Royal Caribbean Blog

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

The first Royal Beach Club is set to open in December 2025.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for its exclusive beach experience in Nassau, Bahamas and confirmed it will be an all-inclusive experience.

Not only will it have beaches, pools, and great food, it will also have an epic over-the-top family cabana you can rent.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's plan to fix the problem with a very popular cruise port
• Yacht collides with Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time
• Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water
• How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• The best cruise travel gifts from Amazon’s holiday shop
• I eat in the cruise ship buffet often, but so many people overlook the best food option
• Carnival is revamping its private island to better compete with Royal Caribbean's offering
• Taking a cruise from the UK in 2025? You'll need to do something new this year
• Experts share which cruise line and ship are the best, and it's no surprise to us
• Mexico delays huge new tourist tax
• Water leak floods hallway on Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Video: Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

A Royal Caribbean gift card deal was so good, they had to pull it down immediately

You might have missed out on the best cruise discount we've seen in a long time.

Royal Caribbean offered up to 20% off its gift cards, and so many people bought it that the promotion ended more than a week earlier than expected.

It offered up to $400 off gift card purchases, and sales exploded as soon as word began to circulate about the offer.

Royal Caribbean changes policy on how it serves beverages

It appears getting an alcoholic beverage in a can requires it to be opened.

Reports began circulating that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

This has annoyed some cruisers, who liked being able to collect cans to enjoy later in their cabin.

I booked an inside cabin, but hated how dark it was

Inside cabins can save a lot of money, but they have big downside too.

Everything about Matt's inside cabin on Serenade of the Seas was great, but having no natural light disrupted his morning routine.

He'll make changes on his next cruise to account for this issue.

9 cruise traditions that probably confuse new cruisers

Someone who has never cruised before might be surprised by some of the cruise norms.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. 

The virtual muster drill is still the best change in the cruise industry

Arguably the best change on a cruise ship in recent memory was the eMuster drill.

Implemented in 2021, eMuster has made embarkation day better for crew and guests, while making it easier to convey important information.

Surprisingly, there's still one cruise line that refuses to adopt it.

No matter how much you cruise, there's always a chance you could get seasick on a cruise.

I would tell anyone who has never cruised before not to avoid cruising out of fear of getting seasick, because it's an easily treatable issue. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, it's been quite rare.

However, winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas lately and that's resulted in two sailings in a row where I've felt a little seasick.

I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.  The first cruise went to Mexico and the second to The Bahamas, but gusty winds were enough to add some "motion to the ocean" and it set off my stomach.

While hurricane season ended on November 30, that doesn't mean there can't be storms or just strong winds with a front.

When we boarded Utopia of the Seas, there was a video playing in all the cabins explaining the strong winds we expected to encounter, as described by Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.

Sometimes you get a good warning of what's to come, and other times it's more a surprise, like on Serenade when it was calm for the entire cruise, except when we were traveling near Cancun.

Nonetheless, I'll adopt a few strategies for my future cruises to avoid seasickness.

Myth: you don't feel as much movement on larger ships

You might think the biggest cruise ships in the world are immune to being jostled by the wind, but that's definitely not the case.

Some people prefer to sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Icon Class ships because they heard the big ships don't move as much.

Being on a bigger ship might have a minimal effect with a casual breeze, but when there are rough seas, any ship can encounter movement.

It's incredible how big Utopia of the Seas is, but that consistent rocking happened onboard too.

Find a spot low and center on the ship

When you start to notice the ship moving a lot, especially when you start swaying a bit as you walk, I think it's a good idea to find a place to minimize the feeling.

The best spot to feel the least movement is somewhere on a low deck and center on the ship. 

There's no doubt it feels worse when you're all the way at the front or back of the ship, especially on a higher deck.

My wife might think this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the ship's casino is almost always around deck 4, and right in the middle.

To really help, you should also find a spot where you can see the horizon. While your ship might be moving, the horizon is a fixed position and focusing on it can help re-adjust your mind.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor walking promenade deck that have chairs facing the ocean. This is a great location for focusing on the horizon.

Stop drinking alcohol

This is easier said than done, but you want to stop anything that might be dehydrating you.

Getting more dehydrated can be a trigger for seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of those things.

