Royal Caribbean now have many private destinations for customers to enjoy when on cruises wherever they are in the world. They have decided to label these as ‘Ultimate Destinations’.
Ultimate
The definition of ultimate is “most extreme or important because either the original or final, or the best or worst”.
Royal Caribbean can definitely be considered original and extreme.
They have:
- been making strides in the cruise industry overall in the past decade.
- a strong focus on sustainability with the adoption of LNG fuel and other innovations to reduce emissions.
- designed new ships on a huge scale with impressive tech and customer focussed entertainment, most notably in release of the Icon class ships.
- Even a few Guinness World Records have been set onboard the ships not only by the ship specs themselves but also by guests.
They were one of the first to have a private destination. Labadee first opened in 1986 when they signed a lease agreement with the Haitian government for the 260-acre private resort, on Haiti’s northern peninsula.
The destinations are important to Royal Caribbean as a means to keep brand loyalty and ensure repeat business. They always strive to get resources from local communities and continue to invest in all aspects of their business.
Destinations
Royal Caribbean now has seven private destinations which will be visitable by 2027 – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Royal Beach Club Santorini plus beach destinations of Labadee and Lelepa.
The concept of Perfect Day is a fully immersive experience with a vast amount of amenities that are unique to Royal. It is denoted as a port stop on your itinerary. Whereas Beach Club is an all-inclusive resort feel perfect for meeting holiday expectations. It is marked as an optional shore excursion.
Although these destinations will mainly appear on itineraries for Royal Caribbean ships, the destinations are owned by the Royal caribbean Group as whole. Therefore they could appear on itineraries for both Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day is located on a small group of islands in the Bahamas, 55 miles north of the capital Nassau. The proximity to Florida allows it to be included on many itineraries departing towards the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Plus longer holidays from other US ports.
Perfect Day at CocoCay is voted Best Private Island, for 5 years running in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.
Having been lucky enough to be on the island 3 times, I can definitely say that days spent there create the greatest memories. Separate areas on the island aim at different interests so you will always find something to enjoy.
Thrill Waterpark has 14 waterslides including the tallest slide in the Caribbean. Luxury awaits at Coco Beach Club with chill vibes and premium amenities. Adults can party at Hideaway Beach with an infinity pool and swim-up bar accompanied by DJ sets. These regions of the island are an additional cost and price depends on sailing.
Excursion type activities can be booked at an additional cost. These include the Up, Up and Away Balloon, the zip line for views across the island, and water sport equipment rentals.
Oasis Lagoon, South Beach, Chill Island and Harbor Beach are all family friendly. Plus there is Captain Jill’s Galleon and Splashaway Bay water zones for the younger cruisers. Oasis Lagoon is the main pool area and is the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, with underwater speakers and plenty of lounge chairs.
There are two buffet locations alongside many snack stations spread across the island. With tacos, chicken tenders and other island delights you won’t go hungry. If you have a drinks package onboard, this transfers to the island so you can continue to sip in style.
There is a tram system to shuttle people to the various neighbourhoods and the ships dock at pier built directly on the island. This means you can maximise your day on CocoCay.
Perfect Day Mexico
Perfect Day Mexico is due to open to Royal Caribbean guests in Autumn 2027. Given how much guests enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to ensure that loyal fans are not disappointed.
The announced line-up certainly looks promising. Loco Waterpark will have double the waterslides of Thrill Waterpark. Jaguar’s Peak, the tallest waterslide tower in the Americas, will house 10 of those. Then over a mile of Lazy River with different sections for drinks or thrills, means you could spend all day drifting along on the water.
At double the expanse of Cococay, in addition to the trams, there will be water taxis to move people about the destination.
Then all the drink and snack locations will likely take on the South American theming. Creative direction was taken with Mexican input to make sure that details would not be culturally inappropriate. These details will be seen across the family-friendly beaches, adult-only and luxury areas.
The stop will occur on Western Caribbean itineraries from Florida and Texas. An attempt by Royal Caribbean to make these routes more popular with guests and reinvigorate the Costa Maya tourist area as a whole.
