Royal Beach Club-any updates?

[Atlantix2000]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Oh, thanks, I thought it would be closer to PDCC with water taxis and all.

The Royal Beach Club will be almost a neighbor to Atlantis (less than a mile down the beach).  The water taxis will simply cross the harbor from the pier to RBC.  If they run frequently enough, it will even be faster to get there than Atlantis.

[Jill]

On 4/11/2023 at 1:12 PM, Ampurp85 said:

Oh, thanks, I thought it would be closer to PDCC with water taxis and all.

It’s the little strip of land right at the Nassau port. 

 

 

[smokeybandit]

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/04/13/royal-caribbean-ceo-says-new-beach-club-will-address-poor-nassau-customer-feedback?fbclid=IwAR1lk0qQoyTrt-SjvzVZtiMwaobc5Ec2IzxLUXTi79O7_Eh5G7hlAqg2748

 

Nassau will still get poor feedback because people won't want to spend several hundred per person for this beach club when their itinerary likely includes Coco Cay anyway.

[WAAAYTOOO]

58 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/04/13/royal-caribbean-ceo-says-new-beach-club-will-address-poor-nassau-customer-feedback?fbclid=IwAR1lk0qQoyTrt-SjvzVZtiMwaobc5Ec2IzxLUXTi79O7_Eh5G7hlAqg2748

 

Nassau will still get poor feedback because people won't want to spend several hundred per person for this beach club when their itinerary likely includes Coco Cay anyway.

I agree...and IMO, Royal is creating its own competition.  As you say, PDCC is extremely popular and it's free !  I don't see many people willing to pay [what is almost certain to be] an exorbitant upcharge for another upscale beach day.

[BrianB]

Depends on the price.

How much are we willing to pay for a family to access this new venue.
How will the price fluctuate based on the number of cruise passengers vying for entry on any given day. 
How many ships will be in port at the same time…and will that result in a system where Royal’s algorithms will cause pricing to trend higher in order to maximize profits. 
How far in advance will the Cruise Planner offer reservations.

I love the idea of a new, Royal-based venue in partnership with the local business community and residents. Maintaining Royal’s standards of customer service as they do on CocoCay, will make this a very attractive shore excursion. 

[Carlos A.]

Other option is that RC will be having more itineraries with either Nassau or PDCC but not both. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

59 minutes ago, Carlos A. said:

Other option is that RC will be having more itineraries with either Nassau or PDCC but not both. 

This is what I suspect.....  I don't see them competing with themselves.  My guess is that the itins will be split between Nassau and PDCC once the new club opens.

[bobroo]

I am not enthusiastic at all from what I have heard so far about the format of the Royal Beach Club, it's just not my kinda jam.

 

Mr. Bayley sounds sympathetic to the woes and shortcomings of Nassau but I don't think he is sincere. The crappier Nassau remains, the more appetizing the Royal Beach Club will sound to 2,750 passengers on a daily basis. 

There is a lot the head of Royal Caribbean International could suggest and organize (without spending any of Royal's $$$) to make Nassau a much better place, but I'm certain we will not see anything like that out of him. 

Making Nassau a desirable cruising destination is a very simple problem to solve. There are many, many municipal examples to take guidance from. Instead of a CEO, I'm sure a passenger in a inside cabin on deck 2 knows the formula if the Bahamian government were at all interested.

[WAAAYTOOO]

19 minutes ago, bobroo said:

Mr. Bayley sounds sympathetic to the woes and shortcomings of Nassau but I don't think he is sincere. 

I got the same vibe.

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, Carlos A. said:

Other option is that RC will be having more itineraries with either Nassau or PDCC but not both. 

That would make sense, but for those weekender cruises and rumors I've heard from officers on board that they want to build another dock at Coco Cay, I'm not sure that's it.

[Matt]

Since the beach club is going to be all inclusive, the same people that book all inclusive beach days elsewhere would be interested in this. If you look at resortforaday.com, there are a great number of all inclusive beach day options that sell well.

I also think there are a large contingent of passengers who only book excursions through Royal Caribbean and heavily rely on the cruise line for anything they offer.

And then of course, Royal's no dummy about investing this kind of money without a great deal of data that points to there being demand for this sort of an experience.

[smokeybandit]

RC will definitely make money off the new digs. But I just don't think it'll change the perception of Nassau for most.

