The Port Everyone Used to Skip:
Why Royal Caribbean's Royal Beach Club Could Make Nassau One of Your Favorite Cruise Stops
If you’ve cruised the Caribbean more than once, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve looked at an itinerary, seen Nassau, Bahamas, and thought:
Maybe we’ll just stay on the ship that day.
And I get it.
Nassau has been a staple on Bahamas and Caribbean cruise itineraries for years. For repeat cruisers especially, it hasn’t always been the port that makes you excited to book a particular sailing. In fact, I’ve talked to plenty of cruisers who treat Nassau as their unofficial “enjoy the ship while everyone else gets off” day.
But Royal Caribbean may have just changed that.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is now open in Nassau, and it gives Royal Caribbean guests a completely different way to spend their port day.
Instead of figuring out transportation, researching beaches, comparing day passes, or trying to decide what to do in Nassau, you can essentially turn your Nassau stop into an all-inclusive Royal Caribbean beach day.
And suddenly, Nassau looks a whole lot more interesting.
What Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is Royal Caribbean’s private beach club experience located on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas.
It officially opened in December 2025 and is available to Royal Caribbean guests visiting Nassau as a shore excursion experience.
Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, where access to the island is included with your cruise fare, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island requires a separate day pass.
That distinction is important.
This isn’t another private-island port included with your cruise. Think of it more like an all-inclusive shore excursion created specifically for Royal Caribbean guests.
Once you’ve booked your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can purchase your Royal Beach Club day pass through the Royal Caribbean app or My Royal Cruise. Availability is limited, so this isn’t necessarily something I’d recommend waiting until you’re onboard to decide.
What's Included With a Royal Beach Club Day Pass?
This is where Royal Beach Club starts getting interesting.
Your day pass includes many of the things people normally have to piece together when planning a beach day in Nassau.
Depending on the pass you purchase, your Royal Beach Club experience includes:
- Access to two beaches
- Three pools
- Unlimited dining
- Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages
- Unlimited alcoholic beverages for guests 21+ with the Open Bar Day Pass
- Roundtrip transportation from the Nassau Cruise Port
- Wi-Fi
- Lounge chairs and umbrellas
- Beach towels
- Lockers
- Showers and restrooms
- Beach games
- Live music and DJs
There are also three swim-up bars and seven additional beach bars throughout the property.
For families or groups wanting something more private, Royal Caribbean also offers upgraded experiences including day beds, cabanas, a VIP Party Deck and an Ultimate Family Cabana.
There Are Different Areas Depending on the Kind of Beach Day You Want
One of the things I like most about the concept of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is that Royal Caribbean didn’t design the entire destination around one type of cruiser.
Want to relax?
You can find a chair, grab something to eat and spend your day going back and forth between the beach and pool.
Traveling with kids?
The family-focused area includes a zero-entry pool and activities designed for younger guests.
Want something livelier?
Head toward the party area and The Floating Flamingo, which Royal Caribbean calls the world’s largest swim-up bar.
That means a family with younger kids, a couple looking for a relaxing beach day and a group of friends wanting drinks and music could all enjoy Royal Beach Club very differently.
And that matters when I’m helping someone decide whether an excursion is actually worth adding to their cruise.
Getting There Is Surprisingly Easy
This may be one of the biggest selling points for me.
Transportation between the Nassau Cruise Port and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is included with your day pass.
After leaving the ship, you’ll follow signs toward Royal Caribbean’s complimentary ferry transportation. Ferries operate throughout Beach Club hours.
That eliminates one of the things that can make planning an independent port day feel stressful, especially for first-time cruisers.
You don’t need to find a taxi driver.
You don’t need to negotiate transportation.
You don’t need to figure out exactly where you’re going.
And you don’t need to coordinate your own transportation back to the cruise port afterward.
Royal Caribbean has essentially packaged the entire experience together.
Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island the Same as Perfect Day at CocoCay?
No, and this is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about Royal Beach Club.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is a Royal Caribbean private-island destination and general admission is included when your ship visits the island.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is an optional, paid experience during a port call in Nassau.
So if your cruise visits both Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, you could potentially have two very different beach days.
CocoCay offers everything from complimentary beaches and pools to additional experiences such as Thrill Waterpark and Hideaway Beach.
Royal Beach Club is designed more like an all-inclusive beach club experience. You purchase admission, and your dining, beverages based on your pass type, transportation, Wi-Fi and many beach amenities are bundled into the experience.
They’re not interchangeable, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the same thing to every traveler.
What Does Royal Beach Club Cost?