Instead, switch to a carbonated beverage.  Ginger ale is best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which are good to settle a stomach.  But a Coke works well too.

Try a natural remedy

Every body reacts differently to getting a little queasy, so I like to start off with a homeopathic approach first.

The most common treatments before you take any medicine are to eat ginger, green apples, or peppermint.

Head to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon.

I might try bringing ginger chews with me to make it more convenient and because I don't love ginger ale.

The other thing that works is sleeping. Taking a nap is one of my favorite cruise activities to begin with, but sleeping off the nausea effects has worked well for me in the past.

If nothing else, you might sleep through the worst of the winds and wake up to calmer seas.

Take a medication

When I was on Serenade of the Seas and started feeling off, I ultimately relied on medication to help ease the effects of being seasick.

The most popular medication is Dramamine, and I always pack Bonine.

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

There are side effects to medications, so be sure to do your research. Also, it's ideal anyone taking meds to start the regiment before the cruise begins.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Don't avoid a cruise because of seasickness

No matter how many times I've gotten seasick, I think it's a low risk and not a reason to not go on a cruise.

Many people go on dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don't think I got seasick on any of my cruises earlier this year, many of which that went through hurricane season.

If you find yourself feeling motion sick onboard, there are numerous ways to quickly alleviate the discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can ensure you're ready to fully enjoy your cruise experience.

One of the most popular cruise ports in the world is also one of the worst rated among cruise passengers, but Royal Caribbean has a plan.

If you think of a warm tropic cruise getaway, The Bahamas is probably what you imagine, and yet cruiser surveys rank it as among the worst places they visit.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed last year that passengers don't love Nassau, Bahamas.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.

Given Nassau's proximity to the United States, you might assume there's not much that can be done about it, as alternatives aren't plenty within a logistical distance.

But Royal Caribbean wants to fix the issues its customers have with the port with a brand new idea that's never been attempted.

Building a better beach day

According to Royal Caribbean's surveys, cruisers found Nassau lacking fresh or innovative things to do. That seemed to be at the heart of the frustration.

Royal Caribbean's plan is to try something completely different that will deliver the high standards the line has already developed on its ships and at its private islands.

New details were revealed this week to showcase the scale of its 17-acre development that is right in the heart of Nassau.

Royal Caribbean bought up land right where cruise ships dock, and that's no accident. They wanted to give the very best product in an extremely convenient location.

Their plan is known as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is described as the ultimate beach day.

Opening in December 2025, the beach club will charge an admission cost for a super-charged Royal Caribbean excursion.

Available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruisers, there will be multiple beaches and pools, with different vibes for each area. The three zones - Family Beach, Chill Beach, Party Zone- ensures there is something for everyone.

And because it's all-inclusive, there's nothing to worry about once you arrive. Relax, enjoy food and drink, and get the kind of tropical experience vacationers crave.

What you can do at the Royal Beach Club

Royal Caribbean shared what the property will offer, and it's a mix of beach, pool, and experience.

There's two beaches, three pools, the world's largest swim-up bar, cabanas, and places to get something eat.

At the west end is the Family Zone, where you'll find The Shallow End Pool and Swim-up bar.

This is a zero-entry pool where everyone can walk in and swim, along with the choice to stop by the swim-up bar. This bar has both cocktails and mocktails, so it's great for parents or kids.

There's also beach bars and the Paradise Grill to keep you replenished while enjoying time at the white sand beach.

In the middle is party zone, which has the hard-to-miss Floating Flamingo pool.

The name stands out as much as the venue, which is a two-story swim-up bar that has a DJ to play music all day long.

Royal Caribbean is also offering an extra cost area, known as Party Cove VIP. It's meant to be a celebration spot, where you can have your own exclusive space with elevated service.

Finally, there's Chill Zone on the eastern end of the property, and it's going to be the quiet(er) area of the beach club.

The Deep End pool also has a swim-up bar that serves mocktails and cocktails, and it's right up against the ocean.

Combining ship and shore

None of Royal Caribbean's plans operate in a vacuum, and when you look at the big picture, it becomes apparent they're moving ships and beaches around like a chess board that's close to end game.

When Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, the cruise line's four best cruise ships will be ready to visit.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are giant Oasis Class ships that sail only to The Bahamas, and will operate out of Port Canaveral and Miami.

If short cruises aren't your thing, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have 7-night sailings to take you there too. And that's the two biggest cruise ships in the world that have made headlines on their own for redefining what a cruise vacation is all about.

Basically, Royal Caribbean wants to grab the attention of anyone thinking about taking a cruise vacation (especially people that have never cruised before) and show them there's no question Royal Caribbean has the best options from any cruise line in the world.

It's bold, creative, and novel, and aims to not only solve the puzzle of Nassau, but also set the bar higher for vacations.

The cruise industry had a rough go of it in 2020, but one great change that came out of it was a revamped and substantially better safety drill experience.

All cruise ship passengers are required by maritime law to understand what to do in the case of an emergency, similar to airline passengers that get a safety drill before takeoff.

Known as the muster drill, the process remained the same for decades where passengers stopped what they were doing, lined up outdoors in a single file line, and waited to hear instructions read over a bullhorn or public address system.

Royal Caribbean knew this was not a great way to convey important safety information and that its guests lamented the entire process for how cumbersome and disruptive it was.

In 2021 when cruise ships restarted cruising, a virtual muster drill was implemented for the first time.  It was a concept devised before the industry shutdown, but turned out to be the perfect way way to get safety information while social distancing.

Fast-forward a few years later, and it remains one of the best innovations within the cruise industry.  In fact, Royal Caribbean openly shared the patented process with any cruise line that wanted it.

"It's the easiest process in cruising," wrote Clbengel on Reddit.

"You'll watch a few videos and listen to a sound of the emergency horn on the Royal app. Then once you board, just go to your designated muster station and they'll scan you in as having completed it. You're good to go and officially start your cruise."

Reinventing the muster drill

If you go on a cruise today, every passenger is obliged to know what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Instead of standing around to hear someone tell you, Royal Caribbean wanted a better way.

Traditionally, in the context of a passenger cruise ship, a muster drill is performed at the beginning of the cruise before the cruise ship departs or shortly thereafter. During the muster drill, each individual passenger reports to an assigned muster station—a specific location on the vessel. A crew member then confirms the presence of each passenger expected to be present at the specific location during the muster drill so that all passengers may be accounted for in the event of an actual emergency and a resultant actual muster.

Further, the old muster drill was confusing for some—particularly the elderly and children—both of whom often require additional assistance locating and moving towards assigned muster stations.

For crew members, trying to perform the drill with thousands of guests may create unnecessary confusion or missed opportunities to educate and inform, in light of the ultimate goal.

A group at Royal Caribbean worked on a new idea to get passengers critical information without disrupting everyone's day at the same time.

A digital approach was conceived, and its not only made it easier to give cruisers the information they needed, but it also allowed it to be done individually and monitored.

The change was widely heralded by passengers who loved the change because of how much easier the process became.

Not only that, more passengers were participating than ever before.

Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations Greg Purdy shared Royal Caribbean has "extremely high percentage rates for guest participation", which is in part due to training of the crew members to facilitate it, as well as plenty of reminder announcements."

Mr. Purdy went on to say participation rates are higher with eMuster than the old way, "we're fairly aggressive about ensuring that you complete the safety drill prior to sailing. "

"That's actually better than the old traditional drill."

Most importantly, guests get the important information while making the process easier overall, "This has been a real win for the guest and a win for those of our crew that are charged with with safety responsibilities in an emergency."

Other cruise lines followed Royal Caribbean's lead, and while their implementation may vary slightly, the general flow is the same.

One cruise line stubbornly refuses to change

Most cruise lines adopted eMuster, but one mainstream cruise line stubbornly have not and it's baffling why not.

Disney Cruise Line initially made the switch to eMuster, but then quickly reverted in November 2022 back to the in-person safety muster drill.

An email to travel agents said, "We regularly review our processes and have made the decision to reintroduce the in-person assembly drills. All Guests will be required to report to their assigned assembly station in person at the scheduled time on embarkation day."

Even after all these years, they are the notable holdout.

