Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is relatively subtle compared to the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. But when this Merc decides to bust a move and start bouncing, it’s guaranteed to turn more heads and provoke more chuckles than that unforgettable Delta Lloyd’s insurance ad from the ’90s, “Booming Car – You Can Win If You Want”.

You see, much like the 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GLS 600 from Maybach is equipped with an E-Active Body Control system. This system uses the SUV’s 48-volt electrical system and Airmatic air suspension and includes a mode that allows it to bounce up and down. Mercedes calls this ‘Free Driving Mode’ and it was originally designed to help free the SUV should it ever get stuck in deep sand.

For as cool as the system is, Mercedes-Benz dropped it from the GLE in 2021 due to low take rates and only offers it on the GLS 580 and GLS 600. Owners of these two models are very unlikely to ever take their luxurious SUVs off-roading. However, this hasn’t stopped some of them from putting the system to good use.

Read: 2024 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic Is A Chrome-Clad Rolls-Royce Rival

Recently, a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 was filmed cruising through Monaco with the Free Driving Mode activated. The SUV immediately drew quite a big crowd as it bounced up and down while sitting in traffic. It also caught the eye of a local police officer who apparently told the driver to stop the bouncing but soon after, he reactivated the system, much to the enjoyment of onlookers and car spotters.

There’s plenty to like about the GLS 600, not just its trick suspension. Fitted under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 550 hp and 538 lb-ft (729 Nm) of torque. The SUV also features an EQ Boost starter generator that adds an extra 21 hp and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque, enough to propel the GLS 600 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in an impressive 4.8 seconds.

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The Points Guy 

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

World of Hyatt offers some valuable elite benefits, especially if you can snag top-tier Globalist status. But, you’ll often only get elite earnings and benefits when you book an eligible rate — which usually involves booking directly with World of Hyatt or one of its participating properties.

In this guide, I’ll consider the value of elite status when you book directly with hotels participating in the World of Hyatt program.

What value does World of Hyatt elite status provide?

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa in Hawaii. HYATT

As with most hotel elite status tiers, World of Hyatt elite status provides benefits in two primary areas: earnings and on-site perks. It isn’t easy to estimate how much value you’ll get from on-site perks, but we estimate the value of World of Hyatt elite status as follows if you spend an average of $150 per night on eligible purchases:

Discoverist status: $14 per night
Explorist status: $28 per night
Globalist status: $69 per night

At first glance, you may not agree with our valuations. But let’s consider the valuation of Globalist status at about $69 per night. Perks such as space-available upgrades up to standard suites, complimentary breakfast or club lounge access, waived resort fees, 4 p.m. late checkout and Guest of Honor benefits when gifting award nights can undoubtedly provide $69 per night of value on average to some Hyatt loyalists.

Hyatt Globalist status usually won’t provide me $69 per night of value at a Hyatt Place. But when staying at higher-end brands that offer club lounges or typically charge resort fees, I may get much more than $69 per night from my status. This is especially true in expensive destinations where complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails in the lounge can provide significant value.

Value of points earned

It’s worth considering how much the Hyatt points you’ll earn will be worth if you book a qualifying rate directly. Hyatt members without elite status earn 5 points per dollar, Discoverist members earn 5.5 points per dollar, Explorist members earn 6 points per dollar and Globalist members earn 6.5 points per dollar.

Based on TPG’s valuations, Hyatt points are worth about 1.7 cents each. This means that on $100 of qualifying expenses, an Explorist member would earn 600 points worth $10, and a Globalist member would earn 650 points worth $11. So, consider the value of the points you’ll earn when deciding how to book your stay, even if you don’t care about other elite status perks or earning toward status.

Related: 5 easy ways to qualify for Hyatt Globalist status

Which stays qualify?

A room at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront in Florida. HYATT

You must book an eligible rate to earn Hyatt points on your stay. The World of Hyatt terms and conditions define an eligible rate as:

Any room rate for a participating hotel, resort, or other property that is published by Hyatt (including rates found on hyatt.com without the application of a discount code, and Hyatt’s “Standard Rate,” “Volume Account Rates,” “Senior Citizen Rate,” Hyatt Privé rate, and the monetary portion of any Points + Cash Award (as defined in Appendix B), and – for stays with a checkout date on or after January 1, 2023 – Hyatt friends-and-family discount rates, but excluding rates published by ALG Vacations (defined below) unless Hyatt expressly indicates otherwise) or, for Miraval properties, published by Miraval.

The terms and conditions provide an entire list of ineligible rates. However, not all third-party and travel agent bookings are ineligible. The terms and conditions specifically state: “If you are booking through a travel agent or other third party and do not know if you are booking an Eligible Rate, please ask your travel agent or the third party about the type of booking (s)he is making for you and type of rate to be paid.”

You can earn points on eligible incidental charges made to your room or guest folio even if you are staying on a rate that isn’t eligible to earn points. But you’ll only accrue tier-qualifying nights and get in-hotel benefits when you book an eligible rate or redeem a free night award (including redeeming Hyatt points).

Related: How to get top-tier Hyatt Globalist status for life

How to earn Hyatt elite status

The Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa in Florida. HYATT

If you meet the following requirements during a calendar year, you’ll earn Hyatt elite status through the end of February in the second calendar year after you qualify:

Discoverist status: 10 nights, 25,000 base points or three meetings and events
Explorist status: 30 nights, 50,000 base points or 10 meetings and events
Globalist status: 60 nights, 100,000 base points or 20 meetings and events

You can also get Hyatt elite status as a benefit of the following credit cards:

World of Hyatt Credit Card: Enjoy complimentary Discoverist status and get five qualifying night credits each year with your card. Plus, earn two additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card in a calendar year.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Get complimentary Dicoverist status (and the ability to gift Discoverist status to up to five employees) with your card. Plus, earn five additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $10,000 on your card in a calendar year.

American Airlines AAdvantage elite members are also occasionally targeted for World of Hyatt status challenges. Additionally, Bilt members enjoyed the chance to enroll in a Hyatt status trial and challenge in early 2023 as part of a Bilt Rent Day promotion.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Hyatt’s hotel brands

Bottom line

You must book directly with most hotel loyalty programs if you want elite earnings and benefits. So, if you’re comparing prices and deciding how to book your stay, consider that you likely won’t get elite benefits and earnings if you don’t book directly. In the case of World of Hyatt, you’ll give up earning points on your room rate, accruing tier-qualifying nights and enjoying on-site member perks if you book an ineligible rate.

