It's the dawn of a new era for Nassau cruisers — if you're sailing with Royal Caribbean, that is. 

Private cabanas aren't a new concept. In fact, some of the dreamiest are the overwater cabanas at the Coco Beach Club. However, Royal Caribbean invested in perhaps its most swanky cabana yet at its all-new beach club in The Bahamas. 

The Ultimate Family Cabana is a one-of-a-kind retreat designed to feel like a beachside villa that goes far beyond the average beach set-up. 

Available at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the cruise line's extra-cost private club in Nassau, the Ultimate Family Cabana is unlike traditional cabanas that offer private loungers, shade, and other basic amenities. 

Instead, the two-story sanctuary feels like a miniature beach house — complete with everything from a slide to a private bathroom, reserved beach space, frozen drink machine, television, and more. 

Here's what you can expect inside.

Royal Caribbean's new Ultimate Family Cabana

Before you even walk inside, you will realize this cabana is unlike any other. With its premium amenities, the Ultimate Family Cabana is poised to become Royal's top-of-the-line product when it comes to perfect beach days. 

Royal Caribbean's largest cabana is located within the Family Beach area of the beach club, just steps from the zero-entry pool and picturesque beach. 

However, you may not want to spend much time outside the cabana. As you enter, you're welcomed by an expansive living room with comfortable chairs and couches that could easily live on someone's private lanai. 

There's also a dedicated dining area, complete with a large table and seating for the whole group. This is convenient, seeing as the cabana can accommodate up to 12 people. 

Moving on, one of the highlights of the Ultimate Family Cabana is the frozen drink machine, ensuring you can get all-you-can-(reasonably)-drink piña coladas and daiquiris with no wait. 

Nearby is a small shaded kitchen, housing a fridge and sink. Opposite the kitchen is the cabana's private bathroom. This means you won't have to trek far for restroom breaks during your ultimate beach day. 

Upstairs is where you’ll find some of the best views in the entire beach club. The second level opens to a plush daybed, table, chairs, and a wet bar. This makes it easy to sip on a crafted cocktail or snack while enjoying the breezy deck.  

The entrance to the neon orange spiral slide is also on the second level of the Ultimate Family Cabana. One neat feature of the slide is that there's a button at the top that "primes" it with water. This ensures that you don't get stuck or burn your bottom on the way down. 

Even if you aren't an avid slide-goer, you will want to visit the second level at least once — mostly to take in the scenery of the turquoise Bahamian waters.

You can also people-watch, as the elevated vantage point offers sweeping views of the Family Beach area and pool. You can even see the towering Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. 

Back downstairs, the Ultimate Family Cabana continues to impress with its beachfront hot tub. This ensures that, even on the chilliest Bahamian days, you can soak up the sunshine and white-sand shoreline. 

The best part is that the hot tub is located steps from a private beach area. As such, you'll have a dedicated space to relax away from the hustle and bustle — all without fighting for a prime lounge chair! 

That's not all, either. Just beyond the hot tub, the cabana’s private beach area also features a hammock. I don't know about you, but I could easily fall asleep reading here. It's the perfect spot to catch up on anyone's endless "TBR" (to-be-read) list! 

No matter how you choose to spend your day at Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Family Cabana, you'll find it has ample spaces to relax and recharge. It's the best of both worlds, really — you can enjoy the newly-opened Royal Beach Club while having a private space with luxurious amenities to retreat to. 

How much does the Royal Beach Club Ultimate Family Cabana cost?

The Ultimate Family Cabana's amenities sound incredible, but the cost is a big part of the equation, too. Affording this slice of paradise isn't for the casual budget cruiser. 

The onboard price for the cabana is $10,000. However, you can save thousands by reserving it through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. 

For example, during my upcoming cruise on Utopia of the Seas in July 2026, the Cruise Planner lists the Ultimate Family Cabana with a 30% discount, bringing the price down to $6,999.99.

Comparatively, day passes to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island cost around $97 to $110 per person, depending on whether you want unlimited non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages included. 

Despite the hefty price tag, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley claimed the demand for the cabana is unprecedented. 

"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our Ultimate Family Cabana for one day at $10,000, which was quite remarkable...Subsequently, we've sold a lot of days in the Ultimate Family Cabana at $10,000," he said during an earnings call last year. 

Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is Royal Caribbean's newest addition to its growing private destination portfolio. 

The private beach club destination was created in partnership with The Bahamas and is located on Paradise Island — a narrow strip of land near the Nassau cruise port. 

Unfortunately, the 17-acre beach club isn't included in your cruise fare. As such, it acts more like an optional shore excursion, with access to the private beaches, heated pools, unlimited beverages, and local cuisine available for an added cost. 

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is divided into three main areas: Family Beach, Party Cove, and Chill Beach. Family Beach is where the Ultimate Family Cabana is located, along with the Shallow End Pool & Swim-Up Bar, Paradise Grill location, and more. 

