Nassau, Bahamas offers beautiful beaches, high-end resorts, a famous straw market, and shopping for everything from trinkets to high-end jewelry. You can get a cheap meal from a local eatery, experience the tourist tradition that is Senor Frogs or tour local rum distilleries.
It's a wonderful place to visit, but it has some drawbacks as well. Vendors can be very aggressive (especially in the straw market) and some parts of the town feel safer than others. The city still has not fully recovered from the long period when the Bahamas was closed to tourists during the pandemic.
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In addition, many cruise passengers have simply been to Nassau more than a few times. Since the city's cruise port can accommodate up to seven cruise ships at a time, a lot of Caribbean cruises stop there. In fact, if you sail many Royal Caribbean (RCL) or Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) itineraries from Florida, there's a really good chance you will make a stop in Nassau.
That makes Nassau a stay-on-the-ship port for some passengers while others book a pricey beach day or resort excursion. Royal Caribbean fully understands that Nassau may not be everyone's favorite destination and the cruise line is doing something to fix that which will give it a major edge over Carnival (and every other cruise line that calls on Nassau).
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Royal Caribbean Is Opening a Beach Club
Royal Caribbean has had tremendous success with its Perfect Day at CocoCay private island. The cruise line took the concept of a private island -- usually just a beach with some bars and a barbecue -- and amped it up, adding a pool, an added-fee waterpark, and a beach club that also costs extra.
Now, the cruise line has confirmed a plan to build a version of its private island on a 17-acre parcel of land on Paradise Island, a short drive or ferry ride from the Nassau cruise port. The cruise line confirmed the project in March, stressing that it's a joint operation with the Bahamas (which has not ended all local opposition).
The 17-acre destination experience coming to the western end of Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas, will combine the island’s striking beaches with the cruise line’s signature experiences to create the ultimate beach day – The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island.
Crafted in close collaboration with the Bahamian government, the new project will feature a public-private partnership in which Bahamians will be invited to own up to 49% equity. Local businesses and entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to manage the vast majority of the experience. Overall, the new venture will generate hundreds of jobs across its construction and long-term operation.
The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will offer four distinct beaches, an infinity-edge pool, and multiple dining venues and bars. Two of the beaches will be open to the ocean (meaning they may have waves, while the other two will be facing the cruise port and should have calm waters.
In addition, the cruise line will rent private cabanas, offer an adults-only pool, and offer snorkeling as well as other water sports.
The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island Will Cost You
Unlike, CocoCay, which is included in the cost of your cruise, The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will cost extra. The cruise line has not shared the price, but it's likely to be fairly affordable given that the club will accommodate nearly 4,000 people. Even if Royal Caribbean has two ships in port, which it often does, that's a fairly high capacity.
Like all Royal Caribbean pricing, the cost for the Beach Club is likely to be demand-based. That means that if two Oasis-class carrying roughly 12,000 passengers combined are in port, then perhaps the price would go up, but it's likely the cruise line prices a 4-5 hour pass at the new club below the $90-$130 a typical beach day with included food experience currently costs.
"The day pass will include beach club access, lunch, and the rental of a beach chair. It does not include alcohol and soda, cabanas, day beds, watersport activities, and local tours," according to the Royal Caribbean Blog, which is not affiliated with the cruise line.
With pricing, the key here is that Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and other cruise lines all sell similar Nassau excursions. If the Beach Club undercuts those prices while offering a comparable (or superior) experience, then it gives the cruise line a major edge over its rivals.
Royal Caribbean Will Offer a CocoCay Favorite
And, while the full dining lineup has not been released, a popular CocoCay favorite will be included.
"In addition to the food halls are three Snack Shack locations, which serve grab-and-go food including chicken sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, french fries, and mozzarella sticks. This venue is a favorite among cruise fans; three locations are also found at Perfect Day at CocoCay," wrote Royal Caribbean Blog's Matt Hochberg.
Passengers will have the option of taking a water taxi from the cruise port to the beach club, which will be opening in 2025.
