Most large cruise ships sailing out of Florida stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
It's a large port with a dock that can support as many as 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's port has become known for pushy vendors. That used to just be in the straw market (a market of local goods), but in the postpandemic world many of the vendors have become very aggressive. Some people also are pushing illegal wares and are not all that subtle about it.
For these reasons many passengers on Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines consider Nassau a "stay on the ship" port.
That's not necessarily fair to Nassau.
In Nassau you can walk to a wonderful beach that does not cost a dime extra. You can find 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, many cruisers stay on the ship at Nassau. And 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.
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 ships called tenders no longer had to be used to visit the island. And it installed a massive pool and built an added-fee water park, 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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Beginning late next year Royal Caribbean will transform its port stops in Nassau 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 be free 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 its 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 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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