Guests Clash Over Ocean Space at Royal Caribbean’s Private Island

A private island destination can be an amazing port of call for cruise guests, but what about when the experience isn’t exactly what you expected? Some guests at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas had a less than perfect experience on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

According to guests in the vicinity who shared their experiences on Reddit, an altercation broke out in the Chill Island area, which is supposed to be a quieter, more restful space for guests to enjoy a peaceful beach day.

The incident allegedly happened due to a dispute over ocean space (really?). A group of guests who had rented the overwater cabana closest to the swimming area open to everyone were upset throughout the day that some swimmers were supposedly encroaching on the cabana space.

Mind you, this is in the water. While there are buoy lines to mark off the privately rented cabana space, there is no other physical division between them and of course the waves and currents move freely.

That day’s tides apparently kept pushing various swimmers closer to the cabana area, and at various times, lifeguards posted in the area reminded guests to keep their distance from the rented cabanas.

This one group of cabana renters, however, was not at all accommodating about what they perceived as “their” space. Harsh words – including profanities – were directed at the lifeguards from the rowdy group, as well as at nearby guests.

The situation escalated when two members of the cabana guests apparently decided to take matters into their own hands, swimming after another man and his son in the water. Pushes, punches, and even dunks happened quickly even as lifeguards intervened.

Guests on shore and in the swimming area noted that the cabana group continued to taunt and mock others until more security guards arrived. Different people nearby were interviewed about what they saw and heard during the incident.

Renting the cabanas can have a steep price tag – up to several thousand dollars per day for larger cabanas with more perks. This does not, however, give any guest the right to rude or entitled behavior, or to encroach on the peace and relaxation of another guest’s vacation.

Will There Be Consequences?

Royal Caribbean has not made any official statement about the incident, nor what actions may be taken with respect to those involved.

Nor has it been clarified which ship the involved guests may have been sailing aboard. Both Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas were enjoying Perfect Day at CocoCay on the day in question. Neither ship was reported to be delayed in any way.

It is possible that formal charges of assault may be filed, or there may be fines or other consequences from the cruise line, as violent behavior is a violation of Royal Caribbean’s Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy.

Such consequences could include suspension of one’s loyalty benefits, being confined in one’s stateroom, being removed from the cruise, or even a complete ban from all future sailings in the Royal Caribbean Group.

From guest reports and videos of the incident, violations of the policy in this instance could include verbal abuse, offensive language, “uninvited physical contact,” and more.

Hopefully, this will prove to be an isolated incident and future guests to CocoCay and other private destinations will enjoy the peaceful beach days and great fun they have looked forward to as part of their cruise vacations.