Most large cruise ships sailing out of Florida stop in Nassau.
It’s a large port with a dock that can support up to seven ships at a time, and there’s no limit to the size of the ships that can stop there.
Nassau, however, has a number of problems. First, many regular cruisers have been there multiple times. They’ve seen the port, visited many of the special sites, and had their full share of the shopping and dining opportunities.
Related: Royal Caribbean shares its strict, new beverage policy
In addition, Nassau has become a port known for pushy vendors. That used to just be in the straw market, but now, in the post-pandemic world, many of the vendors are very aggressive. There are also people pushing illegal wares that are not all that subtle about it.
For all those reasons, many Royal Caribbean (and other cruise line) passengers consider Nassau a “stay on the ship” port.
That’s not necessarily fair to Nassau.
You can walk to a wonderful beach in Nassau that does not cost a dime extra. There’s some very good food close to the port and some quality shopping if you are willing to put up with the overall tenor of the shopping area.
Still, for many cruise ship passengers, this has become a stay on the ship port. That’s something Royal Caribbean hopes to change with its latest private destination.
The cruise line has shared some info about when that destination will open and what it will offer.
The Atlantis has long been a possible, but expensive Nassau shore excursion.
Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com
Royal Caribbean builds a new concept
Cruise line private islands have long been a staple of the Caribbean/Bahamas sailing model. Royal Caribbean set a new standard for cruise ship private islands when it overhauled its island and turned it into Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The cruise line added a dock — meaning that small “tender” ships no longer had to be used to visit the island— installed a massive pool and built an added fee waterpark, beach club, and adults-only area. Visitors could still have a classic free beach day, but Royal Caribbean added ways to spend money for richer experiences.
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Royal Caribbean will transform its port stops in Nassau beginning late next year when it launches the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, the first beach club destination in its Royal Beach Club Collection. The 17-acre beach club will combine the beaches of Paradise Island in Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s signature experiences to create an all-inclusive beach day.
Basically, it’s a new take on Perfect Day that will cost an added fee rather for all visitors.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will include:
Two beaches, three seaside Paradise Grills serving locally inspired fare, over 40 cabanas available for rental, water taxi transportation to and from the beach club, local artisan shops, loungers, towel stations, and more – all designed with Bahamian influence. Three zones curated with a unique vibe, each with their own pool and swim-up bar: Family Beach: Designed for families to make memories together, vacationers can stay and play all day in the zero-entry pool, The Shallow End, at Family Beach and with beach games like jumbo tumbling tower, cornhole and paddleball Plus, vacationers can kick back and relax to a whole new level with the Ultimate Family Cabana – a one-of-its-kind exclusive retreat with two stories of amenities, including a thrilling slide, dedicated whirlpool, frozen drink machine and more.Party Cove: Party Zone is an unmatched beachfront party with the world’s largest swim-up bar, The Floating Flamingo, as well as its own infinity pool, live DJ, and VIP section.Chill Beach: Vacationers can unwind and spend the day relaxing beachside at Chill Beach or poolside at The Deep End while enjoying the picturesque scenery.
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Slated to open in December 2025, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be the first Beach Club to join the cruise line’s growing destination lineup, which includes Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti. Royal Beach Club Cozumel will follow in 2026 as well as Perfect Day Mexico in Quintana Roo in 2027.
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