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Carscoops 

Both the new and used vehicle markets are shattering records, but unfortunately, it’s the kind of record-breaking that’s causing headaches for buyers. While there have been some small improvements recently, overall, prices have soared to historic highs, leaving buyers with significantly lighter wallets than they anticipated. To add to the financial burden, high loan rates are a prevalent concern, making car financing a daunting task for many potential buyers.

Data gathered by Edmunds relating to third-quarter transactions shows that average monthly payments for new vehicles reached an all-time peak of $736, up from $733 in the second quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the proportion of the market with a monthly car payment of more than $1,000 reached an all-time high of 17.5 percent. That’s an increase of 0.4 percentage points over Q2 2023.

New Car Finance Data

Even in the used market, consumers are facing pressure. Whereas the average down payment in Q2 was $4,107, it reached a new record of $4,111 in the third quarter of this year. The only shred of good news was that the average amount financed across new and used vehicles fell slightly, by $207 and $337, respectively.

Despite that, the average annual percentage rate (APR) for both new and used vehicles continued to rise. For new vehicles, the figure rose to 7.4 percent, and for used vehicles it jumped two percentage points, to 11.2 percent. The last time we saw APRs that high was in the second quarter of 2007, on the eve of the Great Recession.

Read: You’re Now Paying An Average Of $533 Per Month For A Used Car – And That’s A Risk For Everyone

“Spiked interest rates remain the biggest impediment to affordability in both the new and used car markets today,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds‘ head of insights. “And while the Federal Reserve held off on raising the federal funds rate in their most recent session, the expectation is rates will remain high or even increase slightly through the end of the year, which may help tame inflation in the long run but is inflating monthly payments for now.”

Used Car Finance Data

While consumers face higher and higher APRs, zero-percent financing is almost non-existent. Whereas 24.2 percent of all sales included zero-percent financing in Q2 2022, just 1.1 percent of transactions featured the attractive rate in Q3 2023.

“Zero-percent financing commercials might still be airing to draw shopper attention, but the reality is those deals are all but gone for the average car shopper,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds’ director of insights. “The largest segment of consumers financing a new car today has a 7.9% APR. That’s a far cry from those spring 2020 pandemic deals of 0% financing for 84 months that drove significant sales of large trucks and SUVs.”

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Carscoops 

One of the coolest features on a BMW from the 1980s or 1990s isn’t in the engine bay, but the trunk. I’m talking about the tool kits that were packed into a tray attached to the underside of the trunk lid.

Lower-spec cars came with a small tray and a handful of tools, like a screwdriver, a couple of wrenches and a pair of grips, but expensive models like the M5 got a much more comprehensive kit, and any time you went to buy a used BMW, dropping that lid to find out how many of those original tools were still left was always one of the most exciting moments.

By the time they reached me, a good 15 or 20 years after leaving the factory, all of the BMWs I’d ever owned were missing at least one piece, but even if they had been complete I’d still have taken my own tools along for every ride. Old cars tend to need fettling and they’re often not considerate enough to wait until you get home before letting you know, so I’d usually have a comprehensive socket set, a dozen screwdrivers of different sizes, a pair of coveralls and maybe even a small trolley jack stashed in the back. Sounds like overkill, but they saved the day multiple times.

Related: A Dirty Tool Has Led To A Roll-Away Risk For Some Hondas And Acuras

But times have changed. BMW hasn’t fitted a tool kit to North American cars for years, which helps it save on weight and cost. And I seem to have become less pessimistic about reliability and now leave all of my tools in the garage. Maybe that’s because these days my daily is brand new, and not vintage BMW, and that the old-timer it shares driveway space is a bulletproof, fuel-injected Honda, not a crusty old 1960s carb-fed Mini or Fiat with points ignition.

But one day I’m sure I’ll regret it because there’s nothing more annoying than be able to identify a fault, but knowing you can’t perform the easy repair because you don’t have the simple $2 tool that would allow you to get back on the road. I’ll probably need a code reader more than I’d need my trusty ratchet, though.

Do you carry tools in your car, and if so, what are the pieces you wouldn’t leave home without? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Images: Snap On, Collecting Cars

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Carscoops 

Mazda has some big plans for the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) including the unveiling of a new MX-5 concept. While we’ve surmised that it might be an electric version, a Mazda executive just gave us a lot more info about the future of the production model. The long and the short is that the MX-5 is going electric but not likely anytime soon.

Speaking to Top Gear, powertrain development boss Kato Matsue laid out some of the discussions that the team is having internally. They released the teaser you see above featuring whatever it is that is coming to the JMS (formerly the Tokyo Motor Show) that is said to symbolize “the future created by the love of cars.”

Mazda’s teaser of the concept for the Japan Mobility Show

While specific details about the JMS study remain scarce, the teaser is a precise match to the Mazda Vision Concept that was showcased in digital form only through a video last year during the brand’s presentation of its medium-term electrifying strategy for 2030.

When asked specifically about the seeming inevitability of an electric MX-5, Matsue said “That’s a possibility. The MX-5’s main markets are the United States, Europe, and Japan. Japan is a bit behind, but the market demand is changing towards electrification. So we need to think about that.”

More: What The Next Gen Mazda MX-5 Miata Could Look Like And Everything Else We Know

The Mazda Vision Concept from 2022

That might sound like just about every other automotive executive talking about the future but Matsue also hinted that the team may not have a solid timeline just yet. “By 2030 all our products will have some electrification. So that means the sports car is not outside of that scope. But I can’t say exactly when we’ll introduce a battery on the MX-5 at this moment,” he said.

The big thing holding the team back appears to be the one big problem that many EVs have: weight. “Thinking about our development duration [until 2030], seven years is a short time,” says Matsue. “I don’t expect power density to become two or three times [better] compared to the current power density. Of course, I expect better, but I don’t think that will happen.”

Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

Finally, he confirmed something we’re sure many hoped Mazda would commit to, an electrified MX-5 that would remain light. “We don’t want to have a very heavy MX-5. So if the MX-5 is 1.5 tonnes (3,306 lbs) of peak weight, that is not the MX-5,” he noted.

His final comments centered around how the MX-5 has to lead the brand: “What I can say is the MX-5 is our symbol. If the MX-5 becomes a battery EV, that battery EV should have very special characteristics, Jinba Ittai feeling, human-centric of our basic concept philosophies. That’s our hope.”

There’s a lot of space out there for a lightweight EV sports car that doesn’t compromise nimbleness in the name of range. Perhaps Mazda will go that route if energy density isn’t improved enough by 2030. It was certainly willing to sell the MX-30 with an incredibly limited range so there’s precedent for it.

