Nassau is one of those ports where a lot of cruisers stay onboard… and honestly, I get why. But on this sailing, we booked a day pass to Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island, and it completely changed the way I look at a Nassau port day when sailing Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.
This is Royal’s “elevated beach day” concept: multiple beach and pools with swim-up bars, upgraded amenities, solid food, strong drinks, and enough space to choose your own vibe—whether you want a party, a family-friendly pool day, or a quiet infinity-pool moment staring out at the ocean.
Here’s exactly how our day went, what stood out, what I’d do differently next time, and whether I think it’s worth the price.
Getting There: The Quick Boat Ride Over
We ate breakfast on the ship and walked off, and I’ll be honest: the pickup spot wasn’t immediately obvious at first. We asked a crew member and found the dedicated area where the small boats/ferries were loading.
Once we were moving, it was quick—about 5–10 minutes to get across. Easy, smooth ride, and you’re on the island before you know it.
We got there around 10:00–10:30, and because we weren’t first off the ship, it was a little more challenging to find prime seating right away. There were multiple ships in port, and it felt more crowded than I expected early on. Not miserable—just enough that “getting there early” matters if you’re picky about where you want to camp out.
First Impressions: It Feels Bigger in Person
From the ship, it looks relatively limited in terms of space given it’s positioned on a peninsula. Once you’re actually walking around it, the scale hits you. The layout is straightforward: one main path runs through the beach club, with food, bars, and amenities spaced out along the way, and the different beach + pool areas spread across the length of the property.
It’s also built to disperse crowds. Instead of one large buffet line and one bar line, the experience is broken into smaller areas, making the whole place feel more manageable—even on a busy day.
The Vibe: Not Just a Party Spot
Before we went, I think a lot of people assumed this was basically “Party Cove or nothing.” That’s not the case. The beach club is really three experiences in one:
The Party Cove
This is where we spent most of our day—because that was the vibe we wanted. The DJ, the energy, the crowd, the swim-up bar… it’s a true pool party atmosphere. At one point they even had a conga line going, which was hilarious and honestly kind of perfect for a port day when everyone’s trying to have fun.
The biggest surprise here was how much the staff helped drive the vibe. Bartenders were dancing, hyping people up, and the whole area just felt alive.
Chill Beach
This was the sleeper hit for me. You enter on a more relaxed side, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: calmer pool time, quieter music, and the kind of spot where you can sit back with a drink and feel like you’re at a resort.
There was even a singer performing in that area earlier, and it gave it a totally different feel than the DJ-driven party pool.
On the way out, we walked back through here and it was almost empty—just a handful of people in the water. If you’re going as a couple, or you want a calmer day (or you want to pop into the party area for 30 minutes and then retreat), this is the move.
Family Beach
The family area felt intentionally separate. It had the most kids, a more relaxed “family pool day” vibe, and even some entertainment—like a guy dressed as a pirate running games with kids.
Important note: don’t expect water slides or a full splash park like CocoCay. This isn’t Splashaway Bay. It’s more “family-friendly beach day” than “waterpark day,” which is a good thing to know before you book.
The Food: Better Than I Expected
I went in expecting to have a “standard beach buffet.” What we got was better.
We tried multiple items, and the standouts were:
- Guava shrimp
- Fire engine corn fritters
- Bahamian mac and cheese (this was one of my favorites)
They also had the classics (burgers, hot dogs, etc.), but the menu had enough variety that it didn’t feel like you were stuck eating the same thing twice.
Also worth noting: Royal has already been evolving the menu and adding more options (including more variety such as such as a Lobster BLT, Island Crab Cake Sandwich, and a Caesar Salad ). That’s a good sign long-term—because the bones of this place are already strong.
The Best Design Feature: Amenities Everywhere
One thing Royal absolutely nailed here is accessibility. Every area had the key essentials close by: Multiple bars and food stations, a bathroom, and a towel station.
This sounds like a basic concept, until you’re actually living it. You never have to hike 10 minutes because you need a drink, a bathroom, or another towel. That alone made the whole day feel smoother and less crowded, because people weren’t all funneling into one central point.
They also had nice touches that make it feel “upgraded,” like better towels (not your usual Royal blue towel situation) and even sunscreen available on the island.
The other thing to mention is the day pass included internet for unlimited devices, which is typically something you pay a pretty penny for onboard the ship!
Drinks + Atmosphere
Most adults are going to choose the version of the pass that includes alcohol, and for good reason. The price difference between alcohol and non-alcoholic was small enough that it just makes sense if you’re planning to drink at all. (as of 1/19/26, it’s a $10 price difference for alcohol)
The party area, in particular, had a full-on vibe. And again—huge credit to the staff. They weren’t just working behind the bar; they were part of the atmosphere, dancing as they served your drinks!
The Cabana That Made My Jaw Drop
In the family area, there’s a cabana option that is basically the definition of “if you have money like that…” — we’re talking a high-end cabana setup with serious features. The number we heard thrown around was around $10,000 for that premium cabana experience which includes a hot tub, private beach, water slide, and more!
A family had it booked the day we were there, and honestly… shout out to them, because it looked unreal.
The One Logistics Note: The Walk Back
This is important: when you return, you’re not dropped off right next to the ship where you first boarded the boat. You get dropped off nearer the built-up port/shopping area, and you’ll walk back to the ship from there.
Plan for about a 10–15 minute walk, and if you’ve got little kids, just know you may be carrying someone by the end of it. It’s not a deal-breaker—just good to know so you’re not surprised.
Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Worth It?
This is where it gets nuanced.
If you’re on a longer cruise and want one “big beach club day,” I think it’s an easy yes—especially if Nassau is your beach day and you’re not stopping at CocoCay.
If you’re on a short cruise and already have a drink package, it becomes more of a value comparison. You can absolutely have a fun pool day on the ship for “free.” What you’re paying for here is the upgraded beach club experience: ocean views, dedicated service, upgraded amenities, and a destination-style day.
My personal rule of thumb: if the price is only a little more than what you’d spend on drinks/food for the day anyway, it feels like a good value. If it climbs into “this costs as much as a major excursion” territory, I’d think twice about booking it.
Tips If You’re Going Soon
1) Get there early
If you want prime seating, aim to arrive before 10:00 a.m.
2) Pick your vibe first
Party Cove, Chill Beach, Family Beach—know what you want and head straight there.
3) Don’t overthink the walking distance
The beach club is long. Walking end to end can take 10–15 minutes, but the way they’ve placed food/bars/bathrooms keeps it convenient.
4) Keep an eye on pricing
This is new, demand is high, and pricing will likely evolve. If you have a cruise later in 2026, it’s worth checking periodically.
Final Take
We booked this day specifically for the Royal Beach Club, and it delivered on its promise. It felt like a real beach club experience—clean, modern, well-staffed, and built to handle crowds without turning into chaos. You can party hard, relax hard, or do both in the same day.
If Nassau is on your itinerary and you want a guaranteed “great port day,” this is one of the best options Royal has ever added to that stop.
Want Help Booking a Cruise to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?
If you’re sailing to Nassau and want help pricing out the Royal Beach Club day pass (or comparing it to CocoCay, Hideaway Beach, or other Nassau excursions), text us anytime at 704-313-8556 or use the booking form on our site. We’ll help you build the best itinerary—and make sure the add-ons are worth it for your travel style.