Ultimate World Cruise: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Homecoming Celebrations and the Epic Finale

Intro

This is it! The last day of the Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. This whole journey started in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, as part of my Round the World Trip 2024, and now it was going to end in Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, and Miami, Florida, where we would debark.

These are the posts related to this cruise:

I spent 22 Days on the Ultimate World Cruise: A Travel Experience

Ultimate World Cruise: Reykjavík, Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle Tour

Ultimate World Cruise: Prince Christian Sound in Greenland and Izumi

Ultimate World Cruise: Qaqortoq, Greenland, Sip. Tour. Brunch. and Pirate Night

Ultimate World Cruise: St. John’s, Canada, Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table

Ultimate World Cruise: Halifax, Canada, and Chops Grille

Ultimate World Cruise: New York Awaits!

Ultimate World Cruise: Bermuda and Homecoming Celebrations

Day 22/22: Getting to Perfect Day at CocoCay

We had made it, 22 days out of 22. The last port was Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean private island in The Bahamas. We arrived early in the morning. The day was full of activities, as this was part of the Homecoming celebrations for the World Cruisers that had been here for 9 months.

The companion ship for the day was going to be the Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruises in the world. Seeing it coming from the Windjammer was an experience.

Now docked next to Serenade of the Seas, it looked so big.

Finally out and OMG look at the difference between the 2 cruises, our home Serenade of the Seas to the right, and Wonder of the Seas, to the left.

Day 22/22: Exploring Perfect Day at CocoCay

The island welcomed us with this art in the sand, showing some of the Wonders of the World they had visited in the last 9 months, like the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, and the Great Wall of China.

Right in front of the arrival to the island, you can find the Harbor Beach, a very calm area with shallow water.

It was too early and people were still getting into the island, from both ships, but there were some people already in the water.

Probably one of the coolest features of this private island is this huge pool in the middle of it, called Oasis Lagoon, with a swim in bar and everything. It would get very busy as the day progressed.

Walked a little more towards South Beach, and the views were nice. The water was very calm.

Day 22/22: Hideaway Beach

Took the tram back to the main station, and walked to Hideaway Beach, not too far from where the pier ends.

Unfortunately, even though the invitation said we all could come at certain hour, only the world cruisers were allowed as of now. So in the meantime I waited to be let in.

Day 22/22: Ultimate World Cruise Homecoming party at Hideaway Beach

We were allowed inside and the party was on. Music everywhere, and the ability to go anywhere in Hideaway Beach. I had booked this place to come explore way before this sailing, and Royal Caribbean canceled my reservation because we all were going to get in for free. That was amazing. They really did a good job in this new section of the island.

Time for a snack, and I decide to get some coconut shrimp which is always good.

I continued exploring Hideaway Beach, and wow the colors of the water, and everything looked so surreal.

Royal Caribbean had a nice free Flyboarding show for us. Which by the way, the whole Hideaway Beach was exclusive today for the Serenade of the Seas guests, and not the Wonder of the Seas.

While seating and relaxing, I noticed a little lizard right next to my chair on the beach.

Finally decided to jump in the Hideaway Pool and go get some drinks, including of course, a Piña colada from the Hideaway Bar.

The drink was great, but now Royal Caribbean had another surprise, they were literally shooting alcohol on people’s mouths. I was so surprised lol. It looked fun but I was good just looking at it.

We spent a good time on the pool, with the music and the drinks. It was a good time.

Until, they brought more free alcohol lol. Unlimited champagne to celebrate the end of this journey.

All this drinking and swimming made me hungry, so decided to grab the shrimp pizza and the empanada at the Hideaway Hut. The pizza was not as good, but the empanada was great.

Day 22/22: Ultimate World Cruise Homecoming Dinner

Time to go back to the ship one last time, and after getting in I had to take a quick nap and refresh after that long sun exposure lol. For the last dinner, I decided to go to the Main Dining Room, like most nights, and we were surprised by this special menu.

It had many of the hit dishes of the entire cruise, and of course I had to try the free lobster.

Not after eating the royal seafood salad. I think what I ate the most on this cruise was seafood, it was so good tho.

The lobster with all that butter is just so good. Love it.

I went to the Windjammer to see what they had for dinner, and they were serving this huge cake celebrating the Ultimate World Cruise conclusion.

To my surprise, they were giving unlimited lobster so I had to grab a couple and force myself to et them lol. They were so good.

Day 22/22: Ultimate World Cruise Homecoming evening celebrations

All the World Cruisers were invited to the front of the cruise for a VIP party to see some fireworks, just miles away from Perfect Day at CocoCay. However, not much information was given to us, the non World Cruisers, as to where we could see them. Deck 11 was a bit of a mess, of people trying to figure out what to do. Until they started to blast the fireworks, and it was on the opposite direction as to we were looking.

The fireworks were nice, but I wished Royal Caribbean had been more communicative with the hundreds of non World Cruisers that were on board, and that also deserved to see the fireworks, and participate on these festivities.

Later that night, it was time for the last show: Headliner Showtime: Frankie and the Dreamers.

The show was kinda fun, but I would have expected something bigger for the big finale.

But the best part was probably the goodbyes and thanks from the crew. The cruise director did a great job congratulating them in a hard job for 9 months across the world. Really touching moment.

After all those celebrations it was time to go to the stateroom. And oh! All of the suitcases, and even boxes were left on the hallways to be picked up for debarkation. There was no more clear sign that this was the end for everyone on board on this journey. For me it was 22 days but for them it was 274 days at sea. Wow.

Welcome to Miami

After getting an early coffee, it was now time to be back on land. I had been traveling for 51 days, 22 of them on this cruise, and it had been an amazing experience. But I was ready to be back in my life.

Sadly, we said goodbye to Serenade of the Seas, reflecting on all of the great experiences, and now we were in Port of Miami, Florida, where we were welcomed with these decorations.

I took an Uber and went to my hotel. From it I could see Serenade of the Seas docked and getting ready to receive new guests.

I booked a day hotel just to relax, since the flight was later tonight. I stayed in the Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, Miami Beach.

Miami Beach looked a little too quiet in this Tuesday in September. Something was off, but I still enjoyed walking around.

And even went to Raising Cane’s, which I had been become fan of ever since Orlando.

Back to NYC

After all these 51 days I was finally getting back to New York city for good. I went to the MIA Airport later, and my adventure was finished. Both the Round the World Trip 2024 and the Ultimate World Cruise were a thing of the past, but now it was time to get back to reality.

Which is good. I always love coming back to see the beautiful NYC skyline.