Royal Caribbean's private island where only employees and cruise guests can visit

Global cruise ship company Royal Caribbean has lifted the lid on its exclusive $250 million (£192 million) private island in the middle of the Bahamas.

One of the largest cruise ship operators in the world alongside Carnival, Royal Caribbean owns the seven largest cruise ships on the planet including the number one, Icon of the Seas, which has room for a staggering 7,600 passengers.

With so many people, and weighing a whopping 248,663 tonnes, it is an engineering marvel that the thing doesn't sink. There is some clever science behind why it doesn't, though.

Launching earlier this year, it is the most exclusive offering Royal Caribbean provides at open sea.

Royal Caribbean's CocoCay island (Royal Caribbean)

And one stunning location the ship visits adds to the exclusivity, with it being none other than the cruise line's own private island it bought for just shy of £200 million.

CocoCay island, also known as Little Stirrup Cay, is one of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, around 55 miles north of Nassau.

Taking over the island back in 1988 with a 100-year lease, Royal Caribbean put hundreds of millions into the location back in 2019 as it completely overhauled it, officially renaming it Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Despite only cruise ship passengers being allowed to step foot on the island, Royal Caribbean has allowed TV cameras to step on shore as part of Channel 4's documentary special, Billion Pound Cruise.

The island with a RC ship docked (Royal Caribbean)

And one of the first revelations about the island is that it is completely uninhabited. It means that staff from the cruise ship must disembark and fully staff the five dining areas - plus other amenities - while also supplying their own food and drink for the island.

Staff go first followed by 60 tonnes of food and drink, the documentary reveals. It is only after this is complete that passengers can go and explore the 125-acre island.

The most eye-catching attraction on the island has to be the 120-foot water slide called Daredevil's Peak - the tallest water slide in North America - which stands out above the tree line in a multi-coloured tower.

There is also a wave pool within the island's own water park. And if you want something a little bit more relaxing, you can head to a number of beaches on the island where there are sun beds, swim-up bars, and hammocks to relax in the sun or shade.

One of CocoCay island's beaches (Royal Caribbean)

As well as Daredevil's Peak, the only other object to break the skyline is the island's very own helium balloon - dubbed Up, Up and Away - which takes holiday-goers 450 feet up in to the sky to enjoy the view.

And for the thrill-seekers, the island has a zip line taking you 1,600 feet across the tiny plot of land in the middle of the ocean.

CocoCay island is near another private island owned by another cruise company (Royal Caribbean)

A lot of the services are free, such as the Splashaway Bay waterpark and beach areas, which is a welcome bonus for people trying to keep excursion costs down.

The Snack Shack, Skipper's Grill, and Chill Grill - which has American classics such as hot dogs, burgers, and chicken sandwiches - are also included in the package you've paid to travel with Royal Caribbean in the first place.