Royal Caribbean's New Private Beach Club in Vanuatu Goes on Sale Today
Royal Caribbean opened bookings for Royal Beach Club Lelepa, its first private destination in the South Pacific, launching in Vanuatu in October 2027 with no-pool, no-Wi-Fi beaches included in the cruise fare.
After years of investing in private destinations across the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean is taking the concept to the other side of the world. As of today, the cruise line is officially accepting reservations for sailings to Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a brand-new exclusive destination opening in northwest Vanuatu in October 2027.
According to Royal Caribbean Blog’s coverage of the announcement, this marks the line’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific — and it’s designed to feel fundamentally different from its counterparts in Nassau and Cozumel.
What Makes Lelepa Different From Royal Caribbean’s Other Beach Clubs
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club in Nassau opened to significant fanfare. Cozumel is close behind. Both follow a familiar model: modern resort amenities, heated freshwater pools, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a separately ticketed day pass.
Lelepa breaks that mold entirely.
Entry is included in your cruise fare — no additional day pass required. There are no pools. There is no Wi-Fi. And the design philosophy leans heavily into something the Nassau and Cozumel clubs are not: raw, uninterrupted nature.
The destination features two distinct beaches. East Beach is positioned as the family-friendly option, with loungers, umbrellas, and beach games including volleyball, cricket, and cornhole. West Beach is oriented toward adventure travelers. A dedicated adults-only area (18+) and a Nature Trail round out a more low-key, environment-first concept.
Two restaurants and four beach bars will handle food and beverage — all included in the cruise fare, with dietary accommodations available. Optional paid upgrades include day beds, watersport equipment (kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear), and shore excursions.
The absence of pools and Wi-Fi is not an oversight. It appears to be a deliberate positioning choice — a signal that Lelepa is meant to be a genuine escape rather than an extension of resort life.
The Ships and Itineraries
The first two ships to call at Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, sailing from Sydney and Brisbane. The first sailings with Lelepa calls are expected to depart at the end of October 2027.
For Australian and New Zealand cruisers, this is significant. Royal Caribbean has operated in the South Pacific for years, but the region has never had a dedicated private beach destination in the Royal Caribbean portfolio. Adding Lelepa to Anthem and Voyager itineraries gives the line a proprietary anchor stop in a part of the world where it previously had none.
Guests reach the island via tender from the ship — a nod to the destination’s remote, relatively undeveloped nature. The tender transfer is covered and included.
Why Vanuatu — and Why Now
Vanuatu is an archipelago of roughly 80 islands east of Australia, known for its volcanic landscapes, exceptional diving, and some of the most biodiverse coral reef systems in the Pacific. It’s not a mainstream cruise destination by any historical measure, but it has been a feature of South Pacific itineraries for years precisely because of its natural appeal.
For Royal Caribbean, building its first South Pacific private destination here carries both commercial and reputational logic. The Australia-New Zealand cruise market has been growing steadily, and dedicated port infrastructure — in this case, purpose-built exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests — gives the line a differentiator that competitors can’t easily replicate.
There’s also a broader trend at work. Royal Caribbean has invested heavily in private destinations over the past decade: Perfect Day at CocoCay was transformative for the company’s financials, demonstrating that owned destination infrastructure can drive meaningful revenue per passenger. Nassau’s Royal Beach Club is the next chapter. Lelepa suggests the strategy is now going global.
What This Means for South Pacific Cruisers
If you’ve been eyeing a South Pacific sailing from Sydney or Brisbane, the addition of Royal Beach Club Lelepa changes the itinerary calculus.
Vanuatu has always been a draw on Pacific itineraries, but port calls there typically mean public beaches, independent exploration, and the logistical uncertainty that comes with any non-private destination. A dedicated, inclusive beach club removes most of that variability. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting — two beaches, included dining, optional watersports — and entry doesn’t cost extra.
The no-pool, no-Wi-Fi design will not suit everyone. Travelers accustomed to the amenity density of CocoCay or Nassau’s Royal Beach Club may find Lelepa comparatively sparse. But for guests who want genuine seclusion in a genuinely beautiful corner of the Pacific, that minimalism is likely the point.
Bookings Are Open Now
Sailings with Lelepa calls went on sale today in the U.S. (March 18, 2026 EDT) and will be available in Australia on March 19, 2026 AEDT. Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are the vessels to watch.
The destination doesn’t open until October 2027, so there’s runway before anyone actually sets foot on those beaches. But if South Pacific cruising is on your radar — and Royal Caribbean itineraries from Australia are on the table — this is the moment to start looking at what’s available.
Source: Royal Caribbean Blog