Note: The lead image is an illustration and is not endorsed or related to Mazda.

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Well+Good 

Have you ever felt hurt by something your friend did and never brought it up, had a blow-up with a friend that got swept under the rug instead of fully processed, or slowly faded away from a friendship instead of talking things through? Many of us don’t have a ton of tools for working through a fight with a friend to create healthier, more sustainable relationships.

“In most friendships, there’s no agreement that working through challenges is part of the deal,” says Ali Miller, MFT, a therapist who uses nonviolent communication principles in her work. She points out the general expectation that romantic and family relationships will face challenges, but friendships are supposed to be easy. “When challenges arise in a friendship, we’re caught off guard and don’t have a model for how to navigate the conflict in a productive and connecting way.”

Psychologist Roxy Manning, PhD, a nonviolent communication consultant and author of the book How to Have Antiracist Conversations, sees conflict as an essential part of healthy human interactions. In other words, if you never fight with your friends, that may not be such a good thing, after all. It could mean you and your friends are repressing feelings, pushing aside needs, or avoiding direct communication.

“Conflict just means that I’ve got some needs that are really important to me that I’d like to have met, and you have some needs that are important to you that you’d like to have met…[and we need to find] strategies to meet those needs that work for both of us,” says Dr. Manning.

This is the crux of nonviolent communication (NVC). As the healer and facilitator who goes by Meenadchi shares in their book Decolonizing Nonviolent Communication: “We all share a universal set of life-affirming needs.” Those needs include things like belonging, self-expression, play, food, consideration, and love. “Everything people say and do is an attempt to get their needs met,” says chiropractor Terrie Lewine, DC, communication coach and NVC practitioner. “But we sometimes have tragic ways of meeting our needs.”

3 things to never do in a fight with a friend, according to nonviolent communication experts

1. Fall into a courtroom mentality

If you’re in a fight with a friend, most of your energy is probably going toward proving how right you are and how wrong your friend is. “It can feel like you’re in a courtroom and you have to win the trial with a strong defense,” Miller explains. “The courtroom mentality of trying to figure out who’s right and who’s wrong, who’s good and who’s bad, destroys relationships.”

Ditching the courtroom mentality means giving up blame that anyone did anything wrong. “I don’t think you can literally ever get out of conflict unless you drop out of blame,” Dr. Lewine says. It’s not about who’s right or who’s wrong. It’s about figuring out what both of your needs are, and how to meet them.

“We think what we want is to be right, when the reality is what we most deeply want is to love and be loved, to care and feel cared for,” Miller says.

2. Go with your first reaction

“Just don’t,” Dr. Manning says with a laugh. When things are first brought up, both people are likely stimulated and unable to hear each other. When you pause and slow down, you can get more grounded and more easily actively listen to each other.

3. Use static language

Static language is absolute instead of dynamic, and we use it all the time in our daily lives—especially in conflict. “That’s where you get into ‘he is, she is, it is,’” Dr. Lewine says. We may use static language like “you left me out” or “you’re inconsiderate,” instead of saying “I feel hurt.”

Feelings-oriented language can feel more vulnerable. But it’s ultimately much more honest and conducive to healthy conflict than static language, which can automatically put your friend on the defensive.

What to do in a fight with a friend, according to nonviolent communication experts

1. Distinguish the need itself from the strategy to meet the need

“In order to get our life-affirming needs met, we employ a variety of strategies,” Meenadchi writes in Decolonizing Nonviolent Communication. “Conflict does not occur at the level of needs. It occurs at the level of strategy.”

Distinguishing needs from the ways we try to get needs met can be a collaborative process. Dr. Lewine points out that we often confuse the two; we may think our need is for our friend to take us to the airport, and while we do need a ride, the deeper need is to matter to our friend.

When we understand that, a whole slew of new possibilities are opened up. What other ways could your friend show you that you matter to them, while also meeting their own needs? Maybe planning quality time for when you return or a FaceTime while you’re away could work for both of you.

When we’re not hyperfocused on defensiveness and blame, we can try to understand the needs underneath our friend’s behaviors—and our own—so we can come up with better ways to meet each other’s needs. Invitations to share more of their feelings and needs, like “what were you hoping for when you did XYZ?” and “tell me more” can be helpful places to start.

2. Separate what *actually* happened from the meaning you’re making of what happened

“This is really essential,” Dr. Manning says. “There’s what the person actually said or did, and then there’s what you heard.” We do this meaning-making all the time: A friend doesn’t offer to split the Uber and we hear that they don’t care about our financial stress. A friend says they can’t talk right now, and we tell ourselves we’re bothering them. A friend looks at their phone when we’re talking, and we hear that we’re not important to them.

There’s a big distinction between what happened and the story we tell ourselves about what happened, and it’s critical to get clear on those two things. In a fight with a friend, we tend to lean heavily on the interpretation (“you ignored me!”) instead of the facts (“you looked at your phone when I was trying to talk to you.”)

Try to do the opposite, and share observations instead of interpretations. When you want to share an interpretation, make it clear that’s what you’re doing with language like “I took that as” or “the story I told myself when you looked at your phone was….” If you’re struggling to hear each other in a fight, Dr. Manning recommends using the question “what did you hear me say?” to separate the extra layer of meaning from what was said.

3. Take responsibility for your feelings

Instead of saying, “I felt this way because you did that,” express your own feelings and needs. “Your friend doesn’t have to get defensive because you’re not saying ‘I felt this because you did this to me.’ You’re saying, this is what happened and this is what came up for me, this is how I felt,” Dr. Manning says.

When we drop the courtroom mentality and let go of the need to blame our friend, we can own our feelings, needs, and sensitive spots without making our friend bad or wrong.

4. Go for the “both and” instead of the “either or”

Binary thinking is part of so many systems we’ve been given, which is part of why we default to making each other good or bad. “We can’t see the gray. Maybe you were trying to support another friend when you interrupted me, and that was hard for me at the same time that there was beauty in what you were trying to do,” Dr. Manning says. “Both things can be true. I can still honor and celebrate how much you care about all our friends being heard, and share how hard it is for me when I’m interrupted. Being able to go for the ‘both and’ rather than the ‘either or’ is essential.”

5. Express your needs

It can be hard to understand what our needs are in the first place during a fight with a friend, so slowing things down and taking time to introspect before bringing things up to your friend is key. If you’re the friend an issue is being brought up to, it could be helpful to just listen at first, then take some time to think about what your needs are before responding.

