Royal Caribbean built just one Ultimate Family Cabana that has more space than any other cabana it's ever built, and a price tag of $10,000.
Located within the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, this one-of-a-kind two-story private retreat is aimed at those who want everything they could possibly need in a beach day.
The Royal Beach Club is a shore excursion developed and operated by Royal Caribbean. While admission to the beach club ranges between $100 - $250 per person (dynamic pricing means the exact price depends on your ship and date), there are cabanas you can rent that include admission.
While the UFC is not cheap, there's a market for it.
"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our ultimate family cabana for one day at $10,000, which was quite remarkable," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during an earnings call last year.
"Subsequently, we've sold a lot of days in the Ultimate Family Cabana at $10,000."
What do you get for that price and what's it like inside? I took a tour of the new cabana to share photos of what you can expect.
The biggest cabana yet
Located in the Family Beach section of the Royal Beach Club, the Ultimate Family Cabana is in situated between the zero-entry pool and beach.
Among the other cabanas nearby, this stands out like a mansion among regular homes.
Landscaping and ropes ensure privacy as it's large footprint gives you plenty of space.
It's two stories tall, with a backyard beach and front patio.
If you purchase the cabana, it includes admission for up to 12 people plus all of these perks:
- Cabana attendant
- Private bathroom
- Private shower
- Private changing room
- Wet bar
- Reserved beach space
- Heated whirlpool
- Spiral slide
- Wooden swing
- Hammock
- Suspended net lounger
- Frozen drink machine
- TV
- Mini fridge
The goal of this cabana is to deliver a "premium, opulent, over-the-top cabana", as described by Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider. After all, the idea was inspired by the Ultimate Family Suite and Ultimate Family Townhouses on Royal Caribbean ships.
As you enter on the lower level, there's a large living room set on wood decking. There are chairs and couches that look like they could easily be at someone's lanai.
The living space extends to offer outdoor couch space too, so you can enjoy being in the shade or the sun.
I also spotted a few board games that you can play at one of the many full length tables within the cabana.
As advertised, there is a frozen drink machine that can dispense pina coladas or daiquiris with no wait.
Don't worry, you don't have to get drinks yourself. A cabana attendant will serve food and drink, is included.
There's even a small kitchen, where you have a fridge, sink, and place for your cabana attendant to manage everything you need. Opposite the kitchen is a private restroom to use.
Walking out to the back, there is the heated hot tub that's just for your use.
Not only is the hot tub private, but it offers unfettered views of the beach and ocean.
If you prefer, there's also reserved beach chairs and umbrellas near the ocean, along with easy access to the blue waters.
There's a hammock nearby to take naps in, read a book, or to take a moment to appreciate everything this cabana offers.
Moving to the back of the cabana, stairs lead to the upper level.
Coming back down is much easier since there's giant slide to bring you right into a sandy finish.
The slide has a button at the top to "prime" it with water. It's a combo "wet/dry slide" but the water ensures you'll go down it with ease.
Upstairs, you'll find a day bed that faces the ocean. It's the perfect nap spot!
There are also beach loungers with some sun to enjoy being outside. You'll also find a wet bar upstairs, to ensure you only need to go back downstairs if you want to try the slide.
The views from the second floor are incredible. You have the perfect vantage point to people watch around the Family Beach pool, or take in the scenery of the beautiful Bahamian waters.
One heck of a way to spend your day
I could only spend a few minutes exploring the Ultimate Family Cabana, but I'd imagine this would be an incredible cabana to enjoy for the day.
Royal Caribbean isn't kidding when they say it has everything you'd need. There's just about everything I've ever seen in any cabana experience to date, plus a few extras.
Suffice to say, kids will never want to leave the cabana. It would be a mesmerizing experience with so much to do and try. It's a good thing there are plenty of places for a nap to recharge later.
I think one thing it needs is a white picket fence to keep astounded guests from wandering in, especially on the front porch area.
The list price is $10,000, but I've seen it on sale for my upcoming cruises with discounts of up to 30% off.
Even at $7,000, it's still a very expensive splurge. But there's no doubt renting one of these cabanas would create more memories than any other beach day I can imagine.