[asquared17]

this might be a hot take, but...

i do find the concept kind of fascinating; maybe i personally am not in the budget space to book an overwater cabana at PDCC, but there are many folks who would, and don't have an issue with the funds needed for that.

i also think there is a new group of cruises/customers who are used to spending money like a land vacation to disney (my best friend is one of them and is constantly telling me how even sky class on an oasis class ship is a deal compared to "normal" disney accommodations) and this would not only appeal to them, but also price may not be a deterrent.

and any time you throw the exclusivity element in there... it always appeals to folks who find that very much to be a draw.

don't get me wrong; you won't find me at the beach club but i definitely think there will be people who you do find there, and suspect it will do a lot better than my tight budget could afford

[SweetPea]

Nassau is a dump. It will always be a dump because they know people think it's a dump and they've done very little to change that. Taking a ferry to wherever i need to go ... still takes me through a dump. 

The Royal Beach Club does nothing to change my mind about staying on the ship while docked in a dump. 

(Save this post for a Friday night and make it a drinking game for every time i write  .... dump.)

[BrianB]

Passengers pay lots to go on excursions to beach clubs and ‘exclusive’ islands while in Nassau…and there are lots of follow up comments from these people about how disappointed many were with the experience.
Primarily wasting so much of the allotted time on waiting around for overly crowded transportation. And venues that lack some simple TLC to make them more attractive.
Also the expenses once they finally get there including chairs and umbrella rentals.
And mostly the annoyance of sketchy peddlers wandering some of the venues or beaches trying to hawk everything from trinkets to weed. 
Many posts are positive and note how they believe they got their money’s worth…but there really was nothing to compare.

Maybe more experienced and repeat cruisers will shy away from spending at another Royal attraction when PDCC is also on the itinerary…but I think there will be more than enough demand to make this new venue a huge moneymaking venture for the company. Having limited availability will virtually guarantee it. Not to mention that it’s going to be right across from where the ships dock. Perfect product placement!

[smokeybandit]

https://thenassauguardian.com/rcis-royal-beach-club-concept-still-wide-open-says-president/

[bobroo]

As a Chicagoan, this is where the grift comes in. 

Time to play hardball Royal, be as uncompromising as Rosa Parks.

[monctonguy]

Zero interest in paying hundreds of dollars to sit on a strip of land in Nassau...when I have already paid hundreds or thousands for the cruise already.

 

I am sure some ppl will use it....the same ppl that don't mind spending 4k to sit in a nice chair on Cococay.....insane.

 

Coco cay used to be a looked forward to day...not now. I don't ever care to set foot on it again.  And anyone that i have talked ot about it feels the same way. Same for me with this junk. if I wanted a beach resort I would pay for one...not pay for a cruise AND a beach resort.

 

Royal tries to sell you on doing this for the customers experience or whatever PC BS they come up with...if you believe that, i have a bridge to sell you...lmao.

 

Its all corporate greed and profit...I cant wait for Royal to eventually see that....its crazy they would spend this much on new ships and such when we are not 2 years out from Covid and almost being bankrupt.....to think that cant or wont happen again??!. Or a recession just around the corner and all of a sudden they have a lot of money spent and no one can visit or afford it..

 

 

[smokeybandit]

You don't need to pay for anything on Coco Cay.

 

But the beach club, being an all inclusive thing, will be a smash hit, even at $300+. Remember the Bahamas gov't will be calling most of those shots.

[monctonguy]

29 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

 

 

 

Not sure what's confusing about what I posted @OCSC Mike...I can break it down more if you would like here or in a PM..?

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, monctonguy said:

Not sure what's confusing about what I posted @OCSC Mike...I can break it down more if you would like here or in a PM..?

I'll pass, thanks.

[monctonguy]

I think my English is clear...its not confusing at all what I stated..I think it's very clearly laid out with specific examples and reasons given. Perhaps you clicked the wrong emoji?!...lmao.

 

if you disagree, then that's a totally different issue.

[steverk]

52 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

Zero interest in paying hundreds of dollars to sit on a strip of land in Nassau...when I have already paid hundreds or thousands for the cruise already.

 

I am sure some ppl will use it....the same ppl that don't mind spending 4k to sit in a nice chair on Cococay.....insane.