Armstrong2Cernan wrote on Reddit how tiresome the old way is, "Crew members with bullhorns and clip boards calling out for a few passengers who felt they were too important to attend. Kids getting tired and cranky, all still standing chest to back, parents holding smaller children, switching them off to their spouse as they got tired. Waiting, waiting, waiting until finally they bark out a few instructions that you would do if there were an actual emergency. So. Very. Tiring."

With Royal Caribbean's largest ship able to accommodate nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, have you ever wondered how there's always enough water for everyone onboard? 

Icon of the Seas, for example, boasts seven pools, along with a record-breaking waterpark featuring six slides and an indoor AquaTheater home to high-diving performances. On top of that, it's important to remember that guests also need water for everyday activities like showering, flushing toilets, brushing teeth, washing hands, and more.

The company takes immense pride in its state-of-the-art systems that allow ships to create, conserve, and treat every drop of water to ensure a constant, sustainable supply. 

More than 90% of the water on Royal Caribbean ships is created onboard by turning salty seawater into freshwater through reverse osmosis or evaporation. 

Reverse osmosis pushes saltwater through membranes to remove contaminants, while steam evaporation uses the heat from the ship's engine to boil the seawater and leave the salt as a byproduct. 

Public health guidelines then require the new freshwater to be mineralized for flavor before being distributed across the ship. 

Conservation efforts also dictate how water is moved around the ship. For example, they use aeration to create pressure to use less water, rather than forcing water out of faucets and shower heads at high volumes. 

Additionally, water is repurposed wherever possible. For instance, did you know Royal Caribbean ships reuse the condensation from the air conditioning units to do laundry? 

The company also hired a water specialist to oversee Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark and the private island's irrigation system, which ensures that treated wastewater is used efficiently for landscaping. 

Speaking of wastewater treatment, Royal Caribbean's Advanced Wastewater Purification System treats water to standards twice as strict as many local municipalities. 

It uses bioreactors, UV light, and dissolved air to remove contaminants, so water can be safely returned to the ocean without impacting the fragile ecosystem. 

Royal Caribbean's comprehensive approach to water management highlights the company's dedication to minimizing its environmental impact while maximizing comfort for everyone onboard and ashore, whether on a port-intensive European cruise or a 3-night getaway to CocoCay. 

Commitment to sustainability

In addition to the company's water conservation efforts, Royal Caribbean strives to reduce the amount of food waste onboard its ships, hoping to reduce waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. 

By focusing on the front end of the food system and addressing many of the main causes of food waste, including inventory management and over-preparation, they've already reported a 24% reduction in food waste.

Other food waste-specific initiatives include developing a proprietary platform to monitor food supply and accurately estimate how much food should be produced, prepped, and ordered on a given day; using artificial intelligence to adjust food production in real-time; introducing a dedicated onboard food waste role; tracking guest demand for specific items and adjusting preparation; and introducing a new food waste awareness captain in crew dining areas. 

Royal Caribbean Group's overarching sustainability goals are referred to as "Destination Net Zero." Everything from the reduction of food waste to water conservation helps the company work toward the delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship. 

Read more: How over 6,000 people are served meals every day on the world's largest cruise ship

Royal Caribbean's gift card sale was so popular that the cruise line had to pull it down just hours after it went live. 

The offer helped cruisers save 10% on gift card purchases, with Crown & Anchor Society members receiving an additional 10% off. 

This meant that if you purchased a $2,000 gift card, C&A Society members would get $400 (or 20%) off, bringing the total to just $1,600. The offer applied to all purchases of $350 or more.

Unfortunately, the promotion was too popular for its own good. The unexpected surge in demand caused the cruise line to halt the sale within hours of its launch. 

Despite being advertised as a limited-time offer running through December 20, 2024, the sale's terms and conditions stated that the deal could change at any time without notice, which is exactly what happened.

Royal Caribbean gift cards are great holiday gifts because of their versatility. Not only can they be used as onboard credit during your cruise, but they can also be applied directly toward your cruise fare. 

Plus, they can be used on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity and don't expire. 

While the link is still valid, the 10% to 20% discounts are no longer automatically applied. If you add a $2,000 gift card to your cart, the price will remain $2,000 without the discount. 

However, it’s still possible to purchase gift cards at their regular price, and they can be used on the balance of a future cruise or towards onboard spending for Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises.