Party Cove is the social hub of the beach club — think non-stop music, flowing drinks, and a lively energy that's tailored toward adults. Here, you'll find the world's largest swim-up bar, rentable day beds, another Paradise Grill, and more. 

Finally, Chill Beach was designed for guests who want a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful oceanfront spaces. Complete with beach bars, another pool and swim-up bar, and easy-access to local cuisine at the Paradise Grill, it’s the perfect spot to unwind without feeling overwhelmed by activity. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean offers two types of day passes to Royal Beach Club: the Open Bar Day Pass (Unlimited Open Bar & Dining) and the Non-Alcoholic Day Pass (Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks & Dining). 

Because of the day pass options, it’s worth noting that your Royal Caribbean drink packages don’t carry over to the Royal Beach Club. Even if you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you'll need to purchase the Open Bar Day Pass to enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages ashore. 

Read more: I visited Royal Caribbean's Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. The heated pools and all-inclusive pass fixed a long-standing problem

As Royal Caribbean nears the opening of its new beach club in Cozumel, Mexico later this year, they've made an announcement related to beach access.

As part of the company's dedication to community well-being and sustainable tourism, Royal Caribbean is developing new public beach access in the Zona Hotelera Sur area, a recent press release revealed. 

Public beach access in the Cozumel area has long faced challenges, including traffic conflicts, limited signage, and inadequate lighting. As such, relocating the path will ensure greater accessibility, improved safety, and enhanced facilities.

The cruise line plans to begin construction as soon as it obtains all of the necessary regulatory and environmental permits, with the current public beach access remaining open until the new facilities are fully operational.

Read more: We got our first look at Royal Caribbean's private beach club in Mexico

This new initiative aligns with Royal Caribbean's SEA the Future sustainability program. While the cruise line is focused on offering memorable vacation experiences aboard its fleet of ships and award-winning private destination portfolio, they want to do so in a way that sustains the planet, energizes local communities, and accelerates local innovation. 

Uplifting and upholding environmental preservation, economic development, and sustainability means that these destinations will be accessible and desirable for generations to come. 

"We are excited to bring the Royal Beach Club experience to Cozumel while ensuring that beach access, a right guaranteed under Mexican law, is available to all. This initiative reflects our dedication to creating shared value by improving safety, accessibility, and infrastructure for the community,” said Ari Adler Brotman, President, Royal Caribbean Mexico.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel is set to open in 2026

An official opening date has yet to be announced for the Royal Beach Club Cozumel. However, it's expected to open to cruise passengers in 2026. 

Like the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the next private destination is designed to operate as an extra-cost shore excursion, unlike the complimentary access guaranteed to everyone visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The main idea behind the new beach club is to give guests easy access to breathtaking ocean views and a curated beach experience unlike any other. 

At the Royal Beach Club Cozumel, patrons will find everything from swim-up bars to oceanfront pools, private cabanas, snorkeling opportunities, local street markets, tequila tastings, cooking classes, and more. 

Pricing and day pass availability have yet to be revealed by the cruise line. 

A new option has appeared on an upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise to offer a non all-inclusive admission to its new beach club.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is open only to Royal Caribbean Group passengers, and up until now it's been an all-inclusive product. 

But on one upcoming cruise, there's a new option that does not include drinks or food at all.  

So far it's only been spotted on one sailing, so it might be a test to gauge interest and demand. Here's what we know so far.

A cheaper day pass option

Royal Beach Club has offered two admission types: all inclusive alcohol, and all inclusive non-alcohol.

The Royal Beach Club Day Pass is a third option priced at $49.99.

The pass includes:

• Complimentary transportation
• Free Wi-Fi
• Umbrellas
• Loungers
• Towels
• Self-service water and juice

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus a variety of beach side bites will be available for purchase a la carte. Items will be available for purchase a la carte. Payments must be made using a credit card. 

Drink prices are listed at $16 to $17 per cocktail, and $8-9 for beers. 

According to Royal Caribbean, a la carte prices for dining options will range from $5.00 to $15.00 for a variety of entrees and sides. Kid menu options will also be available.

Of course, this day pass also gets you into the beach club and access to the beaches and pools. Royal Beach Club offers a full day of fun in both heated pools and access to exclusive beach access.

The advantage of this day pass is it's perfect for those that don't think they'd come close to getting value from paying for an all-inclusive pass. Those sorts of admission assume you'll eat and drink enough all day to get your money's worth from it.

Instead, this day pass means a lower entry for admission, which is good for those that want a great beach day without eating or drinking a lot.  Perhaps they plan to spend less time at the club, or are content with one or two food or drinks.

Is this a test or will this be a new option?

So far, we've only spotted this new third admission type on the Wonder of the Seas March 9th sailing.

Royal Caribbean has not announced or confirmed any details related to this pass, so we're working off this one entry in the Cruise Planner.