 

Coco cay used to be a looked forward to day...not now. I don't ever care to set foot on it again.  And anyone that i have talked ot about it feels the same way. Same for me with this junk. if I wanted a beach resort I would pay for one...not pay for a cruise AND a beach resort.

 

Royal tries to sell you on doing this for the customers experience or whatever PC BS they come up with...if you believe that, i have a bridge to sell you...lmao.

 

Its all corporate greed and profit...I cant wait for Royal to eventually see that....its crazy they would spend this much on new ships and such when we are not 2 years out from Covid and almost being bankrupt.....to think that cant or wont happen again??!. Or a recession just around the corner and all of a sudden they have a lot of money spent and no one can visit or afford it..

 

 

This seems rather harsh. If you don't wish to pay for it, then don't.  For better or worse, others will. As long as that's true, Royal or someone else, will be happy to take their money. 

[monctonguy]

Harsh?....its fact.

I don't know what the cost is...$20 for the day sounds great. 

 

But if its priced and marketed like Cococay....then its insane that ppl pay that money. 

[USCG Teacher]

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I'll pass, thanks.

Well done.  I see you're a Mark Twain fan as well. 

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, USCG Teacher said:

Well done.  I see you're a Mark Twain fan as well. 

Thanks. I'm also honest and secure enough to admit I don't get the reference, lol.

Obviously I know who Mark Twain is but the comment went over my head. I'm hoping the explanation is something I don't feel stupid about, but if it is, won't be the first time.

[USCG Teacher]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

Thanks. I'm also honest and secure enough to admit I don't get the reference, lol,

Obviously I know who Mark Twain is but the comment went over my head. I'm hoping the explanation is something I don't feel stupid about, but if it is, won't be the first time.

No worries, you absolutely shouldn't feel stupid.  Twain has offered some famous advice (or at least it has been attributed to him!) about avoiding arguments with certain people.  You followed it perfectly.  I don't want to violate the board's TOS, so I'll leave it to be Googled if so desired.

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, USCG Teacher said:

No worries, you absolutely shouldn't feel stupid.  Twain has offered some famous advice (or at least it has been attributed to him!) about avoiding arguments with certain people.  You followed it perfectly.  I don't want to violate the board's TOS, so I'll leave it to be Googled if so desired.

Thanks, that makes sense.

I've spent more than enough time on forums (both for work and pleasure) over the past 20 or so years to know better.

[Xaa]

17 hours ago, steverk said:

This seems rather harsh. If you don't wish to pay for it, then don't.  For better or worse, others will. As long as that's true, Royal or someone else, will be happy to take their money. 

That's certainly it @steverk.  It's a free market.  I don't love the current PDCC pricing and I also expect the beach club will not appeal to me in value, but the business isn't about pricing everything so everyone sees value.  They have a limited supply so they only need to price things to leverage that supply for the maximum profit.

Any of us who gripe about prices of anything (and I do my share of griping), would sell the goods and services we might produce for the maximum return.  

[ScottD]

18 hours ago, monctonguy said:

Harsh?....its fact.

I don't know what the cost is...$20 for the day sounds great. 

 

But if its priced and marketed like Cococay....then its insane that ppl pay that money. 

The difference is you can still get off and enjoy PDCC without spending a dime, you make it sound like you can't. So if you choose not to get off, that's all good- but you can still enjoy a lounger on multiple beaches or the pool without spending money. The new area in Nassau is pay or don't go, I'd assume....so I get if you don't want to visit .. I most likely won't.

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, ScottD said:

The difference is you can still get off and enjoy PDCC without spending a dime, you make it sound like you can't. So if you choose not to get off, that's all good- but you can still enjoy a lounger on multiple beaches or the pool without spending money. The new area in Nassau is pay or don't go,

Exactly this.

[BrianB]

The current price structure is pretty simple; charge as much as possible as long as purchasers are willing to pay to fill all available slots.
As purchasing tends to drop, so shall the price. Supply and demand.  

After the losses during Covid, I really don’t expect RC (or any for-profit business) to fix pricing based on what seems a fair trade allowing purchasers to buy spots based on a ‘first-come first-serve’ basis. Although that may be good for customer relations, especially for those ‘in the know’ repeat customers…it doesn’t make business sense.

