Demolition at Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico is now cleared to move forward following court rulings that lifted earlier injunctions.

On March 27, a hearing was held regarding the injunction, with the Mexican judge granting Royal Caribbean a suspension against the closure carried out by Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA), the federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws and regulations, in January.

Earlier this year, PROFEPA halted demolition at one of three sites after inspectors found "landfilling and compaction activities on a dirt road in a low-lying coastal jungle area with mangroves, as well as demolition and debris removal, all without the required environmental impact authorization from the competent federal authority." 

(Credit: Francisco Javier Hernández / Facebook)

The provisional suspension was issued after environmental activists raised concerns about the large-scale project, claiming that Mahahual's drainage and sewage management problems could be worsened by the proposed water park. There was a debate over whether Perfect Day Mexico could damage the nearby mangroves, too. 

However, despite the environmental concerns, the judge ruled in Royal Caribbean’s favor, demolition work of dilapidated structures on the port the brand now owns to continue, a local news outlet reported.

(Credit: Francisco Javier Hernández / Facebook)

While critics argue that this ruling places corporate policies and economic interests above community and environmental protection, Royal Caribbean has made it clear that it cares about the environment and will do what it can to safeguard mangrove areas, coastal ecosystems, and local wildlife. 

Royal Caribbean has consistently said it plans to follow all regulatory requirements and minimize environmental impact as the project moves forward.

For example, when questioned about the project by El Financiero last year, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, said, "We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," adding that the mangroves are already dying due to pollution from the municipal water treatment plant.

The company has also said it is committed to transparency and compliance with Mexican regulations as the legal process unfolds.

Why this matters

A project as ambitious as Perfect Day Mexico was bound to get the attention of a lot of people, and developing projects anywhere has its challenges.

On the surface, cruise fans can look forward to the eventual opening of a massive new private destination experience that builds upon the tremendous success of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Just as important is this legal maneuver proves how committed Royal Caribbean is to improving the local community around Mahaual and protecting the environment.

Just last week, the company announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art solid waste management facility in the area. This is an example of a win-win opportunity for company and community.

The current trash management that serves the area is less than ideal, and Royal Caribbean needs something more robust to support building Perfect Day Mexico.  Significantly strengthening local waste infrastructure in Mahahual not only gets them what they need, but ensures the people living in the community have access to it too.

The new solid waste facility will incorporate advanced sorting technologies, closed-loop processing systems, high-efficiency material recovery solutions, and best-in-class environmental controls, enabling more efficient waste handling, resource recovery, and reduced reliance on landfills.

Plus, they're working with Maritime Procurement Services (MPS), which is a local company and that boosts the economy there.

In October, Royal Caribbean announced plans to clean up the mangroves in the area because for years, the coastal wetlands have been used to discharge wastewater from the municipal treatment plant.

According to Mr. Schneider, the antiquated sewer plant was leaking into the surrounding mangrove ecosystem, contaminating both the mangroves and the beach adjacent to the cruise ship pier.

In turn, Royal Caribbean will build their own reverse osmosis system to provide drinking water as well as a treatment plant to clean up the area, which will later be transferred to the municipal government to serve the entire community.

Royal Caribbean is working to address coastal health and quality of life concerns in Mexico ahead of the opening of its new private destination. 

Sargassum, a type of seaweed that's known for accumulating on beaches, has been a recurring challenge in Mahahual and neighboring areas in Mexico, disrupting everything from natural habitats to the air quality. 

For example, as sargassum decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, producing a strong, unpleasant odor that can cause respiratory distress. Large patches of sargassum can also block sunlight from reaching plants and corals. As the seaweed decomposes, it consumes the oxygen in the water and harms the marine life. 

To combat this issue, Royal Caribbean has partnered with residents, businesses, environmental specialists, and even the Mexican Navy to establish a community-driven working group to help strengthen sargassum protection and removal efforts. 

This initiative is designed to deliver both immediate results and long-term benefits for the Costa Maya's cruise port, the community of Mahahual, and the southern coast of Quintana Roo.

According to the cruise line, early actions are already underway, including adding new anchor points to reinforce net systems and deploying seaweed skimming equipment designed to efficiently remove floating sargassum from the water. 

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean aims to implement a long-term solution with a state-of-the-art, low-noise, and low-impact system that will automate sargassum collection. 

"Clean and thriving shorelines are essential to the people of Mahahual," said Ari Adler, President, Royal Caribbean Mexico. 

"The community told us protecting this coastline is a top priority, and we’re acting on that commitment — deploying new equipment, strengthening barriers, and working hand-in-hand with local partners and the state of Quintana Roo to keep these beaches clean."

Royal Caribbean has been thinking about the seaweed problem for a while

Even before announcing its newest private destination, the cruise line had been exploring ways to help Mahahual and the surrounding coastline manage the persistent sargassum problem. 