To provide context, here are the pricing for each admission type for this Wonder of the Seas sailing:

• Open Bar Day Pass: $95.99 per person
• Non-alcoholic Day Pass: $67.99 per person
• Day Pass: $49.99 per person

In the past, Royal Caribbean has experimented with offering a new option by first trialing it out on select sailings. Based on cruiser feedback and sale demand, these tests have either succeeded and the option became a widespread offering or was removed completely.

If you don't see it available on your visit to Nassau, there's nothing you can do to "get it".  If/when Royal Caribbean decides to expand the option, it will appear for sale.

Royal Beach Club is a new way to enjoy a shore excursion

The Royal Beach Club opened in late December, and Royal Caribbean has touted it as being "breathtakingly beautiful" and catering to what vacationers look for in a beach day.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, said it's the ultimate beach day and guest feedback has been incredibly high.

It's essentially a shore excursion designed, built. and operated by Royal Caribbean. This means they extend the same level of high satisfaction score guest experience to the island as guests are used to on their ships.

There are three different neighborhoods on the island, each with its own flavor: Family Beach, Party Cove, and Chill Beach. 

Family Beach has a zero-entry pool for all ages, Party Cove is the perfect place to pump up the vibes with DJ-spun beats, and Chill Beach offers tranquil serenity.

Listening to feedback, Royal Caribbean has made changes to its Royal Beach Club menu.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opened in late December 2025, and the cruise line has canvased every guest since then to gather comments about what they like and didn't like about the experience.

This is a new shore excursion that Royal Caribbean built exclusively for its customers in the heart of Nassau, Bahamas.

Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President Food & Beverage, talked to Royal Caribbean Blog exclusively about the new changes that have been implemented as of today.

His goal with the menu update is to provide a fresher and lighter array of choices. Just like any cruise ship, finding the right blend of food is critical.

More variety

All of the food is included with entry to the Royal Beach Club, which serves lunch for most of the day.

There are multiple Paradise Grill locations through the Royal Beach Club, but they all serve the same food so you don't have trek around the island to find one specific item.  All of the food is unlimited, you simply have to go to the counter and get something else.

One of the opportunities the cruise line saw to improve the experience was to add more choices to the menu and rework a few items.

In discussing the changes to the updated menu, Mr. D'Souza said they wanted to offer less fried food, while adding more variety and choice.

Gluten-free buns are available upon request.

The old menu

The new menu goes into effect today, and there's more variety and healthier choices too.

Compared to the old menu, it's gone from 18 to 33 items. The goal is to broaden up the choices, with simple fixed too. There's now a classic burger, as well as a kids menu.

The salads changed from fried chicken to grilled chicken breast, and there's now a Caesar salad option too.

Mr. D'Souza's team will begin collecting guest feedback again this weekend, which should get quite a test on Saturday when three Royal Caribbean ships are scheduled to visit Nassau.

In addition to the new menu, you'll also see new dessert options.

He thinks the desserts have been well-received so far (especially the pineapple ice cream), but they added new ice cream flavors and desserts to the desserts station.

There are gluten free options too

One early area of confusion surrounded gluten free choices.

Royal Caribbean has always offered a great array of gluten free food options on it ships. Handling allergies and special dietary needs has been something the line excels at.

Mr. D'Souza says there are gluten free options at the Royal Beach Club, thanks to a special bread they have for it.

My understanding is the gluten free bread can be substituted to replace anything on the menu that has bread in it.

Moreover, the QR code with allergies has also been updated to reflect all of the dietary information to share with guests.

A new kind of excursion experience

Having visited the Royal Beach Club, it's clear that Royal Caribbean built something that stands out from the rest with just about everything you'd want in a beach day.

Located a short 5 minute water taxi ride away from where the cruise ships dock, Royal Beach Club is split into three zones that offer a different ambiance.

Chill Beach is your traditional feet in the sand (or pool) tropical paradise. 

Access to blue turquoise ocean, a swim-up bar with views of the ocean, and powder white sand. It's practically a postcard backdrop.

Next to it is Party Cove, which has a giant structure meant to bring DJ music to everyone within earshot.  You can party in the pool, at your chairs, or opt to rent a party deck area for your VIP experience.

This is where you'll find the energy of the club, and it's for anyone that revels in music being a part of the pool party.

Lastly, there's family beach.  There's a large zero-entry pool with geysers to make it appealing to young children and their parents.  

Along with a giant swim-up bar, there's also a much larger beach that seemingly goes on forever. Plenty of space to spread out.

Admission is required to access the Royal Beach Club, which includes unlimited food, drinks, Wi-Fi, seating, and transportation back and forth to your ship.

The cost depends on your sail date, but prices range between $100 - $160 per person when purchased before the cruise begins. The onboard price if you wait is $250 per person.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a simple solution to a long-standing problem of cruise ship passengers finding a compelling and lovely way to spend the day in Nassau, Bahamas.