Read more: How to save money on a cruise

"Looks like the gravy train is over"

Less than 24 hours after the offer went live, people began reporting that the deal was already marked as expired, with cruisers expressing their disappointment in a Reddit post shared to the r/royalcaribbean thread. 

wiredtobeweird said, "I’m so sad I had it in my cart and was cruise shopping and finally settled on a cruise and went to buy it and it was gone."

"I think they reached their limit of how many they could sell," added just---chillin.

In another post, one Reddit user shared how they were waiting for their wife to come home to purchase a gift card to use on their honeymoon cruise. "That sucks, could have really helped," GameSyns remarked. 

"Dang it, I was hoping to buy another one tomorrow or within the next few days after moving some money around," commented RyouRusi.

Despite being pulled, some users are hopeful Royal Caribbean will reactivate the promotion

"[H]opefully they bring it back, I'm gonna consistently check for the next couple days. I'll even take the 10%, which I'm not even seeing. so must be a temporary removal I hope," said otbalingit.

RyouRusi shared similar thoughts, indicating they're hopeful because the original terms said there would be a "'code' that '[could] only be used once'." 

"Someone messed something up I feel like. So maybe they'll bring it back in the 'proper' 1 time use form," they added. 

To be clear, it's unclear whether Royal Caribbean will bring back the promotion. This is just speculation from cruisers who are hoping for a second chance to save money. 

However, with some Reddit users sharing they purchased, two, three, four, and even seven gift cards, it's clear that many took advantage of the deal more than once before it was pulled. 

Read more: Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Royal Caribbean Cruises To Save Money

Going on a cruise ship is becoming more popular each year for a family vacation, but there are some traditions of cruising that might seem weird.

As a new cruiser, there are things that people that cruise a lot typically do and it's not what you'd find in other forms of travel. It's part of the appeal of cruise ship travel, because it's not like going to a city or resort on land.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. Remember, it's different, not bad.

Here are some cruise traditions that might confuse someone who has never cruised before.

Door decorating

I doubt anyone going on their first cruise would even think they should pack art supplies for the purpose of making their stateroom door stand out.

Decorating stateroom doors was born out of passengers wanting to share their excitement that they're on vacation and express themselves.

Door decorations can consist of name tags, lights, paper creations and pretty much anything else that can be attached to a door via magnets.

It's also very personal, where people might advertise they are celebrating a special occasion, whom they're traveling with, or show off their artistic prowess.

It's a fun way to share who is cruising and why, and your family can get in on the fun too if you bring the proper materials. Just be sure not to use any adhesives like tape or glue (magnets work best).

Code named events

If you flip through the event schedule on your Royal Caribbean app, you might see a couple of events with strange names.

"Friends of Dorothy" or "Friends of Bill W' may sound like someone got their own personal event listed, but they're actually code words for what the event really is.

Friends of Bill W. is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, named after one of the founders of the organization.

Friends of Dorothy is a meeting for the LGBTQ+ community.

In both cases, they use code words to keep it somewhat anonymous.  These are also self-led events, so there won't be Royal Caribbean staff there to lead them.

No deck 13

On some Royal Caribbean ships you may go into the elevator and notice deck 13 is missing from the buttons.

This is one of those maritime superstitions that continues to today, where the number 13 is considered unlucky.

As an example, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, doesn't have deck 13.  A brand new cruise ship that launched in 2024 omits number 13 from its layout!

Hiding ducks

Probably the most popular trend right now on a cruise ship is to hide rubber ducks for other passengers to find, and it's not something I've seen anywhere else.

The way it works is passengers purchase rubber ducks before the cruise begins, and then proceed to place them around public areas of the ship so people can find them.

There's usually a tag on it that explains you can keep the duck or re-hide it for someone else to find.

Why do people do it? Because it's something to do, and some people relish in placing them around the ship to bring joy to others that find it.  Others, especially children, love the appeal of going on a "hunt" to find them and coming away with a gift.

Crew member code phrases

This tradition is one crew members use, and it's to communicate problems around the ship without alerting guests.

You might hear announcements over the ship's public address system that use Greek letters along with a location on the ship.

