Does CocoCay have a 5k?

[Scootin'By]

I'm looking into taking a cruise next summer and one of the things that I'm interested in doing is running a 5k. I know that Disney's CastAway Cay has a course and it looks like Holland America's Half Moon Cay also has a track (although no official recognition). Does anyone know if Royal Carribean's CocoCay has a place to run? I've done a few internet searches and come up with mixed results. Any help or information is greatly appreciated as I decide which cruise line might be best.

 

[kdonnel]

I'm looking into taking a cruise next summer and one of the things that I'm interested in doing is running a 5k. I know that Disney's CastAway Cay has a course and it looks like Holland America's Half Moon Cay also has a track (although no official recognition). Does anyone know if Royal Carribean's CocoCay has a place to run? I've done a few internet searches and come up with mixed results. Any help or information is greatly appreciated as I decide which cruise line might be best.

I have only been twice but neither time did I see anything mentioning a 5k.

 

[Scootin'By]

Thanks for letting me know.

I forgot to add in my initial post that any kind of running track would do, just something I can do a couple of laps around.

 

[gregorykicks]

Thanks for letting me know.

I forgot to add in my initial post that any kind of running track would do, just something I can do a couple of laps around.

I looked at some cruise compasses and didn't see any 5k.

I suppose you could run in the morning, but you would be dodging people and trams.

 

[Scootin'By]

Yeah, I'm not into playing frogger with people and trams. I think I'd rather just stay aboard ship and run laps without anybody else around.

 

[kdonnel]

Yeah, I'm not into playing frogger with people and trams. I think I'd rather just stay aboard ship and run laps without anybody else around.

If you get off as soon as the gangway opens, there are very few people on the island. It takes a couple hours before the island starts to fill up.

 

[warrenz1963]

At Disney's Castaway Cay I'm pretty sure the 5k thing has changed. There's no official "event" any longer, but I think folks still do it. I don't even think they hand out medals anymore.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Frequent runner here and if this is a make or break thing for you, it might be better to consider another line or itinerary. Having done cruises even during different marathon training cycles, I'll share there is not a great opportunity or route on CoCo for a run.

We have been on the private island for DCL, Royal (Coco and Labadee), MSC, and Holland (Carnival's place) and really only Disney has enough space/path that takes you away from other guests that you can really get a good run in. The others do have some areas that you could get a run in but you are more likely too close to other guests and will be zigzagging or interrupting your pace. CoCo might work but there is little paved areas and you would have to incorporate more soft, sandy areas. Holland/Carnival has a decent out and back stretch to the horseback area and another place that can work but again the terrain might not be as great, there is even a a single track but it is even less suitable for running.

All that focuses on running on private islands. I'll add that the ship or itinerary can be a great place to run. Holland does a thing that they have a group walk/run for a cause. It is more of a walk and it takes place on the promenade deck but nice to actually do something with a group and support a cause, (I think our event on the ship went to a Ukraine relief group). If you are considering Royal, the Oasis class is one of the best to do runs on the ship. Since they are so large and the run/walk track is around deck 5 so it only take 2.5 laps per mile.

It is so much better getting less laps per mile, but it can get a little crowded at peak times in the mid to late morning.

As far as itinerary goes, getting off the ship and going for a run is a great way to explore. There might be a few ports that you opt not to run at but most, if you have even a little bit of a plan (thanks to the GPS map apps/sites) you can be relatively successful. I have done 5k up to half distances off the ship. Curacao, Reykjavik, Kristiansand were some fantastic places to see on foot.

 

[Scootin'By]

This is great information! Thanks so much.

 

[Sleepy425]

I've been to CocoCay a few times. While there is no official running route, it wasn't bad to just do a loop over and over myself. I don't even go early, so there are a good amount of people on the island by the time I go to do it. I have no desire to run on the beach, so the loop isn't very long but it gets the job done.
That said, people will look at you like you're crazy for choosing to run

 

[Scootin'By]

That said, people will look at you like you're crazy for choosing to run

Isn't that always the case?! I'm used to it by now