Royal Beach Club Cozumel
Another Mexican stop which needed refreshed, to spark guests to be return visitors on Western Caribbean itineraries, was Cozumel. Royal Beach Club Cozumel is due to open in December 2026. Prices for entry to the beach club have not yet been revealed but will probably be similar to Paradise Island.
On arrival to port, guests will take a short bus ride to the resort which will then offer all the amenities for an excellent day on holiday. Large pool with swim-up bar, loungers and umbrellas, beach zones plus canteen for fresh Mexican flavours and a shop for chocolate goodies.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Opening at the end of 2025, Paradise Island will be the first of the Royal Beach Club’s. Located just off Nassau port in the Bahamas, guests will have access to 3 pools, 2 beach zones and plenty of food and drink stations. Plus wi-fi is included in the day pass for your online scrolling needs. On arrival at the pier, water taxis will take guests to the different zones.
Prices vary for a day pass to the beach club, based on date of sailing and the level of experience you would like. Royal Caribbean have announced bundle options for savings if you combine the day pass with an onboard drinks package (or paid areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay).
In terms of Royal caribbean originality it will have the world’s largest swim-up bar called Floating Flamingo. The first Ultimate Family Cabana which is a 2-storey cabana with multi-generational amenities. Or the Party Deck for adult festivities. Each accommodates up to 12 guests.
Crafted in close collaboration with the Bahamian government with a strong commitment to the environment and community, the project generated hundreds of jobs across its construction and ongoing operations.
Royal Beach Club Santorini
The surprise in the Royal Beach Club lineup. The first of the private destinations in Europe which is due to be accessible come summer of 2026, for guests of all ages. Prior to the official Royal Caribbean announcement, there wasn’t even talk of a new beach club let alone on Greek shores.
Echoing the concept of its mexican counterpart, it will encourage guests to be return visitors on Eastern Mediterranean itineraries to Santorini. Although Santorini is a beautiful Grecian village, with it being on the bucket list of many travellers, it can quickly get overrun with tourists. And especially if more than one cruise ship is in port, which occurs more often than not during peak season. Therefore having a chill out area to avoid the crowds will be a bonus!
Guests will get to enjoy a short scenic boat tour along the coast arriving at the beach club for a day of relaxing on the volcanic black sand beach and many other complementary elements, creating an idyllic holiday day. More details should be released by Royal as we get closer to the opening date.
Lelepa
The first private cruise destination in the Southern hemisphere. Lelepa will give Royal customers beach days on South Pacific itineraries from Sydney, come late 2027.
The natural beauty of Lelepa Island in Vanuatu will shine through (rather than the colour and thrills of the other private destinations). This points to why this destination it has not been named like the others. The focus on local flavours and sustainability efforts will continue.
There will not be pier access, the ship will tender offshore. Guests will then be able to choose if they want to use tender boat to the this private resort destination on the island. Alternatively, there will be the ability to experience local culture on a seperate shore excursion.
Labadee
Labadee is a private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti. It currently remains on the Ultimate destinations list and on Royal Caribbean itineraries.
No matter their interests, everyone will find something to enjoy. There are many beach areas for relaxing with rentable cabanas available. Kids will have lots of fun on the saltwater slide and water inflatable course. If you are looking for adventure you can try your hand at one of the watersport activities, take flight on the zip-line, or speed down an alpine coaster. Plus caribbean buffet food and the signature cocktail called the Labadoozie, which is an iced blend of tropical juices and rums.
Labadee continues to be controversial as the FCDO advises that British citizens should not travel to Haiti given the local unrest. That would then sit in the ‘extreme’ area of ultimate which I don’t think Royal are aiming for. With all the other beautiful destinations opening in the coming years perhaps Labadee will be less important to Royal.
Ultimate Destinations?
So will the destinations live up to their name? We will just have to wait and find out!
We would personall highly recommend Perfect Day at CocoCay and would like to try some of the other destinations at some point. If you get to visit any of these ultimate destinations or have any comments, please send us your thoughts on socials and let us know!