This new kind of shore excursion combines the best ideas Royal Caribbean had at its private islands, sprinkled in some new ideas, and built it in one of the best spots you could ever hope for in a tropical getaway.

It's definitely not a private island that's an extension of the ship. Rather, it's a Royal Caribbean built and designed optional excursion that applies what they know cruisers look for in a beach day.

Nassau is one of the most visited cruise ports in the Caribbean, but historically a lot of vacationers treated it like a sea day because the offerings had become stale.

I spoke with Jay Schneider, who is Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer and lead the development effort with the new beach club, about why Royal Caribbean built the new club, "We’ve heard from our guests that they’re looking for new and exciting experiences in Nassau."

"Over the last five to seven years, we’ve been on a mission to develop what we think is the ultimate beach day for them."

This new beach club is the answer people have openly asked for, and it's likely going to be a key differentiator for Royal Caribbean.

Open only to passengers of Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, guests pay an admission fee to enter the Royal Beach Club. There's dynamic pricing, but you can expect to pay around $100 - $200 per person if you pre-purchase a ticket. The list price onboard is $250 per person.

I paid for my day pass admission about 2 months before the cruise and it cost me $130 for the pass with unlimited alcohol.

I visited for the day while sailing on Utopia of the Seas and found the kind of beach and pool day that eclipsed anything else I've experienced in The Bahamas.

A new kind of day at the beach

I'm no stranger to day passes as a shore excursion. I've been to dozens of day passes around the Caribbean, including Atlantis and the British Colonial.

The difference with the Royal Beach Club is it offers more than any of those do, while adding superior service and convenience.

It appears Royal Caribbean took the best ideas from Perfect Day at CocoCay with Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club and used that as its starting point for the new beach club.

Mr. Schneider thinks the finished product sets a new standard, "This is the perfect beach day. I think the design here actually exceeds CocoCay’s — and I’d argue it rivals any beach and pool club on the planet."

Your day pass includes transportation from the ship to the beach club.  The piece of land is close enough to see from your cruise ship, but it's not connected to the cruise port. Instead, you board complimentary water ferries that take you there.

It's a short 5 minute ferry ride over, where you have the choice of stopping at either end of the property.

Royal Beach Club is 17 acres, split into three zones:

• Chill Beach
• Party Cove
• Family Beach

The names allude to the sort of vibe you can expect, but you can go to any of them and there's no adult-only areas.

Your day pass gets you access to any of the chairs and umbrellas, which are first-come, first-reserved. You can also get to any of the pools or hot tubs.

You also get unlimited food, drink, Wi-Fi, and ferry transportation. Towels are provided too, so there's no need to bring any from the ship.

All of the pools are heated, which is one of the best features because the ocean may not be optimal temperature year-round. Having been to unheated pools, it can be quite chilly. If you've been to Oasis Lagoon at CocoCay, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

One thing you'll notice quickly about the property is it's deceptively large. There's more than enough room to spread out.

You can stay as long as you like with ferries running continuously. 

One note about the ferry service is when you want to depart back to the ship, the ferry will drop you off at the far side of the Nassau cruise port.  

I timed the walk back to the ship, and it was about 15 minutes, including a line to go through security.  It's a lengthy walk and could be problematic during the hotter months with kids. After a long day of fun in the sun and surf, I could envision meltdowns on the long walk back.

Service as good as any cruise

One thing about the experience I was curious about was would it feel like an elevated day.  I was worried with everyone having unlimited food and drink, getting service would be a challenge.

My fears were quickly assuaged as my day progressed. Each area of the beach, pool and walkways has a server that's assigned to that area to get drinks.

If you sit down at a chair, there's a bartender there to take your order.  But if you go to a bar or swim-up bar, there's another group of bartenders there to take your drink order.

This makes it easy to meander and enjoy the entire beach club without being subject to one or two waiters, which is usually how it works at other day pass clubs I've been to in the Caribbean.

I was able to get my drinks quickly and there was a good mix of creative cocktails to sample, as well as tried-and-true favorites.

The only strange issue was at the swim-up bar where the bartenders needed to scan our SeaPass card for every drink. I found this strange considering it's all-inclusive so clearly we all get drinks. All it did was slow everything down (the bartender said it was for inventory management).

There are multiple restaurants in each zone, but it's the same menu at each one.  The idea is to make food service quick and convenient and to reduce trekking around to track down the food you want.

I'm not a food critic, but I think the food menu was good, not great.  I didn't love it as much as the Snack Shack location at Perfect Day, but Royal Caribbean overhauled the menu just days after my visit.

The chicken fingers were easily my favorite food, although they do have a kick to them even without the BBQ sauce.

I also think the chicken wrap and burger were quite satisfying.

Luxury options if you prefer more luxury in your beach day

In addition to the day passes, there are cabanas and day beds you could rent.

Each of them includes admission for a certain amount of people, and it comes with added service as well as private and reserved areas.