There's a lot of cruise ship lingo to begin with, but these code phrases are a way to quickly convey what's happening to other crew.

You really don't need to know about them, but the first time you hear, "Alpha, alpha, alpha," you might wonder what just happened and why it was said.

Upside down pineapples

We already covered stateroom door decorations, but there's particular door "art" that means more than an affinity for a particular fruit.

If you see an upside down pineapple, it means that the couple is trying to let others know that are looking to swap sexual partners. 

This isn't to be confused with pineapples on clothing or bags, because that's just about fashion.

Truthfully, actually seeing an upside down pineapple on a stateroom door is pretty darn rare and I doubt you'll ever see it. But you should know theoretically it's a thing, and probably not something you'd expect to run across.

Wearing matching t-shirts

A lot of families and groups will wear the same t-shirt on their cruise as a way to celebrate in the fun of the trip and let everyone else know they're part of a group.

On embarkation day especially, you can spot plenty of groups walking onboard in matching colored shirts that have a phrase like, "Getting Nauti" or "Get ship faced" or my favorite, "Yea Bouy!"

In addition, family reunions, birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special occasions see lots of matching shirts.  Some even take the next step and customize the shirt with names or nicknames.

To be fair, I have seen this trend on land in places like theme parks too. 

Flaunting loyalty status

I have yet to ever see Bonvoy or Delta Medallion club member walk around with their loyalty tier adorned to their shirt, but you'll see people doing that on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

It's a literal badge of honor for cruisers with the most loyalty club points to wear pins that indicate they are a Pinnacle Club member, which is the upper most level of Crown and Anchor Society.

It has no bearing on you or your cruise experience, but new cruisers sometimes confuse Pinnacle Club members with crew members because they expect only crew members to have their name on display on a pin.

Dining with strangers

Food is a big draw of going on a cruise, but new cruisers are usually surprised to hear there's a chance they could be sharing a dining table with people they don't know.

Sharing tables is a cruising tradition that goes back decades, and it still happens when you choose a traditional assigned-time seating and you are small group or alone.

Because the dining room has a fixed capacity and a lot of people want to dine each night, seats are limited.

The good news is you can request a table just for your family if this idea seems too weird for your taste.

When Royal Caribbean opens its first beach club experience, it will be unlike anything they've offered to date.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is currently under construction and will be a new kind of experience blending water access, service, and Bahamian flare.

The big Royal Caribbean announcement today was revealing that admission will be an all-inclusive pass with an opening date of December 2025.

Passes and cabana rentals will go on sale starting in the spring of 2025.

Located on 17 acres at the western end of Paradise Island in Nassau, guests will have the choice of spending their day enjoying the pools, beaches, live music, island-style barbecues and more.

What a day pass includes

Unlike a private island day, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island requires an extra cost day pass to get in. We first reported in April 2023 that the beach club would be all-inclusive, and that's so that it can be "the ultimate beach day," according to Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

A day pass will include:

• Access to all amenities
• Water taxi ride between pier and beach club
• All food and beverage, including alcohol
• Beach chairs
• Umbrellas

To access the beach club, you'll need to disembark your cruise ship and walk to the ferry area within the newly revamped Nassau cruise port.

From there, you can take one of the new water taxis to get you to the beach club.

The beach club has beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, more than 40 cabanas – including the one-of-a-kind
Ultimate Family Cabana with personal attendant service – and more.

One thing you won't find at the beach club are big thrills. 

Unlike the cruise line's private island elsewhere in The Bahamas, there's no waterpark and according to Mr. Schneider, that's because there really isn't space for it and those wanting thrills can find it elsewhere in Nassau.

Royal Caribbean did not share how much admission will cost and/or the cabana rentals.

What you can do at the beach club

There are three zones to choose from when you arrive at the Royal Beach Club.

Party Cove

If you prefer more dancing, singing, and celebrating as part of your beach day, head to Party Cove.

Royal Caribbean is building the world’s largest swim-up bar, called The Floating Flamingo. This is where you'll find a DJ playing lots of music all day long.

You'll also find a VIP space within Party Cove, where you can get personal poolside service and incredible views.

Family Beach

Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line, and the beach club will be an extension of that by offering an entire zone for families to enjoy.