“Conflict is what happens when our needs aren’t met and we don’t have the skills to talk about our needs (and related feelings) in connecting and productive ways,” Miller says. “When a friend, for example, says or does something we don’t like and we get mad, hurt, or upset, the default mode for most of us is either fight (blame, judge, argue) or flight (withdraw, keep your feelings inside, or stay but pretend you’re not upset).” Slowing things down and expressing needs can break the default cycle.

6. Embrace empathy

“You can listen in a way that creates deeper empathy and connection and gives your friend the experience of being seen, heard, and understood, even when you disagree with what they’re saying,” Miller says. Try to connect to the needs of the human in front of you, no matter how mean or complaining they may sound.

“What’s the precious thing they’re trying to get you to hear?” Dr. Lewine says. “You can ask, ‘what’s alive in you?’ or ‘why are you upset?’ to try to get down to the need itself.”

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The Points Guy 

These days, wireless headphones have become a staple item on my packing list (and likely yours, too).

Being able to effortlessly listen to music, catch up on a podcast or finish a call makes me a more efficient traveler. No longer do I need to worry about cords getting tangled in my bag or forgetting to pack the right audio adapter.

Just pop on the headphones and viola … except when you’re on an airplane.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Many airlines offer seatback screens, but just a handful support the ability to wirelessly pair your headphones to the entertainment system. This is a feature that I’ve been waiting for years to see, especially as wireless headphones have soared in popularity.

Well, there’s some good news on that front: United Airlines announced on Thursday that more than 100 planes already sport this feature, and it’ll become available on more than 800 jets by 2032.

Bluetooth connectivity has become increasingly important to travelers, many of whom now travel with their own devices.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

United and Apple hosted a media event in San Francisco on Thursday to provide an update on Bluetooth connectivity and much more.

Timed to coincide with the recent launch of Apple’s new second-generation AirPods Pro, United highlighted its new capabilities by showing how Apple’s AirPods Pro worked with its new in-flight set-up. Personally, I swear by the AirPods Pro — but here’s everything else you need to know from Thursday’s event.

Connecting your headphones to United TVs

Every new and retrofitted United mainline domestic jet now features seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity. While this feature initially launched in beta, it’s now ready for prime time, according to Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer.

You’ll find Bluetooth-enabled screens on the following jets: all Boeing 737 MAX 8s, some Boeing 737 MAX 9s, some Boeing 737-737-800s, some 737-900s, some Airbus A319s and some Airbus A320s.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

During Thursday’s media event, United and Apple demoed the Bluetooth connectivity on a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 9 parked in one of its hangars at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

There, Birnbaum welcomed a crowd of journalists and social media influencers before ushering the crowd onto the waiting jet to experience the feature firsthand.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Connecting your headphones to the TVs couldn’t be simpler. Birnbaum said that during the beta period, United was focused on streamlining the customer experience, and that’s exactly what the airline has done.

You’ll find a Bluetooth logo at the bottom right of the home screen, and clicking it reveals the Bluetooth audio panel. Simply flip the switch to “on” and search for your device.

It should take just seconds after enabling pairing mode on your headphones for them to show up on the screen. Once they do, just tap your device, and you’re set. Even without the guidance of United employees, it took me only seconds to get my AirPods set up.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Once connected, you’ll be able to wirelessly listen to any of the seatback entertainment content. Whether you prefer zoning out to relax mode or are trying to catch up on some new releases, you don’t need to pack a dongle or wired headphones when flying on many United jets.

United ‘Next’ interior continues to shine

While United’s announcement centered on tech upgrades, every new and recently retrofitted United mainline narrow-body jet features the so-called “Next” cabins. This is United’s new signature interior, which offers more than just crisp high-definition seatback screens.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

On the Boeing 737 MAX 9 that I toured, I got to sit in one of the 20 new first-class recliners, which feature about 37 inches of pitch, larger tray tables and additional storage.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Meanwhile, the economy cabin is configured in a 3-3 arrangement with 48 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats and 111 standard economy seats; they offer about 33 and 30 inches of pitch, respectively.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

The new cabins also feature larger overhead bins that support the side-loading of rollaboard bags. If everyone correctly stores their bags — a big if — then most travelers will no longer need to worry about gate-checking their bags.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Other tech upgrades that were on display include universal power outlets at each seat, along with USB charging ports.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

United’s Next plan also includes upgraded Wi-Fi systems. On the Boeing 737 MAX fleet, your internet access will be provided by Viasat, one of the best satellite internet providers available in commercial aviation.

Bottom line

United’s new planes sport a slew of upgrades, but perhaps none is as exciting as Bluetooth connectivity. The ability to wirelessly pair your headphones to the seatback entertainment system is a game-changer for travelers.

United isn’t alone in entering the 21st century. Delta already has a handful of Bluetooth-enabled jets, and American Airlines promises to offer Bluetooth connectivity on upcoming new deliveries.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Rumor has it that JetBlue is also considering adding Bluetooth support to its jets.

But for now, the spotlight is on United since it offers the most Bluetooth-enabled jets in the U.S., and that number is set to grow to a staggering 800 planes by 2032.

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Carscoops 

We had the opportunity to take an up-close look at the Smart #1 Brabus, which made its official debut in right-hand-drive form at the International Electric Mobility Showcase 2023 in Kuala Lumpur.

In the metal, the new hotted-up collaboration between Brabus and Smart is eye-catching, to say the least, but that’s mostly down to the launch car’s two-tone treatment, combining a matte grey body with a Laser Red roof and black accents. But aside from the snazzy color scheme, the Brabus #1 is, by all accounts, fairly restrained – at least, in comparison to the tuning house’s previous body of work.

The main visual differentiator between the Brabus edition and the standard Smart #1 is a subtle body kit, which adds front air curtains, two extra intakes above the grille, a deeper rear bumper, and a discrete roof spoiler.

Related: 2023 Smart #1 Brabus Packs A 422 HP Punch Despite Subtle Looks

Also of note are the dramatic 19-inch diameter two-tone silver and black wheels. Sporting 235/45R19 Dunlop Sportmaxx tires, you’d think this may be one key differentiator between the standard #1 and the Brabus. But, alas, these are exactly the same tire specs found on the base model. At least they sit in front of suitably color-coordinated red brake calipers.

