One of the most popular cruise ports in the world is also one of the worst rated among cruise passengers, but Royal Caribbean has a plan.
If you think of a warm tropic cruise getaway, The Bahamas is probably what you imagine, and yet cruiser surveys rank it as among the worst places they visit.
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed last year that passengers don't love Nassau, Bahamas.
"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.
Given Nassau's proximity to the United States, you might assume there's not much that can be done about it, as alternatives aren't plenty within a logistical distance.
But Royal Caribbean wants to fix the issues its customers have with the port with a brand new idea that's never been attempted.
Building a better beach day
According to Royal Caribbean's surveys, cruisers found Nassau lacking fresh or innovative things to do. That seemed to be at the heart of the frustration.
Royal Caribbean's plan is to try something completely different that will deliver the high standards the line has already developed on its ships and at its private islands.
New details were revealed this week to showcase the scale of its 17-acre development that is right in the heart of Nassau.
Royal Caribbean bought up land right where cruise ships dock, and that's no accident. They wanted to give the very best product in an extremely convenient location.
Their plan is known as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is described as the ultimate beach day.
Opening in December 2025, the beach club will charge an admission cost for a super-charged Royal Caribbean excursion.
Available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruisers, there will be multiple beaches and pools, with different vibes for each area. The three zones - Family Beach, Chill Beach, Party Zone- ensures there is something for everyone.
And because it's all-inclusive, there's nothing to worry about once you arrive. Relax, enjoy food and drink, and get the kind of tropical experience vacationers crave.
What you can do at the Royal Beach Club
Royal Caribbean shared what the property will offer, and it's a mix of beach, pool, and experience.
There's two beaches, three pools, the world's largest swim-up bar, cabanas, and places to get something eat.
At the west end is the Family Zone, where you'll find The Shallow End Pool and Swim-up bar.
This is a zero-entry pool where everyone can walk in and swim, along with the choice to stop by the swim-up bar. This bar has both cocktails and mocktails, so it's great for parents or kids.
There's also beach bars and the Paradise Grill to keep you replenished while enjoying time at the white sand beach.
In the middle is party zone, which has the hard-to-miss Floating Flamingo pool.
The name stands out as much as the venue, which is a two-story swim-up bar that has a DJ to play music all day long.
Royal Caribbean is also offering an extra cost area, known as Party Cove VIP. It's meant to be a celebration spot, where you can have your own exclusive space with elevated service.
Finally, there's Chill Zone on the eastern end of the property, and it's going to be the quiet(er) area of the beach club.
The Deep End pool also has a swim-up bar that serves mocktails and cocktails, and it's right up against the ocean.
Combining ship and shore
None of Royal Caribbean's plans operate in a vacuum, and when you look at the big picture, it becomes apparent they're moving ships and beaches around like a chess board that's close to end game.
When Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, the cruise line's four best cruise ships will be ready to visit.
Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are giant Oasis Class ships that sail only to The Bahamas, and will operate out of Port Canaveral and Miami.
If short cruises aren't your thing, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have 7-night sailings to take you there too. And that's the two biggest cruise ships in the world that have made headlines on their own for redefining what a cruise vacation is all about.
Basically, Royal Caribbean wants to grab the attention of anyone thinking about taking a cruise vacation (especially people that have never cruised before) and show them there's no question Royal Caribbean has the best options from any cruise line in the world.
It's bold, creative, and novel, and aims to not only solve the puzzle of Nassau, but also set the bar higher for vacations.
