how the pier pickup works on your sailing and whether anything needs requesting in advance.
- Ask whether beach wheelchairs can be reserved or are strictly first come, first served on the day.
- Mention your mobility needs on the accessibility form before you sail. The Accommodations Guide covers which form and by when.
Questions people actually ask
Is Perfect Day at CocoCay wheelchair accessible?
It is among the most accessible ports in the Caribbean: paved pathways and ramps, free beach wheelchairs, and pool lifts at Oasis Lagoon and Coco Beach Club.
Are beach wheelchairs free at CocoCay?
Yes, they are free and first come, first served. Ask any crew member to locate one.
Is there still a tram at the CocoCay pier?
Royal Caribbean discontinued the general pier tram on 1 October 2024. Pickup at the pier end is now reserved for guests with wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility needs. The island tram still runs for everyone.
Before the ports, there's the paperwork
The free Accommodations Guide covers what every major cruise line can arrange, how to ask, and the deadlines nobody warns you about. Add your sail date and we'll time the reminders to it.
The sail date is optional — we only use it to time your reminders. Unsubscribe anytime.
Where this comes from
- Royal Caribbean — guest special needs and accessibility
- Firsthand observation on recent sailings, with the date noted above.
- How we check things — our method, and what "last checked" means.
Last checked 22 September 2026.
Ports change. This reflects publicly available information and recent sailings, and it is not a guarantee for yours — always confirm with your cruise line. Found something different on your visit? Tell us and we'll correct the page.