There's a new option for spending a port day while in Nassau, one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. But not just anyone can access it.
Royal Caribbean guests now can purchase access to the company's new beach club on Paradise Island.
The property, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, opened in late December, and advisors say it's a good fit for cruise guests who are looking for a tranquil beach or pool day or are in search of a party vibe.
Unlike other private cruise destinations, however, there's an entry fee, so advisors will want to understand exactly what's offered and how it compares to other Caribbean cruise experiences with Royal Caribbean to determine which clients might be most interested in this option.
Triple treat
The beach club stretches along the narrow slice of Paradise Island right next to where Royal Caribbean ships dock. It is only accessible by ferry; brightly colored boats travel to and from the cruise port all day.
The club is divided into three areas. Farthest east is Chill Beach, with a pool and beach in what Royal Caribbean considers the most relaxed and quiet of the three neighborhoods. In the center is Party Cove, the loudest area, with a pool, a swim-up bar and an all-day DJ. To the west is Family Beach, much like Chill Beach but with a zero-entry pool designed with youngsters in mind.
Day passes include food, which can be accessed at three eateries stationed throughout the property. Alcohol-inclusive day passes can be purchased at a higher price. There are 10 bars at the beach club, and there are also attendants who take drink orders and deliver beverages to guests' chairs.
The view of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island from the Wonder of the Seas. Photo Credit: Teri West
Advisor feedback
I spoke to three advisors who visited Royal Beach Club Paradise Island within its first month of opening -- one who did so the first week. Each described it as a peaceful, passive beach or pool day with plenty of space to themselves and superb service.
Les Watson, a Millville, N.J.-based advisor at Dream Vacations franchise Trapper Martin, Shane Smartt & Associates, spent most of the day poolside at Chill Beach.
"You can just sit and relax and enjoy your drink and just look at the beautiful water," he said. "It is beautiful."
RacQuelle Major-Holland, the owner of Major Adventures Travel Agency in Columbus, Ohio, also opted to hunker down at Chill Beach for most of the day but spent the morning at Party Cove.
A party atmosphere got going there around 11:30 a.m. once the place started to fill in, with the DJ switching up musical genres and the staff and guests dancing.
"You can't hear someone talking, that's how loud it was," Major-Holland said. "I enjoyed that the pool was a temp-controlled. It wasn't a cold pool at all."
Alison Tracy and her 11-year-old son spent most of their time at Family Beach enjoying the pool, having lunch and later playing water basketball.
"We gravitate toward quieter environments, so spending time on the Family Beach side and Chill Beach fit our preferred vibe perfectly," said Tracy, a Titusville, Pa.-based advisor with Madson & Associates, a Dream Vacations franchise.
She said the beach club felt larger than she expected, and all three advisors I spoke with said it felt spacious and uncrowded. While it approached the 3,800 to 4,000 capacity in its first month, it hadn't yet maxed out, according to Royal Caribbean.
Tracy also said the cabanas "looked fantastic, with plush seating, beautiful views, stocked minifridges and pool floats included."
Major-Holland found the design of the destination strongly reminiscent of Perfect Day at CocoCay, minus the active recreation of CocoCay's waterpark and hot air balloon.
One possibility clients should be aware of is weather-related closures. Heavy winds due to a winter frontal system meant strong waves on the day I was scheduled to visit; I learned the beach club would be closed via a shipwide announcement from the captain while I was eating breakfast.
Booked guests receive refunds in the event of a closure.
The Party Cove, which has a DJ and swim-up bar, sits between the two beaches. Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Group
The right fit
The decision to match a client to the Royal Beach Club experience comes down to what that client is looking for and how much they're willing to spend.
The cost of day passes fluctuates by sailing and the time of booking. Watson said he has seen them go for as low as $93 and as high as $250.
At the most basic level, guests are paying for exclusivity, space, convenience and a premium beachfront space to either relax or party. Whether that alone is worth the price depends on the client.
For a family traveling with children, that relaxing day at the beach could quickly approach or exceed $500, which advisors described as hefty for many of their Royal Caribbean clients.
During her visit, Major-Holland found the demographic of guests at the beach club to be similar to that aboard her cruise, except for one aspect: there were fewer children.
"I wonder if some families are shying away from the added expense just to have a pool and beach day," she said.
Guests who will also visit CocoCay on the same itinerary may not be happy paying for an experience that in many ways duplicates that complementary one, Major-Holland said.
The price tag may also lead guests to have higher expectations for the food than they do on the ship or at CocoCay. Major-Holland said she preferred the food at CocoCay to Royal Beach Club. Royal Caribbean chief product innovation officer Jay Schneider said the company has updated the menu in response to guest feedback.
But cruisers who aren't too worried about the cost will enjoy the convenience of a curated, relaxing beach or pool day in the Caribbean. That may be adults on group trips like a bachelorette party or multigenerational families renting a cabana.
"It's going to attract those that like a premium experience," Major-Holland said.
Part of that premium experience is the exclusivity, Watson said. Only Royal Caribbean guests can visit, and it's not large enough for every Royal Caribbean guest in port to get in.
He expects it to feel less crowded than CocoCay as a result.
"Some people may be looking for that," Watson said.