Since the shutdown, and the accompanying loss of revenue, it seems the ‘maximum profit’ mentality has taken over. Gone is the reasonable pricing which provides a service for a fair fee plus profit. Now it seems it’s all strictly get whatever they can get…and then some!   

Oh, well…I can chose to purchase or not to purchase. 

[OCSC Mike]

27 minutes ago, BrianB said:

The current price structure is pretty simple; charge as much as possible as long as purchasers are willing to pay to fill all available slots.
As purchasing tends to drop, so shall the price. Supply and demand.  

That's obviously logical and was my thinking as well... until my extended family had a beach club cabana on CocoCay in June which came with a direct view of MANY unoccupied OTW cabanas. Clearly people on that sailing (Wonder, only ship there) were not wiling to pay the crazy prices the OTW cabanas had risen to during the year from when this cruise was booked til we sailed yet the prices never came down.

[smokeybandit]

54 minutes ago, BrianB said:

The current price structure is pretty simple; charge as much as possible as long as purchasers are willing to pay to fill all available slots.
As purchasing tends to drop, so shall the price. Supply and demand.  

Maybe simpler than that. You charge as much as you can to maximize revenue.  If you can get 50 people to pay $250 you make more than you would with  100 people at $100

[steverk]

1 hour ago, BrianB said:

The current price structure is pretty simple; charge as much as possible as long as purchasers are willing to pay to fill all available slots.
As purchasing tends to drop, so shall the price. Supply and demand.  
 

If the demand doesn't drop off, then you can and should expect Royal to build more facilities. More cabanas, expand the water park, build more private islands, etc.

[bobroo]

The decommissioning of Up, Up, and Away at Coco Cay is a big ouch. I'm not so sure the balloon ride even broke even.

 

Yesterday I booked Explorer for this December. I dunno if Explorer is the only ship in port that day, but I was surprised to see availability for all excursions and all cabana categories.

Has anybody noticed the same? Maybe signaling a drop off in PDCC spending??? 

[OCSC Mike]

31 minutes ago, bobroo said:

I dunno if Explorer is the only ship in port that day

Doesn't look like it...

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/coco-cay-port-392?tab=schedule&month=2023-12#schedule

[Xaa]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

That's obviously logical and was my thinking as well... until my extended family had a beach club cabana on CocoCay in June which came with a direct view of MANY unoccupied OTW cabanas. Clearly people on that sailing (Wonder, only ship there) were not wiling to pay the crazy prices the OTW cabanas had risen to during the year from when this cruise was booked til we sailed yet the prices never came down.

It's not cut and dried really.  If they charge 3k vs 1k, they only need to fill 7 of the 20 OW cabanas to be $1k ahead on revenue all while doing so with less staff and providing food and service to far fewer guests.  A certain win for them even with most of the cabanas empty.

Because of the cancel rebook thing, if they lowered prices to fill the rest any whatever rate they could, they would be giving up that amount of savings on the 7 they sold at 3k.

They'll probably find the number where they can sell all 20 and maximize it without undercutting themselves.  Increasing the guest count will aid them in that endeavor.

[ScottD]

1 hour ago, bobroo said:

The decommissioning of Up, Up, and Away at Coco Cay is a big ouch. I'm not so sure the balloon ride even broke even.

 

Yesterday I booked Explorer for this December. I dunno if Explorer is the only ship in port that day, but I was surprised to see availability for all excursions and all cabana categories.

Has anybody noticed the same? Maybe signaling a drop off in PDCC spending??? 

I just think they will either re-fit it so it can actually go up in a little wind or replace it with something else altogether 

[Ampurp85]

I have booked Up, Up.... five times and it was cancelled every time due to weather. The one time I didn't book it, it actually went up. But then so has the cost, so I stopped finding the value in it. So hopefully they turn that area into something consistent.

I see no value in purchasing anything on PDCC, in fact my last two cruises I didn't even get off. All three of my cruises in Jan 2024 go to PDCC. I don't plan on getting off as that is an open casino day. 

I did the Beach club and OTW cabana once and it was a mediocre experience. I dislike the food immensely and while the OTW cabana was nice, it isn't worth more than $600-800 imho. I am not a beach person so paying for the private adults-only area isn't for me. But it works for people who would normally do all-inclusive at other ports. To each their own.