I generally like renting a cabana with my family because it offers a home base of operations, dedicated service, and shade.

If you have the budget for it, they are a fabulous way to splurge and elevate your day even further.  Your cabana host will bring you any food and drink you want (same menu as everywhere else), which means you never have to leave your private spot.

There are beach cabanas, pool cabanas, cabanas with views of both, and more. 

In fact, there's even an over-the-top Ultimate Family Cabana that costs $10,000 that looks incredible given how many amenities it has. 

Those with the money to spend, it has a private hot tub, beach area, two levels, frozen drink machine, and more.

A super excursion with everything you'd want for a day by the water

Is the Royal Beach Club worth it? I think so, given how much is included and how well it's all delivered.

I think a lot of families want a captivating spot for fun in the sun, and I think Royal Caribbean really delivered the beach/pool day experience most would want.

When comparing it to other day pass options in Nassau, none include as much or offer nearly as good amenities. 

Plus, the pool and beach set up are picture perfect. It feels like any spot you pick is worthy of a postcard because the views are stunning.

The beauty of the property really stood out to me, as the club delivers on the idyllic tropical setting I think so many people envision when they think about taking a Caribbean cruise.

"The entire site is breathtakingly beautiful — from the big design moments like the floating flamingo bar to the smallest details, including art from local Bahamian artists and even the design of back-of-house buildings," Schneider told me.

Plus, it's very close to where the ships are located. 

It's not a cheap excursion, but considering it's all-inclusive and includes transportation, I think it's worth the cost when you can take advantage of a pre-cruise sale that brings the price down to under $150 per person.

Royal Beach Club tips and advice

If you have the Royal Beach Club booked, here are some tricks and ways to maximize your visit.

Always prebook admission so you can save money. Do not wait to book it before the cruise begins.

It's a good idea to get to the island early. I'd recommend before 10am for pick of almost any spot. 

Don't bring towels. There are complimentary towels at the club, and they're much nicer than the blue ones your ship has.

There are beach wheelchairs and paved areas around, so accessibility should not be an issue.

If you want the quietest spots, head to the very end of either Family Beach or Chill Beach.  The further down the beach you go, it gets very secluded.

There's also complimentary reef-safe sunscreen provided at the towel stations and cabana check-in. No excuse for getting sunburned!

How cruise ship passengers look at a day spent in Nassau, Bahamas could be changing thanks to Royal Caribbean's new beach club.

Royal Caribbean has officially opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island earlier this week, and it's an exclusive shore excursion that the cruise line hopes will change how people view their day in port there.

Part of the impetus for building this club was to address low customer satisfaction scores with Nassau, according to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said of guest feedback of any port the cruise line visits.

The new beach club is aimed to reversing that and invigorating customers and the port itself.

According to an informal poll on Facebook, over 200 people in less than 24 hours said they're more likely to get off the ship now while in Nassau because of Royal Beach Club.

Most voted that it won't change how they spend their day.

One thing is clear, it's gotten the attention of a lot of people booked on an upcoming cruise.

Will the new Royal Beach Club in The Bahamas change your plans for visiting Nassau going forward?

Yes

"Changes everything about it, I’m booked on my next cruise Feb ‘26 and will probably book it for every single Nassau stop I have coming up. I always do the drink package and with the bundles it makes the RBC day pass cost insignificant." - Chris S.

"I plan to go at least once to try it out. Probably something I might do every once in awhile but not every time. The views look pretty nice from some of the pictures I’ve seen." - Brian L.

"I will gladly pay for it. Went once in 2024 and swore I’d never go back. With this we will definitely be going back 2026!" - Michele G,

No

"Wont change a thing. It's an excursion like anywhere else. Don't do others, wont do this." - Dieter D.

"We always stay on the ship now. Hope everyone gets off as we will be on Star for the first time and there is lots to explore." - Susan A.

Price is a factor

A number of responses pointed to their decision depends on how much a day pass to the Royal Beach Club costs.

Royal Caribbean employs dynamic pricing, which means the cost of a day pass depends on which ship you're sailing on, the date of your visit, and how many other passes have been sold.

In my experience, the price for a day pass that includes unlimited alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and food could cost between $119 - $250 per person.

"The price needs to come down before I will consider i." -  Kelly A.

"At that price? Not gonna change a thing." - Jacalyn B.

What makes RBC stand out

Royal Caribbean says going to its new club will "redefine the ideal beach day", and so far it's setting a high bar.

Having visited Royal Beach Club Paradise Island a few days before it officially opened, it seems Royal Caribbean wants to offer a convenient option to its guests for the best beach, pool, and party wrapped into one.

Because it's sold by the cruise line, it's easy to reserve. No researching or guessing which beach is the best and which one has what they need.  It's all inclusive, so everything is included.

Thanks to a short ferry ride over, it's also convenient and quick to get there.

On my visit to the new beach club, what stood out is Royal Caribbean brought in its best ideas from Perfect Day at CocoCay and consolidated it into this.

