A: “Key” and “cay” are just different spellings of the same 17th-century word for a small, low island, especially in the Caribbean or off the coast of Florida. “Key” is more common in Florida and “cay” in the Caribbean, and it's likely that local customs and place names have kept the different spellings alive.
The Bahamas are composed of a series of islands—or cays. Although spelled differently, the Bahamian “cay” is pronounced exactly the same as the Florida “Key.” Keeeeee.
How is CocoCay pronounced? CocoCay is pronounced Coco-Key.
If you travel at all in the Caribbean, you'll soon encounter the word Cay. English speakers from the United States will be tempted to pronounce it as it's spelled, cay, rhyming it with the word way. Resist the temptation. It's pronounced key, just like those things we use in locks.
“Cay” is usually pronounced the same way (KEE), but some dictionaries give an alternate pronunciation, KAY. “Quay” was originally pronounced KEE, and that's still the preferred pronunciation (it was once spelled “key”).
The English word cay comes from the Spanish word cayo and this from the Taíno word cayo meaning "small island". The English words key and quay (which means wharf) come from the old French kai meaning "sand bank".
Cay: Like key, it's a small island or reef, but this spelling is mainly used in the Caribbean, where the word derived from after being brought over by the Spanish. Quay: This is always a manmade structure like a wharf or dock to which you'd tie your boat. It usually extends along the edge of a bay, harbor, or lake.
Coco Cay (Little Stirrup Cay), Bahamas History
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, assumed the lease of the island upon acquisition of Admiral Cruises in 1988 and renamed it Coco Cay.
In 2019, the island was extensively renovated by Royal Caribbean at the cost of $250 million and renamed Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Quay and Key have completely different meaning in English. Yes (Clarke) Quay, Key (West) and (coral) Cay are pronounced the same but of course have different meanings. A search of the word in a dictionary will give you the explanation. It's from the French "Quai" - hence the pronunciation.
The term “key” comes from the Spanish word, “cayo” which translates to “small island.” Most of the sand in Key West's beaches isn't natural, but was shipped in from the Caribbean.
CocoCay: Slightly Smaller With Space For Two Ships
While it's smaller than Castaway Cay, its infrastructure can accommodate two ships. Considering that Royal's ships are larger than Disney's ships, that puts considerably more people on the island.
Private island paradise: Royal Caribbean invested $250 million in transforming its private island into an amenity-packed spot for cruise guests. Action-packed, if you like: The island offers a broad mix of family-friendly activities, complimentary dining and peaceful lounging.
The mostly local Bahamian employees live on the island, which is only operational when guests are there. Only Royal Caribbean employees and cruise ship guests have access to CocoCay.
With the completion of Royal Caribbean Cruises' $7 million private island CocoCay, the cruise line has taken the out-island concept from beach experience closer to a full-scale Caribbean port-of-call experience.
The English spelling of this word was originally key, and that's one way to pronounce it even today, an alternative to "qway." Quay comes from the Old North French cai, "sand bank."
Clever! Fun fact: in countries who use UK pronunciation / spelling (Aus, England, etc.), “Key” is the only way to say “Quay”. “Kei” or “Qway” is more American than English, even though the standard way to say it in both the US and in the UK is “Key”!
A quay is traditionally a waterside place where ships or boats would tie up to load and off load their cargo.
Meaning:Pure; Key; Creek boy. Sweet and minimalistic, Cay is a feminine name derived from many possible origins. Cay is most popularly a respelling of Kay, from the Greek Katherine, meaning “pure.” Kay shines as a retro nickname, while Cay flaunts a distinctive style with its gentle “c” spelling.
Cays actually are technically different than islands because rather than being formed by volcanic action or continental plates, cays are low-elevation landmasses formed on top of coral reefs. The ocean transports loose sediment across a reef where it accumulates and builds up.