Powering the Smart #1 Brabus are two electric motors, one on each axle, making it all-wheel drive. Combined, the #1 Brabus puts out an impressive 422 hp (315 kW) and 543 Nm (400 lb-ft) of torque. That’s 150 hp (115 kW) and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) more than the #1 Premium. Smart says that the #1 Brabus will get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h).

Battery configuration on the Brabus edition follows what is found in the #1 Premium, featuring a 66 kWh battery pack. With the added load of a second motor versus the rear-motor rear-wheel-drive Premium, the Brabus’ range drops from 440 km (273 miles) to 400 km (248 miles) on the WLTP cycle, which can be considered impressive considering the boost in power the Brabus holds over the standard car. Charging performance stays the same, with the ability to harness a DC charging rate of up to 150 kW.

See Also: Brabus 600 Is A Range Rover P530 With A Pistachio Green Interior

Inside the Brabus #1, there’s a notable jump in the quality of the interior materials, but much like the exterior – bar the different colors – you’d be hard-pressed to notice any fundamental changes. That’s no bad thing, considering the #1 is a decent cabin to begin with. But apart from the red seat belts, embroidered headrest, and sporty pedals, there’s not much left to differentiate. The main highlights are the Alcantara-covered seats and steering wheel rim. But even here, both appear to be the same fundamental designs offered on the lower-spec cars, just with different materials and badging.

So while the Smart Brabus #1 does feature a smattering of sporting cues, the main event is still centered around the extra motor that lies between the front wheels. How the added power and agility offered by the uprated drivetrain translates on the road is something we’re keen to find out, hopefully sometime in the near future.

For now, is the Smart Brabus #1 deserving of the fabled tuning-houses graces? Or would you have liked to see a bit more pizzazz from this long-standing collaboration? Or, perhaps the sleeper approach is one that has its own appeal altogether. Let us know in the comments below!

Photos: Sam D. Smith / CarScoops, Thanks to Thoriq Azmi

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The Points Guy 

What’s your perfect day in port on a cruise? For some cruisers, it’s relaxing on the beach, umbrella drink in hand. For others, it’s all the water sports. Your kids might vote for an epic amusement park, while young professionals might be looking to let loose and party.

Royal Caribbean‘s private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, aims to create the ideal vacation day for nearly everyone with its plethora of attractions. It features multiple beaches, a giant pool, water play areas and thrill rides for kids and adults of all ages. Plus, there’s plenty of dining areas and bars to keep you fueled up for all the fun.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

A visit to the island can seem overwhelming at first. Which beach do you choose — or should you head straight for the pool? Should you book an excursion, or is there no need? Can you enjoy the island without paying extra or do you need to cough up hundreds of dollars to have fun?

In this guide, I’ll take you on a comprehensive tour, so you can get a better sense of how to plan your perfect day the next time you visit Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day.

Note: Prices for activities and rentals can vary based on sail date and whether they’re booked pre-cruise, on board or on shore.

Where is Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is located in the Bahamas. It’s part of the Berry Islands, northwest of Nassau and southeast of Freeport, both popular cruise ports in the Bahamas. It’s roughly 140 miles east of Miami.

The island sits just to the west of Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line‘s private island, and you’ll be able to see that island and visiting NCL ships from Perfect Day. 

The island is smaller than 1 mile long and 1/3 mile wide.

Related: Bahamas cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Which cruise ships go there?

Independence and Freedom of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Nearly every Royal Caribbean ship in the fleet will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay at some point, either during a season of Caribbean or Bahamas cruises or during a repositioning voyage from one cruise destination to another.

It’s easier to list the ships that won’t be visiting the island. Through April 2025, ships that won’t ever dock at Royal Caribbean’s private island include:

Brilliance of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas

It used to be that only Royal Caribbean ships regularly called at Perfect Day, but now sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises is getting into the action. Beginning in April 2024, Celebrity Reflection will sail three- and four-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale that will visit the private island. Other Celebrity ships that will call on the island a handful of times in 2024 and 2025 include:

Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Equinox

How do you get to and around Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Perfect Day at CocoCay map and signage. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Two cruise ships at a time can dock at the long pier jutting out from Perfect Day at CocoCay. Passengers can walk off the ship via the gangway instead of taking a tender boat, as they might have to on other cruise lines’ private islands.

Once on the island, pathways lead to the various beaches and attractions. It’s not actually that far to get anywhere around the island, but when the Bahamian sun is beating down on you, it can feel a lot longer. According to the map, it’s 14 minutes from the arrivals plaza to the farthest beach, Cove Beach. But you can have your feet in the sand within three minutes of stepping foot on the island.

For those who can’t or don’t want to walk the long pier from the ship to the island and from the arrivals plaza to the beach, Royal Caribbean runs a fleet of electric trams that run every 15 minutes. Stops include Thrill Waterpark, South Beach, Coco Beach Club, Oasis Lagoon, Chill Island and Up, Up and Away. Wait at the tram stations for a pickup.

Related: A guide to cruise line private islands: What they are and what you can expect

What are the Perfect Day beaches?

Lounge chairs on Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Perfect Day at CocoCay has six beaches and the Coco Beach Club. It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to go first when you step foot on the island. But you really can’t go wrong — and if you do, just get up and go somewhere else!

The beaches have different vibes, and some are closer to or farther from the arrivals plaza or other amenities such as dining and beach sports. Let that combination decide your first destination. All have complimentary lounge chairs with beach umbrellas (so nice not to have to pay for shade!) and lifeguards.

CocoCay’s seven beaches are:

Chill Island

Chill Island on Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

The closest main beach on Perfect Day is Chill Island, a 5- to 10-minute walk from the arrivals plaza. Here you’ll find two big and one small sheltered bays with calm water. One end has daybeds and the other cabanas to rent, and in the middle are the open-to-all lounge chairs. In the middle is the Island Market for shopping and the Chill Grill, one of the two main complimentary barbecue lunch venues on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Breezy Bay at Chill Island

Beyond the rocky breakwaters of Chill Island is Breezy Bay at Chill Island, a smaller, less protected beach. The shore excursions and kayak rental huts are at the corner where the two beaches meet, and your jet ski tours will depart from this beach, as well. Daybeds are available to rent.

There’s a Snack Shack between Breezy Bay and the Oasis Lagoon pool, but otherwise you’re not so close to food on this beach.

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Harbor Beach surrounds the Harbor Lagoon, the calmest waters on the island as the lagoon only has one narrow outlet to the sea. This beach is ideal for families with young kids as it’s close to both main lunch spots, the Splashaway Bay water play area and the Oasis Lagoon pool. And it’s not far from the ship.