Every pool is heated, it has access to amazingly beautiful Bahamian ocean water, and it offers the choice of party or relax (or both).

If you've been to Coco Beach Club, Hideaway Beach, or Oasis Lagoon, then you'll quickly pick up on how those three concepts were clearly the inspiration for what we have in Nassau.

It's hard to go wrong with the formula that has already been popular with passengers at CocoCay.

I was excited for my first visit to Royal Caribbean's new beach club in The Bahamas, but a few things jumped out as surprises about this new offering.

I think the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is poised to become easily the best thing you can do in Nassau. It's a high quality, limited capacity, beach offering exclusive to Royal Caribbean cruisers and it includes everything you'd want.

I tracked this project since its early inception, but a few things about my day weren't what I expected.  After all, this is a shore excursion, and there are differences you should be aware of compared to any other shore excursion or a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Here are a few surprises and fun observations I made while at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Yes, the pools are heated

The number one question I've been asked since visiting the Royal Beach Club is about the pools.

Fear not, all of the pools are heated within the beach club. In fact, every beach club going forward will have heated pools.

Royal Caribbean recognized early on that having heated pools would be beneficial during the winter months, as The Bahamas can get warm, but not necessarily hot.

Combine that with strong breezes that are common for a barrier island that the club resides on, and having warm water is a good idea.

There's a mailbox to send postcards

A simple, yet fun idea was to include a mail drop on the island.

This beach club is not only in The Bahamas, but located within the country's capital of Nassau.  So mail service is possible since the beach club isn't located on a remote island, as CocoCay is.

The mail drop claims someone comes once a day to check it.  

Since you probably don't travel with postcards and international postage, they will sell you it at the nearby stand.  It costs about $4 to buy and send a postcard.

This can be a fun souvenir to send home and get later, or to share FOMO with friends and families that didn't come on the cruise.

There are very few power outlets, so bring a power brick

Maybe it's just me, but I wanted to capture all the moments from my day.  I think a lot of cruisers do too.

However, there's basically no power outlets to recharge your phone later.

The only power outlets I could find were in the cabanas that are available to rent.  I could not find power outlets at any of the bars or restaurants.

I recommend bringing a portable charger with you (like this one for just $20) so you won't run out of battery. (This link contains an affiliate link that costs you nothing extra, but I make a small commission)

You need to bring photo ID with you, even if you're just going to the beach club

Unlike a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, you need to take photo ID with you off the ship.

Royal Caribbean doesn't need it, but you'll need it before getting back on the ship.

When it's time to head back to the ship, the ferry will drop you off in the Nassau cruise port.  Even if you bypass all the shops and attractions, you need to show ID and your SeaPass card in order to get back on the pier and eventually the ship.

You could bring a passport, but a driver's license will work too. The port just wants to confirm you are who your SeaPass card claims to be.

The fritters don't have conch in them because it's not sustainable

In the name of research, I sampled everything on the menu at Paradise Grill. When I got to the "Fire Engine Fritters", something tasted different about it.

As it turns out, there's no conch in them.

I spoke with Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, and he said Royal Caribbean made the decision to not include conch because it's not a sustainable food.

The cruise line is very sensitive to environmental needs and being a part of solutions to protect the waters their ships visit.

The fritters weren't bad at all, and I thought with the "crack sauce" it came with had really good flavor.

Royal Caribbean hid security cameras in the lights

Maybe only I appreciate this level of "cruise nerd", but Royal Caribbean actually hid their security cameras so it doesn't take away from the tropical vibe.

An executive pointed out that they wanted the club's theming to really evoke a fun and tropical experience. Seeing hardware like a security camera detracts from it.

So if you pay close attention, the bottom of the lights on poles have a fisheye security camera that I would have never noticed until it was pointed out to me.

You can't use your SeaPass card to pay for anything in the beach club

I'm so used to CocoCay that I was a little surprised when I learned my SeaPass card wouldn't work on the island.

All the bars and souvenir shops take credit card, cash, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. 

In addition, it's a good idea to bring cash for tipping.

With just a week before its official grand opening, Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas is nearing completion.

Royal Caribbean invited me to experience this first-of-its-kind offering that it hopes will be a key differentiator from any competitor.

The beach club will open on December 23rd, but I got the chance to see most of the new club and what guests can expect when they arrive.

Let's take a tour of this new exclusive beach and party spot.

A new way to beach

Royal Caribbean built this beach club to offer something no one else has: combining a memorable cruise vacation with beach day add-on.

Located in Nassau, Bahamas it is strategically positioned to cater to many Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships that visit nearly every day.

Exemplifying how popular a port Nassau is, over 31,000 passengers visited the port on April 8, 2025.

Despite its record-breaking numbers, Nassau isn't the most popular cruise destination. Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, even noted that it falls within the bottom ten percent in overall guest demand.

