Royal Caribbean's $110 Million Beach Club Opens in 6 Days—And It's Nothing Like CocoCay
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island debuts December 23 with a two-story swim-up bar, three distinct zones, and all-inclusive pricing starting at $109. Here's what makes it different.
The countdown is on. In less than a week, Royal Caribbean will open the doors to its first-ever beach club destination—and the cruise line is betting $110 million that guests will love what Nassau has been missing.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island officially opens December 23, 2025, transforming 17 acres of Paradise Island into an all-inclusive resort exclusively for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers. According to Royal Caribbean Blog, the opening comes after months of construction and represents a dramatic departure from the cruise line’s wildly popular Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Why Nassau Needed This
Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley didn’t mince words about Nassau’s challenges. The port ranked in the “bottom ten percent in overall guest demand,” he revealed during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 13. That’s a stunning admission for one of the Caribbean’s most iconic cruise destinations.
The beach club aims to solve that problem by giving Nassau what CocoCay already has: a controlled, curated experience that guests actually want to book.
Three Zones, Three Completely Different Vibes
Unlike CocoCay’s sprawling layout, the Royal Beach Club divides its 17 acres into three distinct zones designed for different types of travelers.
Chill Beach targets guests seeking relaxation. The oceanfront area features a temperature-controlled pool, swim-up bar, beachside bars, the Paradise Grill restaurant, and cabanas for rent. It’s the tranquil escape for cruise passengers who want to read a book and avoid the party crowd.
Party Cove flips the script entirely. This adults-only zone centers around The Floating Flamingo—a two-story swim-up bar that Royal Caribbean claims will be the world’s largest. A resident DJ keeps the energy high while guests float between the bar’s upper and lower levels. This is where the social atmosphere lives.
Family Beach rounds out the trio with zero-entry pools, kid-friendly amenities, and its own swim-up bar and dining options. Parents get the convenience of shallow water and nearby food without sacrificing the all-inclusive experience.
The separation strategy ensures that families with toddlers, couples seeking romance, and groups looking to party don’t end up competing for the same space—a common complaint at traditional beach destinations.
The Pricing Model That Changes Everything
Here’s where the Royal Beach Club diverges sharply from Perfect Day at CocoCay. Access isn’t included in your cruise fare. Instead, guests purchase day passes like they would for any other shore excursion.
The pricing structure breaks down into three tiers:
- All-Inclusive Day Pass with Unlimited Alcohol: Starting at $169.99 per adult
- Non-Alcoholic Day Pass (Ages 13+): $129.99
- Non-Alcoholic Day Pass (Ages 4-12): $109.99
All passes include unlimited food, non-alcoholic beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and round-trip transportation from the cruise terminal. The alcohol pass adds unlimited cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits.
Early booking discounts appear to be available. Advance reservations for Utopia of the Seas sailings in July 2026 showed the unlimited alcohol pass at $139.99—a $30 discount from the standard rate.
For guests who want to go all-in, the Ultimate Family Cabana costs $10,000 per day and accommodates up to 12 people. That price includes a dedicated attendant, private bathroom, heated whirlpool, spiral slide into the ocean, frozen drink machine, and TV. It’s an absurd luxury, but it exists.
What the First Guests Will Experience
Utopia of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will bring the first passengers to the beach club on December 23. Royal Caribbean has been building anticipation with preview tours and media coverage, showing off the property’s Bahamian-inspired architecture and dining options.
The layout may be narrow, but early reports suggest the property “feels deceptively large” thanks to thoughtful design and the consistent ocean breezes that keep the tropical heat manageable.
Unlike CocoCay, which requires a dedicated sailing to reach, the Royal Beach Club sits in Nassau—already a regular port of call for dozens of Royal Caribbean ships. That geographic advantage means the beach club can serve far more vessels without disrupting existing itineraries.
The Broader Strategy
This opening represents the first step in Royal Caribbean’s beach club expansion. The cruise line has already announced plans for additional beach clubs in Cozumel, Mexico, and other Caribbean locations.
The model is clear: transform underperforming ports into controlled, high-quality destinations that command premium pricing while improving guest satisfaction. It’s a win for the cruise line (new revenue stream), a win for guests (better port experiences), and potentially a win for local economies (infrastructure investment and jobs).
Whether Nassau’s transformation succeeds will depend on guest reception. But with the opening just days away, we won’t have to wait long to find out.