Seaside Point

Wedding venue at Seaside Point. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

This tiny beach area on the other side of the bridge from the arrivals plaza is Perfect Day’s event venue. Weddings are held here, and you can rent out the area for other private functions as well. There’s no swimming outlet here, so you’ll need to make the short trek to Chill Beach to get wet.

Coco Beach Club

If your idea of a perfect day is living the VIP lifestyle, you’ll want to buy access to Perfect Day at CocoCay’s exclusive Coco Beach Club. Your pass gets you access to the private beach, infinity pool and upscale beachside restaurant and bar.

Pricing for a Coco Beach Club day pass can vary wildly. Folks online say they’re a deal at $89 per person but can run more than $200 per person. Keep an eye out for sales. Cabanas and daybeds in the beach club cost extra, but the price to rent one includes the day pass.

South Beach

Coconut Willie’s Bar on South Beach. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

South Beach, like its namesake, is the party beach, mainly due to the floating bar just offshore and the sports courts behind. You will be dared to jump off the bar’s platform with your beer or “chug, chug, chug” with your friends. Once you get here, via tram or nature trail, everything is at your fingertips. There’s a Snack Shack for lunch, Coconut Willie’s bar if you prefer not to swim to your cocktail, bathrooms, rentals and the aforementioned sports areas.

Cove Beach

Past the exclusive-access cabana and daybed area of South Beach is Cove Beach, the farthest stretch of sand from the ship. No roads lead here; you have to hoof it down the beach from the South Beach tram stop.

What are the best Perfect Day at CocoCay things to do?

If you don’t love the feeling of sand between your toes, you’ve got plenty of other ways to keep busy and get wet on Perfect Day at CocoCay. After all, not everyone’s ideal day out looks the same.

The one thing that some other private islands have, but Perfect Day does not, is a spa.

Thrill Waterpark

Thrill Waterpark. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

The first thing you will notice about Royal Caribbean’s private island, including from the ship, is its giant multicolored waterslide tower rising above the tree line. This iconic landmark is the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak (the tallest waterslide in North America, according to the line) and it’s the signature attraction at Thrill Waterpark.

The park, accessed just off the arrivals plaza, is not included in your cruise fare and you will need to purchase entry via the shore excursions desk on your ship (or online before your cruise). Once you’re paid up, just scan your SeaPass card for entry.

The thrill zone is divided into several sections. You’ll find a wave pool, an Adventure Pool with watery obstacle courses, Daredevil’s Peak with its seven slides (including drop slides, a nearly vertical slide and racing slides) and Splash Summit, the more family-focused slide area. Here, you can try a one- or two-person raft slide, a four-person raft slide that races up a wall before splashing back down and four-way racing slides.

You must be a minimum of 48 inches tall to ride most Devil’s Tower waterslides (40 inches for the twin racing slides). The minimum height for the Splash Summit slides is 42 inches, though for the raft slides, you must be 48 inches to ride without a life jacket or adult supervision. Prepare to step on a scale before being allowed to climb the stairs up the slide towers.

Amenities in the water park include plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas for rent, lockers, a Snack Shack and a bar to give mom and dad some liquid courage.

Note: There’s little natural shade in this area, and it can get hot walking between the slides or from the splashdown pool back up to the top of the slide to ride again. For maximum enjoyment, visit the water park first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon when the lines have died down. No one wants to wait 45 minutes in the hot sun for a ride.

Zip line

Cruisers looking for some high-flying adventure with excellent island views can sign up to ride Perfect Day at CocoCay’s zip line (for a fee). The 1,600-foot course has three segments that go over the Thrill Waterpark and the Harbor Lagoon.

You’ll need to purchase zip line access as you would any shore excursion, and then check in on the island near the Thrill Waterpark entrance. Lockers are available to store your valuables while you ride. You must be at least 4 feet tall and between 75 and 275 pounds to ride.

Perfect Day at CocoCay zip line. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Captain Jill’s Galleon and Splashaway Bay

Little kids have their own water play spaces on Perfect Day at CocoCay, and unlike the main water park, they’re free to use.

Captain Jill’s Galleon is a pirate ship-shaped play structure with slides, water cannons and fountains. It’s perfect for the littlest cruisers, but grownups can enjoy the views from the top.

Splashaway Bay on the island is similar to the onboard versions with a climbing structure, water sprayers, dump bucket and tame waterslides for younger visitors. Get there early if you want to snag a seat in the shade.

Children in swim diapers are allowed in all pools, beaches and water play areas on the island.

Oasis Lagoon

Tired of the beach? Perfect Day at CocoCay also has a huge pool called the Oasis Lagoon for those who prefer a more chlorinated, less wavy dip.

Families tend to stick to the far end of the pool with its sloping entry and gentle fountains. The party crowd gathers around the swim-up bar and its blaring DJ beats. (Seriously, it’s the spring break I never had, and a mecca for all the bachelor, bachelorette and birthday groups.) Wandering bartenders will sell you crazy cocktails in souvenir glasses, so you won’t go thirsty when you climb out of the pool to dry off.

A nice hybrid area is the section of pool on the other side of the bridge, where you can hear the music but aren’t in the bar fray.

The pool has numerous little nooks where you can find in-the-water seats and tables for your drinks or undulating loungers in the shallows. The pool is surrounded by plenty of loungers, rinse-off showers, bathrooms, racks of swim vests and rental cabanas.

The closest lunch options to the pool are the Breezy Bay Snack Shack and Skipper’s Grill.

Swim-up bar at the Oasis Lagoon. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Up, Up and Away balloon ride

I’ve visited Perfect Day at CocoCay twice, and I’ve never seen the Up, Up and Away tethered balloon ride in action. A spokesperson for the line tells me it “is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice.”

The colorful helium balloon can be seen around the island, and when it’s operational, guests can book 10-minute rides to soar 450 feet into the air. The balloon is tethered, so you only go up and down rather than circling the island.

Oasis Lagoon at Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Beach rentals

You can rent floating mats from three stations, one on South Beach and two on Chill Island. You can pick up snorkel gear for personal use at the snorkel shack on Chill Island near Seaside Point.

Sports and games

If you need a free adrenaline boost on the island, you can get your competitive spirit going at two sports pavilions on Perfect Day at CocoCay. One is located at Breezy Bay and the other on South Beach.

At the pavilions, you’ll find hard and sand courts for basketball, volleyball, cornhole/baggo and other games. All are free to use.

You will not find any crew-led games for kids on the island.

What are the excursions at Perfect Day?