Enter the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. This new experience is designed to appeal to guests who might otherwise stay on the ship or skip itineraries with Nassau. Its goal is to deliver on the high standards the cruise line has developed at other private destinations and on board its vessels. 

The 17-acre beach club gives Royal Caribbean and Celebrity passengers exclusive access to a pristine stretch of beach away from the crowds. 

The area is divided into three zones — Family Beach, Chill Beach, and Party Cove — to ensure that there's something for everyone. 

Chill Beach is a peaceful oceanfront area with a pool, swim-up bar, beachside bars, Paradise Grill, cabanas, and more.

According to the cruise line, must-try items at the Bahamian grill include the BBQ Black Bean Burger, Fire Engine Fritters, Pinwheel Shrimp Skewers with Guava Glaze, Bahama-Style Baked Mac & Cheese, and more. 

The Party Cove is the social hub of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and is primarily geared toward adults. 

The heart and soul of the area is the two-story Floating Flamingo Pool & Swim-Up Bar. The colorful, open-air structure serves as a visual focal point, setting the tone for lively fun.

Not only is the Floating Flamingo Swim-Up Bar the largest swim-up bar in the world, but it also features a resident DJ who keeps the energy high throughout the day, similar to the DJ at Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Another Paradise Grill location is situated within the Party Cove, ensuring guests have easy access to food, regardless of where they choose to spend their day.

Finally, Family Beach offers a casual, kid-friendly atmosphere with convenient access to food, drinks, and private spaces. It's home to the Shallow End Pool, a zero-entry pool with its own swim-up bar, as well as the third Paradise Grill location.

Unfortunately, the finishing touches are still being applied to this area, so I was unable to preview it.

However, this fun-filled area is where you'll find the two-story Ultimate Family Cabana, which goes for $10,000 per day. Despite its price, Royal Caribbean reports strong demand for the luxurious retreat.

The cabana includes a dedicated attendant and admission for up to 12 guests. Inside, families will find a private bathroom, a heated whirlpool, a spiral slide, a frozen drink machine, a television, and more. Don't worry, though — there are beachside and poolside cabanas that are more modestly priced, too. 

Admission to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is not included in your cruise fare. Similar to the Deluxe Beverage Package, the day passes are priced dynamically based on factors like the ship and sailing date. 

There are two types of passes available. The all-inclusive Day Pass with Unlimited Open Bar & Dining starts at $169.99 per person. 

Alternatively, the Day Pass with Non-Alcoholic Drinks & Dining is priced at $129.99 for guests ages 13 and older and $109.99 for children ages 4 to 12.

For a cruise aboard Utopia of the Seas in July 2026, the pre-cruise sale on the Cruise Planner has the Unlimited Open Bar pass listed at $139.99 per person, which highlights the value of booking in advance to secure the lowest pricing.

All inclusive, with food, drinks, and Wi-Fi

Something that makes the Royal Beach Club different is that it's all-inclusive.

Your day pass includes not just admission, but also unlimited food from the various restaurants around the club.

There's a mix of traditional favorites and Bahamian leaning cuisine too.

And of course, there's a wide selection of drinks too.

If you bought the non-alcoholic day pass, you could purchase individual alcoholic beverages.

The idea is to have the perfect beach experience, everything is already here waiting.

Bigger than I expected, and more chill too

After a few hours walking and exploring Royal Beach Club, it's clear how expansive this narrow strip of land truly is.

While it's narrow, it's also quite large. The total property is 17 acres in size, and while it may not seem that large when you see it from the ship, it feels much bigger when you arrive.

While one area wasn't open for my visit, I was still impressed how large the area feels. I'd call it deceptively large, and that means there's much more space to spread out and find your own area.

The other thing I loved immediately was how comfortable it felt, thanks to a strong breeze.

While December in The Bahamas is far from the hottest month of the year, there's a consistent breeze that helps keep things comfortable.

Depending on the time of year, there could be easterly trade winds or a fresh breeze.  Since it's kind of a barrier island, it enjoys more wind than if you were inland.  All of this means I think it may not feel as hot out as it is.

Royal Caribbean's first-ever private beach club is one step closer to welcoming guests. 

On Friday, December 12, the cruise line assembled a giant 43-foot Crown & Anchor logo at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

It's one of the — if not the largest — physical Crown & Anchor symbols in existence. 

"To put that in perspective, the Crown and Anchor on the side of the Star of the Seas is about 37-38 feet," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Product Innovation Officer, during the 2025 President's Cruise. 

That makes the structure in Nassau roughly 5-6 feet larger than the logo on one of the world's largest cruise ships. 

The assembly was livestreamed by PTZtv on the Port Nassau webcam, with all images in this blog courtesy of PTZtv. 

The massive, blocky components were lifted via crane and put into place piece by piece, almost like a gigantic LEGO set. 

