Hundreds of guests who had been looking forward to their perfect day at the Royal Beach Club in Nassau were disappointed when they arrived to find alcohol sales had been banned for the day.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the newest addition to the cruise line's private destination portfolio. It's got everything from dreamy stretches of beaches to resort-style pools, diverse dining options, private cabanas, and more.
Admission isn't included in the cost of your cruise fare. There are multiple types of day passes available for purchase, including those that include unlimited alcoholic beverages (since drink packages and Diamond vouchers don't work at the club).
The open bar day pass with unlimited alcoholic beverages and dining starts at around $170 per person, before any pre-cruise discounts through the Cruise Planner. Comparatively, the base price for the non-alcoholic day pass starts at around $130 for guests 13+.
(Credit: @disneysherpas / TikTok)
However, on Thursday, April 30, the pricier pass was essentially useless as alcohol service was suspended for the entire day due to the ongoing national elections.
"Pursuant to section 99 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 7), the Parliamentary Commissioner hereby informs the general public that all licenses issued under the provisions of the Business Licence Act (No. 25 of 2010) for the sale of any intoxicating liquour shall be suspended during the hours of the day on which a poll is being held for a general election (including the Advanced Poll)," reads a public notice issued by the Commonwealth of The Bahamas' Ministry of National Security.
The dates and hours included on the public notice are Thursday, April 30, and Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Credit: BIS Bahamas / Facebook)
"...[A]ny person selling or exposing or offering for sale any intoxicating liquor during such hours shall be deemed doing so while not holding a licence under the provisions of the Business Licence Act," the notice continues.
Guests flocked to social media to express their frustration, with many questioning why they weren’t notified in advance.
"We are at Royal Caribbean's Royal Beach Club today and they can't serve alcohol because of the local election!!! Needless to say it's a very quiet day," wrote @disneysherpas on TikTok.
"We're on Allure right now too. What an experience this morning was lol. Crazy part is nobody told us until we got into [the Royal Beach Club]. Our cabana attendant was the first to mention it. Thought he was joking. He was indeed not joking lol," commented one TikTok user.
Someone else added, "Currently on allure and this was the most quiet I've ever seen Nassau."
Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship measuring 225,282 gross tons, was the only Royal Caribbean vessel in port on April 30, according to Nassau Cruise Port.
She departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a three-night cruise to The Bahamas (Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay) on April 29. Allure is expected to return to Florida on Saturday, May 2, per Cruise Mapper.
Full refunds offered
In response to the unexpected disruption, Royal Caribbean provided full refunds to guests who had purchased the alcoholic passes.
"Earlier today, we were informed of a public notice issued by the Ministry of National Security in The Bahamas that prohibits the distribution of alcohol during national elections where advanced polling stations are located," the letter given to impacted passengers begins.
It continues, "As a result, alcoholic beverages could not be served during your visit [to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island] due to this nationwide restriction that applies throughout The Bahamas... While this may not have matched your expectations, especially while enjoying your day ashore, guests continued to have full access to the beach, amenities, and all other aspects of the Royal Beach Club experience during the stay."
As such, the cruise line issued automatic refunds in the form of Onboard Credit to guests, with no action required on their part.
The credits can be used anywhere onboard, with remaining funds being refunded to the card on file within 14 business days after final debarkation.
Alcohol won't be served at the Royal Beach Club on May 12, either
According to the public notice, Royal Caribbean is not permitted to distribute alcohol on May 12, since it is a general election day in The Bahamas.
Consequently, guests visiting the Royal Beach Club on May 12 should expect similar restrictions, with alcohol service suspended during the election window.
According to Cruise Mapper, there's just one Royal Caribbean ship expected to dock in Nassau that day: Utopia of the Seas. MSC Seaside and Caribbean Princess will also be in the Bahamian capital, but guests cannot visit the private Royal Caribbean beach club.