In addition to the major activities and attractions on island, you can book several excursions that will take you off the island — or at least out into the water. Personally, I’d save my excursion budget for a different island since the complimentary pools and beaches are so nice (or for the water park), but you’ve got a few nice options if you’re interested in water sports.

CocoCay kayak rentals. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Tours include:

Certified scuba dive with or without equipment
One-hour glass bottom boat ride
Guided kayak adventure in two-person kayaks
Kayak and snorkel adventure combo (guided kayak plus independent snorkeling)
Guided Wave Jet tour on a Sea-Doo jet ski
Reef snorkeling by boat
Sandbar getaway with snorkeling and water toys
Swiming pigs tour in the northern Berry Islands

Related: Shore excursions: What you need to know

Does Perfect Day at CocoCay offer cabanas to rent?

Chill Island cabana on Perfect Day. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

If you want to reserve a private space on the island, you have options ranging from beach beds to overwater cabanas. You’ll need to decide what type of exclusive hangout you desire, as well as where on the island you’d like it be.

Note that pricing will vary by cruise and cabana location. Royal Caribbean lists prices per daybed or cabana, not per person.

Royal Caribbean rents beach beds on Breezy Bay, Chill Island and South Beach. The double beds sit atop a wooden platform with a full roof and open sides, with curtains for some measure of privacy. Your rental comes with two lounge chairs with an umbrella, two floating mats, a cooler with four complimentary bottles of water and towels.

The price you’ll pay is per bed, not per person, and each bed can accommodate four people.

If you’re looking for a more substantial retreat, you also have several options for cabana rentals on Perfect Day.

Related: Ultimate guide to cruise ship cabanas

Chill Island daybed. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Chill Island cabanas

The Chill Island Cabanas are located at the end of Chill Island by Breezy Bay, farthest from the ship. The attendant noted that while they’re situated on a lovely protected bay, the cabanas are far from the island’s amenities. If you want to hide away in your cabana all day, they’re a great choice, but if you want a more interactive or social beach day, South Beach might be a better bet.

Each cabana is a wooden hut with an open front, thatched roof and front patio area. The interior is furnished with a sectional sofa, cooler stocked with complimentary water and a storage chest. Four lounge chairs sit out front.

A cabana attendant will bring you drinks (at going rates) and food from the Snack Shack menu, as well as towels during your stay.

Each cabana can hold eight people for the same price. You can add two more (for a total of 10) for $50 per person more.

Oasis Lagoon cabanas

The Oasis Lagoon cabanas are identical to the Chill Island versions, except they’re nestled in the greenery on the outskirts of Perfect Day at CocoCay’s gigantic pool. They’re a great place to crash after some hard partying by the swim-up bar, or for parents to relax with kids tuckered out from playing in the pool’s shallow area.

These cabanas have a hard limit of eight people.

Oasis Lagoon cabana. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

South Beach cabanas

The South Beach cabanas are the same thatched-roof hideouts that you’ll find on Chill Island or by the Oasis Lagoon, but they’re located on the middle of South Beach between Coco Beach Club and the South Beach daybed area.

The cabana base rate is for eight occupants, but you can pay $50 extra per person to add another two guests (for a total of 10).

South Beach cabanas. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Thrill Waterpark cabanas

The Thrill Waterpark cabanas are the perfect places for parents to relax while their offspring get wet and wild on the slides and in the active pools.

The brightly colored cabanas are scattered throughout the water park. They’re more of a basic design than the thatched-roof cabanas — simply a platform with four wooden posts holding up privacy curtains and an umbrella-style roof. The cabanas are outfitted with a sectional sofa, resort chairs, two outlets and a cooler and a couple of lounge chairs with a shade umbrella in front.

Cabana attendants will bring you food and extra-fee drinks. Your fee includes passes for up to six people to the water park. You can invite two more guests for $50 per person, but they will also need to purchase water park day passes individually.

Thrill Water Park cabana. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Coco Beach Club

Coco Beach Club is the exclusive, restricted-access area of Perfect Day. You have three options for how to gain entrance to this private beach area with its infinity pool and upscale restaurant.

Clubhouse and infinity pool. TIM AYLEN/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

The most affordable option (though it’s not cheap by any means) is to purchase a day pass to the beach club. This will give you access to the pool, restaurant and bar, and the loungers and umbrellas on the private beach area.

Or, you can upgrade with a beach cabana, located along the exclusive beachfront. These are a more upscale version of the cabanas found throughout the island.

The thatched roof huts are open on all four sides with privacy curtains, and feature a deck with four wooden loungers and a shade umbrella. Inside, relax on a chic sectional sofa or padded resort chairs. There’s locked storage, a minifridge, charging outlets and complimentary snorkel gear.

If you really want to live it up, go all out with a floating cabana, which Royal Caribbean claims are the first overwater bungalows in the Bahamas. They’re set on a dock jutting out from the beach and have similar furnishings to the beach cabanas with the addition of a circular dining table for four and a wet bar. Each also has its own slide into the sea, a two-person overwater hammock and a freshwater shower.

Each of the 10 beach cabanas and 20 overwater bungalows accommodates eight people and comes with the services of a cabana attendant. For the overwater cabanas, if you wish to add one or two guests, you’ll need to pay $50 per person extra plus the cost of a Beach Club pass. Even in this extra-free enclave, you’ll need to pay extra for all drinks you order (unless you previously purchased a beverage package).

Is food included on Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Yes, multiple venues serve a complimentary barbecue lunch on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Snack Shack on Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

The two main venues are Skipper’s Grill (overlooking the Harbor Lagoon, just past Splashaway Bay on the main path) and Chill Grill (between Harbor Beach and Chill Island). They serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with stations for burgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken, tacos, salads, fruit and desserts (don’t miss the caramel brownies). Both have drinks stations, soft-serve ice cream machines and a bar.

Seating is at colorful picnic tables with shade umbrellas.

You don’t have to trek across the island for lunch if you’ve chosen lounge chairs away from the grills. Three Snack Shack outposts — one inside Thrill Waterpark, one on South Beach and one between the Oasis Lagoon and Breezy Bay — ensure you’re never far from a meal.

The Snack Shacks are huts with multiple order-up windows where you can access a more limited menu than at Skipper’s or Chill Grill. You can choose from sandwiches (burgers, hot dogs, crispy chicken), various salads, mozzarella sticks, french fries and dessert (including funnel cakes). You’ll find drinks and fruit, too.