Based on the webcam footage, it appears that the logo will be on the inward-facing side of Paradise Island, giving all cruise guests, Royal Caribbean or not, a clear view of the massive emblem as their ships sail into Nassau.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to officially open on December 23, 2025, with guests on Utopia and Radiance of the Seas among the first to experience the cruise line's first beach club destination. 

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, admission isn't included in your cruise fare. Rather, it's more akin to traditional shore excursions, with day passes available for purchase through the Cruise Planner or at the shore excursion kiosks on board.

There are different types of passes, with the most expensive starting at around $169.99/person and including everything from unlimited alcoholic beverages to lounge chairs and umbrellas, all-day dining, Wi-Fi, and more. 

As it stands, Royal Caribbean has two more beach clubs in the works: Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Royal Beach Club Santorini. 

Royal Caribbean also shared a short 17-second reel of the structure's construction

The time-lapse video starts with the construction crew building the center of the anchor before expanding outward.

A strong, core structure allowed the team to build the surrounding elements that give the logo its recognizable shape, with the crown's middle prong being the last piece added. 

The final few seconds of the clip show the sheer scale of the Crown & Anchor installation at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. 

The logo dwarfs everything from the two-story Party Cove to the restaurant shacks and the construction equipment below as the team works to get the finishing touches in place before the club’s grand opening. 

Other construction updates

There are just ten days to go before paying guests are welcomed to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island for the first time. 

This leaves little room for delay as everything must be fully operational by Dec. 23. 

While recent photos show that the beach club is coming together, there's still a lot of work to be done to ensure the destination is guest-ready. 

From afar, the colorful beach club is really taking shape. However, construction debris must be cleared, furniture arranged, and landscaping finished in under two weeks. 

Royal Caribbean is one step closer to breaking ground on its new beach club in Cozumel. 

The cruise giant submitted its required environmental impact study for approval, as reported by Riviera Maya News. This submission is an important milestone and one of the final hurdles before construction can officially begin. 

According to the INEGI Classification of Economic Activities, the Royal Beach Club Cozumel project is categorized within the tertiary sector, specifically under "cultural and sports entertainment services, and other recreational services."

This means that the beach club won't include hotels. Rather, it will focus on daily recreational activities, such as swimming, shopping, and dining. 

Royal Caribbean's environmental impact study adds that the beach club will generate a daily flow of visitors without overnight stays, consistent with the definition of economic units classified under sub-sector 713. 

The Royal Beach Club Cozumel is proposed to be located within the municipality of Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

The cruise line is taking an existing spot, the Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, and redeveloping it for its guests. This makes it one of the least invasive options, as it can utilize existing infrastructure and prior authorizations.

The site is located about 6.5 miles from Cozumel’s International Cruise Terminal and is roughly 42 acres. Of that acreage, about 13 acres are designated for the project's development, while 29 acres are designated as open areas. 

According to the environmental study, the landscaped green areas and surrounding natural areas will be preserved, restored, and left undisturbed. 

Moreover, Royal Caribbean plans to incorporate local natural materials, such as quarry stone and native woods, into the construction.

They will also finish with regional colors to create an atmosphere that complements Quintana Roo's coastal landscape.

Inside the beach club, guests can expect restaurants offering picturesque ocean views, a market-style food court with Mexican and other classic fast food options, and plenty of bars to stay "hydrated." In particular, the Royal Beach Club Cozumel will feature poolside bars that offer themed drinks throughout the day. 

Additionally, there will be private beach palapas (stilt houses); outdoor lounge areas with sun loungers, hammocks, and lounge chairs; shower and restroom facilities; and sports and beach activities. 

Read more: We got our first look at Royal Caribbean's private beach club in Mexico, and it looks stunning

The Royal Beach Club Cozumel is based on three fundamental pillars

The first, operational and recreational excellence, guarantees efficient services, comfort, and a high-value-added experience for tourists. 

The second pillar, environmental commitment, focuses on minimizing impact, respecting the natural environment, ensuring a responsible use of resources, and a harmonious integration with the ecosystem. 

Finally, the third pillar emphasizes the use of previously affected areas. Rather than build on untouched land, the Royal Beach Club Cozumel will be developed on a site where previously authorized facilities already exist (i.e., the Playa Mia Grand Beach Park). 

The Royal Beach Club Cozumel project is estimated to have a useful life of 26 years and 3 months. 1 year and 3 months constitute the preparation and construction phases, leaving the remaining 25 for the operation and maintenance phases. 

When will the Royal Beach Club Cozumel open?

Royal Caribbean hasn't released an official opening date. However, the brand-new beach club is expected to welcome guests in 2026. 

According to Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s Chief Product Innovation Director, work began around May 2025. 

If the timeline is consistent with the environmental impact proposal, that would indicate an opening in August or September 2026. This is simply speculation and has not been confirmed by Royal Caribbean. 

Similar to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the Royal Beach Club Cozumel is a bookable shore excursion. The experience comes with an extra cost, unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, where guests can enjoy the island's beaches for free.