Family Beach is near the The Shallow End zero-entry pool.

You'll also find beach games of all kinds from tug-of-war to paddle ball in this area.

This is also where Royal Caribbean will offer its Ultimate Family Cabana, which is a brand new elevated concept.

While beach cabanas to rent are not a new concept for Royal Caribbean, but this one will have two levels and include a thrilling slide, dedicated whirlpool, frozen drink machine and more.

Chill Beach

Borrowing the name from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club will have the perfect area to relax and enjoy a day in The Bahamas.

There's the choice of The Deep End pool, or Chill Beach.

This is also where you can find shopping opportunities a the local artisan huts that are staffed by Bahamians. Similarly, there are areas to grab a bite to eat and enjoy food such as grilled shrimp skewers or fire engine fritters.

Exclusive retreat

If the new beach club sounds different, it's because it is.

Cruise lines have traditionally offered either a private island beach day or sold shore excursions operated by third parties. Nothing on this scale has been attempted before.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley thinks this will be appeal to just about everyone, "The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day – no matter the vibe they’re looking for."

That's important because Royal Caribbean is relying on these beach clubs to be the cornerstone of its bold strategy to attract more new cruisers than ever before.

In short, Royal Caribbean wants to offer more than any other cruise line, and only to its customers.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty talked about the importance of exclusivity during the company's first quarter earnings call this year, "One of the incredible things that we’re seeing out of destinations like Perfect Day — and we’ll see this in the Royal Beach Club in Nassau — is how it’s drawing in new-to-cruise (passengers) and millennials."

"A one of a kind, unique project"

Helping bring this vision to life is Philip Simon, President of Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas.

"To me, this is such a one of a kind, unique project," he said in an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Blog.

From day one, Royal Caribbean has designed this beach club to be a partnership with the people of The Bahamas. There's a revenue sharing agreement that gives up to 49% equity. New jobs have been created, and there will be a new tourism levy that will fund reinvesting in the local community. 

"I've never seen anything like it, and I'm not just saying that to kind of pump ourselves up."

"We call it a unicorn type of partnership that we're very proud of."

Mr. Simon believes the final product will show off just how economically and environmentally beneficial the new club will be. 

Royal Caribbean faced public backlash initially when the deal was announced, with critics concerned about the impact developing this land would have.

Mr. Simon said his team has helped improve the 17-acre site, removing derelict buildings, and improving the landscaping. Plus, there are strict environmental policies in place.

In fact, he wants to invite those detractors to see it for themselves, "You will have a product within the heart of downtown Nassau that is just going to be so amazing. So I look forward to next year, and I look forward to sending invites to everybody."

More beach clubs coming soon

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first beach club, but there are two more coming as well.

There are two more beach clubs set to open in the next few years.

The next beach club to open will be in Cozumel, Mexico when Royal Beach Club Cozumel begins operations. That will open sometime in 2026.

The exact site has not been shared, but it will be somewhere on the west coast of Cozumel, and just like Nassau, the exclusive club will combine great views, beaches, pools, and food.

A third beach club will be on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. No name or details have been shared, but it could open in 2026 or 2027.

A yacht accidentally ran into a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Wednesday.

Cruisers on Allure of the Seas witnessed the moment a boat slowly hit the port side of Allure of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean ship was in Nassau, Bahamas at the time of the incident.

Videos of the incident circulated on social media in the aftermath, as multiple passengers filmed the moment the ship collided with the yacht.

Dayanni Devi Bhagwandin posted the video to Facebook of the incident with the caption, "Yacht just crashed into us!".

Vanessa Walden took video immediately after the incident.

"This boat apparently lost power, or something, and drifted into the back of our ship," she said in her video. 

She also pointed out the impact damaged the top portion of the yacht.

Royal Caribbean has not issued a comment on the incident.

Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with a length of 1,187 feet and gross tonnage of 225,282.

Allure of the Seas has a capacity of 6,780 guests and 2,200 crew, bringing her total capacity to 8,930 passengers!

The impact did not appear to do much damage to the ship, and some passengers noted they had no idea anything had happened.

"Didn't feel a thing," wrote Frank Burton in response to the video. 