Take your selections back to your lounge chair or grab a spot at a nearby picnic table. Snack Shacks are open longer hours, from 10:30  a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Snack Shack menu. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

If you’ve paid for access to the Coco Beach Club, you will dine at its upscale restaurant and can order dishes such as lobster and steak unavailable at the island’s grill venues.

Unlike the other restaurants on the island, Beach Club passholders still need to make reservations for lunch times at the restaurant. Make them on board on embarkation day; if you wait until you’re on the island, the earlier dining times will likely be taken.

Captain Jack’s, the large bar located at the entrance of the park, has a food counter serving chicken wings and steak fries for an extra fee from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It seems silly to me to pay for food at the bar when the complimentary Skipper’s Grill is a short walk away, but if you’re buzzing and don’t want to leave the bar, know you have snacks close at hand.

Captain Jack’s. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Does my drink package work on Perfect Day at CocoCay?

You are never far from a beer or frozen cocktail on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Even better, unlike at some other cruise line private islands, your onboard drink package is accepted on the island. Just show your SeaPass with its special sticker and you won’t have to pay another cent for your pina coladas or White Claws.

Beach bar on Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

The island has eight named bars and five nameless bar stands. Roving waiters will take orders and bring drinks to your lounge chair, as well.

The bars on Perfect Day at CocoCay include:

Captain Jack’s Bar: The first bar you’ll see, right by the arrivals plaza, has covered and uncovered seating, a row of swing seats and a stage for live music.

Oasis Lagoon Bar: The pool’s swim-up bar is usually packed, but if you get out and walk around to the land-based side, you’ll find hardly any customers.

Wacky Seagull and Wacky Seagull Jr. Bars: These bars service either end of Chill Island. You’ll find one by the beach rentals kiosk and the other by the shore excursions kiosk. The signature drink here is the Coco Loco.

The Cracked Coconut Bar: This bar serves the Harbor Beach crowd and is a fun place to watch the zip liners come flying by.

Floating Bar: Its name tells you all you need to know. This bar on a raft just off South Beach quickly gets loud and rowdy with the party crowd. It’s surrounded by palapa-covered tables in the water and circular floating mats.

South Beach Bar: This is the closest watering hole to the South Beach cabanas and daybeds and Cove Beach.

Coconut Willie’s Bar: The land-based bar on South Beach is close to the sports courts.

Is there shopping on Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Shopping hut on Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or need to pick up the sunscreen or swim goggles you forgot to pack, you can find what you’re looking for at the shops of the CocoCay Island Market between the central portion of Chill Island and Harbor Beach. You can also get your hair braided.

There’s also a CocoCay Logo Shop across from Splashaway Bay, by the back exit of the water park.

All shops will accept U.S. dollars or your SeaPass card as payment.

What additional amenities will I find?

Beach strollers and wheelchairs. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Restrooms and beach showers are scattered throughout the island and are well marked on the maps. You’ll also find towel exchange kiosks, designated smoking areas, lockers and first aid stations.

You can check out towels from the ship or once on shore, but you must return to the ship with the same number of towels you took with you and check back in with the towel station just after the security screening. You cannot return wet towels on the island unless you initially checked them out from an onshore kiosk.

The island is Wi-Fi-enabled with Royal Caribbean’s Voom internet. Your onboard Wi-Fi package will get you access on the island as well.

Beach wheelchairs and beach strollers with extra-thick tires for navigating Perfect Day at CocoCay’s sandy shores are available to borrow throughout the island.

Can you stay overnight on Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Chill Island daybed. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

You can only have a perfect day and not a perfect night on CocoCay.

You’ll see plenty of beds on the island, but they’re daybeds for rent. Your cruise ship will leave the island in the afternoon, and the only people who spend the night are a handful of staff members who live on the island.

What’s the typical weather like ?

The Bahamas has great weather year-round. Expect highs in the low 80s during the winter and low 90s during the summer. You won’t find a ton of natural shade when walking around Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the sun is incredibly strong. Reapply sunscreen more often than you think you need to, to avoid burning!

The rainiest months here are June, August and September. Hurricane season runs June through November, with the peak time for storms August through October. Your ship will not call on Perfect Day if conditions are unsafe.

Don’t let a rainy forecast get you down. Like in other tropical destinations, rain showers tend to pass quickly and you can see them coming. I got caught in a downpour for about an hour on my most recent visit, so I hid under an umbrella and ate lunch. Before and after the shower, I enjoyed the beach, pool and attractions with no problem.

Note that if lightning is seen, the lifeguards are required to send everyone out of the water until they get the all-clear.

Perfect Day at CocoCay may not show up on major weather websites, but you can search on the Berry Islands or Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas to come close.

Related: Best time to cruise to Bahamas

Can I see a Perfect Day at CocoCay map?

Sure! Here is a map of the island to help you plan your day. You can also find a map in your Royal Caribbean app, but it’s awkward because you have to zoom in too much to see anything clearly. Your best bet is to pick up a paper map at your ship’s shore excursions desk before you head out to the island.

Map of Perfect Day at CocoCay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

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Carscoops 

A duo of American tourists pulled off an impressive feat of navigation when they skillfully wedged a Nissan Juke onto a narrow footpath in the quaint Welsh town of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, last week. Astonishingly, they generously credited their satellite navigation system for this remarkable achievement.

Local media reports that the women were trying to get to St Catherine’s Island at a nearby beach when they ventured off the road and started to drive along a path designed only for pedestrians. They kept driving until they couldn’t go any further, wedging the Juke between two walls before abandoning it and catching a train to their hotel.

“No one’s ever got a vehicle down there before,” local mechanic Stephen Lowe said, one of the men called in to remove the SUV. “[The walls were] touching on both sides of the car. They got it wedged and they just put more power on. There’s normally a bollard on the footpath but that was out at the time, and they went onto the footpath.”

Read: Man Damages 2,500-Year-Old Tree By Driving Nissan Armada Through It

Lowe and his colleagues devised a plan to tow the car backward using a winch located at the very top of the path. The process of pulling the Nissan free took more four and a half hours and at one stage, there was even talk about cutting up the car and scrapping it, Lowe told the BBC.

This is not the first time this year that we’ve seen a tourist drive down a narrow walking trail while intently following their satellite navigation. In March, the 77-year-old driver of an Alpina B3 Touring was guided down a hiking trail by his GPS while visiting Lake Wolfgang near Salzburg, Austria. He ended up wedging the Alpina between a rock wall and a steel and concrete fence. The car’s unplanned off-road adventure left it with extensive scratches down both sides.

Photo and video Christopher Man / Twitter

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