Royal Caribbean has announced some exciting changes and updates this week.
While there can be big news reveals some days, such as the Royal Beach Club announcement last week, other times we get minor bits of news worth sharing too.
In trying to capture it all, here's a run-through of what's new in Royal Caribbean over the last few days.
Updated casino exclusion program
Royal Caribbean has updated its exclusion program details to make it a bit easier.
The exclusion program allows someone to prevent themselves from gambling in the ship's casino. Usually it's because that person has a gambling problem and needs a preventative measure in place.
You might be unfamiliar with this option, because the old program was not advertised, and it you did enroll, you would be banned from sailing on all Royal Caribbean ships.
Under the new program, there's an option for a one year ban or a lifetime ban.
To request a review of a lifetime ban, the casino requires at least a year to have elapsed before that request can be considered.
Once enrolled, the casino team will refuse your wagers. If you were somehow able to gamble, you would be ineligible to collect any winnings or recover any losses.
Thanks to Bryan for sharing this update with us.
Royal Beach Club construction photos
With Royal Caribbean revealing the first Royal Beach Club will open in The Bahamas in December 2025, you might be curious how it looks now.
I was sailing on Utopia of the Seas this weekend and have these photos from our visit to Nassau that were taken on December 14.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025 and will come at an extra cost for passengers, providing a day pass to experience pools, food, and games.
It covers 17 acres of land, offering two stunning beaches, three pools, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and an array of dining and drinking options.
All-inclusive day passes and cabanas for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available for purchase starting in spring 2025.
Don't forget, this is just one of three beach clubs currently planned.
They've got a Royal Beach Club going to Cozumel, Mexico, and Vanuatu.
Beach clubs are like a "super shore excursion" that aims to offer an elevated beach day experience for passengers who want a beach day with Royal Caribbean's standards in place.
Plus, the beach club will address a decades long problem of poor customer feedback regarding Nassau.
On top of that, Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 to offer the cruise line's third private beach destination.
Beverage change update
Reports began circulating last week that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.
As it turns out, the rumor was half-true.
A post from Royal Caribbean in reply to a disgruntled cruiser explained what the change affects.
"We're sorry for any confusion. Kindly note, this policy does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages, such as canned sodas and bottled water. Only alcoholic drinks."
This means drinks ordered with a drink voucher from the Crown and Anchor Society benefits that begin at the Diamond Level will have to be opened for the guest. Ditto for cans of beer ordered with a drink package.
So if you order a can of beer, expect it to be opened for you, regardless of if you want it to be opened or not.
