The demand for an adults-only beach has blown away Royal Caribbean's wildest expectations.
Within three weeks of bookings opening, the company has already increased the price for this brand-new experience that's set to open in January 2024.
"Hideaway Beach is our newest adult-only ultimate beachfront paradise at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Pre-cruise sales for Hideaway Beach and premium offerings are exceeding our expectations," said Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, on October 26 during the company's third quarter earnings call.
If there was any doubt there was demand for an adults-only area, the sales thus far even before it has opened says everything we need to know.
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told investors, "we opened for sale for this one product about three weeks ago, and it's going gangbusters. I mean, we're delighted with the product."
Royal Caribbean was so delighted they've already started to increase the price due to demand, "We've already started pushing up the pricing for that experience."
He believes the new beach will make a huge difference, "It's going to be really a game changer, and the demand has been exceptional."
In addition, Royal Caribbean is seeing an elevated demand for ships sailing to CocoCay, meaning that this may result in a price increase for sailings with the private island on their itineraries.
3 million guests are expected to visit the island in 2024, which is up from 2.5 million in 2023.
What is Hideaway Beach?
Hideaway Beach was first announced back in September 2021 by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.
Located at Perfect Day at CocoCay, this adults-only escape will be accessible to those who are 18 and older.
This experience is not included, and the exact cost to enter is priced dynamically based on your sailing and what time of year you're going.
Pricing for Hideaway Beach during a Celebrity Reflection cruise departing on April 21, 2024 currently costs $52.99 per person on the Cruise Planner, while the price on Icon of the Seas' inaugural voyage slated for January 27, 2024 is $88.99.
In addition to a private beach, the adults-only area includes two pools, 20 extra-cost cabanas, seven open-air bars, places to eat, and more.
One of the pools will feature a DJ and swim-up bar. There are also in-water seating and loungers, as well as poolside loungers for those who don't want to be in the water all day.
Note that if you purchase a cabana, it includes eight passes to Hideaway Beach. You're able to add up to two more people for $50 extra, plus the cost of a Hideaway Beach Full Day Pass.
Related: 10 things you didn't know about Perfect Day at CocoCay
Why does Hideaway Beach matter?
While you can go ahead and make your booking, Hideaway Beach officially opens for guests at the same time Icon of the Seas launches in January.
Just seven months later, Utopia of the Seas sets sail, too. Both ships, which will be the two largest in the world, are set to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay during every sailing, with Utopia visiting twice per week on her 3- and 4-night short cruises.
Whether you're a devoted Royal Caribbean fan who is looking forward to the launch of Icon or someone who is new to cruising and doesn't want to commit to a longer sailing but wants to experience the best of the best, you'll get the chance to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on a one-of-a-kind ship and visit the brand-new Hideaway Beach.
"...strength in volume allows us to continue to improve on the rate side, and you combine all that with incredible hardware coming into place next year, especially Icon of the Seas, as well as more volume on to places like Perfect Day because of Hideaway, we feel very good about our yield projections for next year," remarked Liberty during the earnings call.
"...Hideaway, which delivers incredible margins, which will improve our yield profile, but also has costs with no APCDs, So all in all, we feel very good.”
Mr. Bayley talked about the opening of Hideaway Beach coinciding with the launch of Icon of the Seas is going to be a great fit, "all of that comes online with Icon of the Seas, which is by far the best-selling product we've ever launched in the history of our business, and it continues to perform at an exceptionally high level."
"So, the combo of Icon with Hideaway is really for us exceptionally exciting. And then, of course, we've got Utopia going straight into the shorts market, to Perfect Day in the summer."
Related: Royal Caribbean has a plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations
Other changes coming to Perfect Day at CocoCay
Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay will see a new addition in 2024, too, as a new water slide is going to be joining the Splash Summit tower, which is currently home to the Sling Shot family raft slide, Splash Speedway mat slide, and Twister tube ride.
The new Family Flume Water Slide will be able to accommodate groups of 2-4 people and will use the same rafts as the Sling Shot.
Like Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark costs extra, with the average admission price ranging from $89 to $169 per person. Note that if you purchase a pass to Hideaway Beach, you will not be able to access Thrill Waterpark.