Keisha Lipford added, "We didn’t either and my son was standing up surfing."

Nassau is a major port of call for craft of all kind, including cruise ships and pleasure craft. It's not unusual to see vessels in close proximity as they navigate the waters.

Incidents of small craft hitting cruise ships is quite rare. There's sophisticated navigational equipment to warn of other craft in the vicinity.

In this case, Allure of the Seas appeared to have been docked while it occurred.

The most recent incident involving a vessel hitting another Royal Caribbean ship occurred in 2022 when a cargo ship hit Mariner of the Seas while docked in Freeport.

It was another slow speed impact, as the cruise ship's stern was contacted by the slow-speed navigating cargo ship Tropic Freedom.

No injuries and only "minimal damage" were reported.

Technically not a collision

If you want to get technical, the impact to Allure of the Seas was not a collision, but an allision.

Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, pointed out when one ship is moored and is hit by another vessel, it's considered an allision.

"Only the Coast Guard investigators and lawyers use that word, but it means a moving vessel hits a stationary vessel, dock, etc."

Want free money for your Royal Caribbean cruise? There's a great offer that could save you up to $400 quite easily.

UPDATE: It appears the gift card sale has ended early.

Royal Caribbean is running a sale on gift cards that could save you up to $400 on your next cruise with an exclusive offer for Crown & Anchor Society members.

The limited-time promotion offers a 10% discount on standard gift card purchases; however, members of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program will receive an additional 10% savings during the sale. This means you could save 20% on gift card purchases with the potential to save $400.

Crown and Anchor Society members can purchase gift cards from this exclusive link to receive the 20% discount on gift card purchases. According to the terms and conditions, purchases must be $350 or more in a single transaction to receive the discount. The 20% discount is automatically applied at checkout when using the link above.

The maximum amount you can purchase from Royal Caribbean’s gift card portal online is $2,000 with one transaction. This would amount to $400 savings in a single purchase with the discount. 

The gift card sale is scheduled to run from December 9, 2024 to December 20, 2024 for gift card purchases. However, the website states that this limited time offer could change at any time without notice. 

Just be warned that you could run into an issue if you try to buy a bunch of cards.

According to the terms and conditions, the promo code that nets you this discount is "valid for single use only. Cannot be combined with any other offer."

One more caveat.  The funds on these gift cards don’t expire, but if the card’s full value hasn’t been used within nine years from the date of purchase, you will need to contact customer service to transfer the remaining funds to a new gift card number.

Gift cards are restricted to purchase and use online in the United States. 

Some members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society have reportedly received emails about the gift card promotion with the link provided. The email states, “’Tis the season to max out the memories. From weekend getaways to longer escapes, everyone on your nice list will have their pick of adventures or onboard favorites with a Royal Caribbean® Gift Card.”

Royal Caribbean gift cards make an ideal holiday gift because they are highly versatile. These gift cards can be used as onboard credit during your cruise or applied directly toward your cruise fare. In essence, they function like a convenient gift certificate. Last year, Royal Caribbean overhauled their gift card program to make them easier to redeem and use. Now, the gift cards can be used on either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises and do not expire.

This could be a great holiday gift for someone else, although there is an option to send it to yourself as a way to save money on your own cruise vacation!

Using Royal Caribbean Gift Cards

Before you buy a card, you should know what you can and cannot use it for.

Royal Caribbean allows you to use its gift cards towards the balance of your cruise fare, or onboard the ship as a kind of onboard credit.

When used before boarding, the gift card goes towards your cruise fare. When used onboard, the gift card will be used as a credit towards onboard purchases. You should note the onboard credit can only be used when onboard currency is USD, which is most sailings outside of China.

The gift cards are easy to use as well with multiple avenues for redemption. You can easily redeem gift cards on Royal Caribbean’s website or by calling the cruise line. Moreover, your travel agent can also help you apply the gift cards to your vacation.

In addition, you must be onboard your cruise to use the gift card as payment towards the onboard expense account. This means you cannot currently use gift cards towards pre-purchases such as drink packages, internet access, shore excursions, specialty dining and more.

Royal Caribbean also states that gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash or quasi-cash. This would include gambling chips, deposits, money orders, traveler’s checks and foreign currency.