This is one area where I don’t recommend relying on a random price you see online.
Royal Caribbean states that pricing varies by sailing, so the price someone paid for Royal Beach Club on their cruise may not be what you’ll see for yours.
Once your cruise is booked, you’ll be able to see the current price for your sailing inside the Royal Caribbean app or My Royal Cruise.
There are two primary day-pass options:
Royal Beach Club Day Pass with Unlimited Open Bar, Dining & Wi-Fi
This includes alcoholic beverages for guests ages 21 and older, non-alcoholic beverages, dining and the other general Beach Club amenities.
Royal Beach Club Day Pass with Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Dining & Wi-Fi
This includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, dining and the general Beach Club amenities. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased separately.
And here’s something important if you already purchased a Royal Caribbean beverage package: You still need a Royal Beach Club day pass.
Your onboard beverage package does not replace admission to the Beach Club.
So...Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Worth It?
This is where I put my travel advisor hat on, because the answer isn’t simply yes or no.
It depends on what you want from Nassau.
If your goal is to explore Nassau, visit historic sites, experience more of the local destination or spend time somewhere like Atlantis, Royal Beach Club may not be the best use of your port day.
But if what you really want is an easy beach day where almost everything has already been figured out for you, Royal Beach Club becomes much more compelling.
I’d especially consider it for:
- Families who want a simple beach day without arranging transportation
- First-time cruisers who are nervous about exploring a port independently
- Multigenerational families who need something different ages can enjoy
- Couples who primarily want to relax
- Groups who want a fun pool and beach atmosphere
- Repeat cruisers who have visited Nassau before and want something different
That’s why I don’t think the question should be: “Is Royal Beach Club worth the money?”
The better question is: “Is Royal Beach Club worth the money for the kind of port day you want?”
Those are two very different questions.
Don't Count Nassau Out Anymore
For years, Nassau has been one of those ports that experienced cruisers sometimes overlook.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island gives Royal Caribbean guests a reason to reconsider that.
You can step off your ship, take Royal Caribbean’s included ferry to Paradise Island and spend your day with beaches, pools, food, drinks and entertainment without having to plan all of those pieces separately.
Then you head back toward the ship when you’re finished.
That’s a very different Nassau day than many repeat cruisers remember.
So the next time you’re comparing Royal Caribbean itineraries and see Nassau, Bahamas listed as one of the ports?
Don’t automatically count it out.
It might end up being one of your favorite days of the cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island open?
Yes. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island officially opened in December 2025 and is available to Royal Caribbean cruise guests visiting Nassau.
Where is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is located on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Transportation between the Nassau Cruise Port and the Beach Club is included with your day pass.
Is Royal Beach Club included with a Royal Caribbean cruise?
No. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is an optional shore excursion. Guests must purchase a day pass to enter. Children ages 3 and younger receive complimentary admission.
Does a Royal Beach Club day pass include food?
Yes. All-day dining is included with Royal Beach Club Paradise Island day passes.
Are drinks included at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?
Yes, but what’s included depends on your pass. Royal Caribbean offers a pass with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and another with an unlimited open bar for eligible guests ages 21 and older.
Can I use my Royal Caribbean drink package at Royal Beach Club?
Having an onboard Royal Caribbean beverage package does not give you admission to Royal Beach Club. You still need to purchase a Beach Club day pass. Royal Caribbean also offers certain beverage-package and Beach Club bundles on eligible sailings.
Are chairs and umbrellas included at Royal Beach Club?
Yes. Lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels are included, along with Wi-Fi, lockers, showers and restrooms.
How do you get from the Nassau Cruise Port to Royal Beach Club?
Roundtrip ferry transportation is included with your Royal Beach Club day pass. After leaving the ship, guests follow signs toward Royal Caribbean’s ferry transportation at the pier.
Should I book Royal Beach Club before my cruise?
I recommend booking ahead if Royal Beach Club is a priority for your vacation. Royal Caribbean states that space is limited, and pricing and availability vary by sailing.
Planning a Royal Caribbean Cruise?
Choosing the right cruise is about much more than finding a ship and picking a date.
The ship, itinerary, stateroom, dining options and what you plan to do in each port can completely change the experience.
When I plan a Royal Caribbean vacation, I help my clients look at the whole trip so we’re choosing the cruise that actually fits the way they want to vacation.
And yes, that includes deciding whether Nassau should be a stay-on-the-ship day…
or your new favorite beach day.
Ready to start planning your Royal Caribbean vacation? Request a personalized vacation proposal and let’s find the right ship, itinerary and experiences for you.