"[W]e [will] work with...environmental experts on how to...help protect the coastline and make it suitable, and then protect the incoming flow of seaweed," Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Product Innovation Officer, told Royal Caribbean Blog last year. 

In addition, Schneider noted that trash along the shoreline was another concern that needed attention.

"[S]o one of the things we will do...is completely clean the coastline, but as we keep talking to the government, the big issue we have is not our ability to clean up a property; it's our ability to sustain it. We will end up putting significant manpower [into] ongoing cleaning of the coastline, because the amount of trash coming into this coast is pretty significant and very sad," he said. 

Ultimately, Royal Caribbean isn’t just after a beautiful stretch of coastline — though that is certainly part of the appeal. The company is equally committed to environmental stewardship and the long-term well-being of Mahahual and its surrounding communities, especially when faced with other concerns about the large-scale project.

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to open in 2027

Perfect Day Mexico does not have a set opening date yet. However, a cruise line spokesperson said that the brand-new private destination is set to debut "in late 2027," with the official date expected to be announced sometime this year. 

The new private destination promises a stretch of pristine beaches, unique experiences, and sustainable development. As such, it will be a standout addition to Royal Caribbean’s private destination portfolio, expanding on the award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas.

Highlights include the world's longest lazy river, adults-only beach, six pools, twelve dining spots, the tallest waterslides in North America, and more. 

Read more: When is Perfect Day Mexico going to open? Here are the latest details

Underscoring its commitment to the local community, one of the first things Royal Caribbean is doing to improve the local area around Costa Maya is to fix the long-neglected roads.

The cruise line acquired the Port of Costa Maya, along with a lot of surrounding land in order to build Perfect Day Mexico. But before it can do that, it wants to improve the infrastructure of the surrounding area.

The first step is Royal Caribbean has announced a significant investment to improve road infrastructure in Nuevo Mahahual, Mexico.

Unveiled yesterday, community roads will be rehabilitated.  The plans were shared at a collaborative meeting between company representatives, local authorities, and residents.

Why Royal Caribbean is fixing the roads

While building Perfect Day Mexico is Royal Caribbean's ultimate aim, it wants to work as a partner with the local community. Improving roads is a win-win for both company and community.

As Costa Maya is transformed over the next couple of years, Royal Caribbean is making broader investments in the area. The new infrastructure project not only reinforces the cruise line’s presence in the region but also highlights a deeper philosophy: being an active, engaged neighbor beyond just tourism.

Better roads is more than engineering, it's something the cruise line hopes will demonstrate to community stakeholders its commitment beyond words.

At the heart of the project’s announcement was a community meeting that emphasized transparency, mutual respect, and shared priorities. Residents and local leaders were invited to help define needs and next steps, setting a tone of genuine partnership rather than unilateral decision-making.

In addition to logistical improvements, Royal Caribbean is actively working to protect the local environment.

Plans have already been revealed to conserve about 111 acres of mangroves, restoring degraded coastal areas, and powering operations with 100% renewable energy by 2040.

For years, the municipality had dumped sewage into the coastal area of Mahahual, contaminating both the mangroves and the beach adjacent to the cruise ship pier.

Royal Caribbean plans to build their own reverse osmosis system to provide drinking water as well as a treatment plant to clean up the area, which will later be transferred to the municipal government to serve the entire community.

A month-long project

The project will focus on the repair and improvement of "key roads" within Nuevo Mahahual, which is the village near the Costa Maya port.

While the press release did not specify every street or exact stretch of roadway to be improved, it outlined several key operational points:

• Start and duration: Work is set to begin in the coming days and is expected to wrap up in approximately one month.
• Qualified execution: Only qualified companies holding all required permits will undertake the rehabilitation work, reflecting an emphasis on safety, compliance, and professional standards.
• Coordination: Construction will be carried out in close coordination with community leaders to ensure minimal disruption and clear communication throughout.

The hope is when it's complete, the upgraded roads will make a meaningful impact on local day-to-day life in a relatively short timeframe.

Better roads lead to Perfect Day Mexico

The short term benefit of these improved roads will be making it easier for the people that live and work around Mahahual to get around.  But these roads will be critical for Perfect Day Mexico.

This will be Royal Caribbean's second Perfect Day destination, building on the success of the first one at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Announced as part of a multi-hundred million-dollar investment, Perfect Day Mexico is designed to include water parks, beaches, culinary venues, leisure spaces, and immersive guest experiences for cruise passengers.

In fact, the footprint is as large as the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

They'll need the roads as much as the locals in order to get equipment and supplies in, as well as be able to get shore excursions out to various destinations.

As Royal Caribbean prepares its initial phase of development for a new private beach experience, a legal drama is playing out in Mexican court.

An environmental group has challenged the process in which the environmental needs of Perfect Day Mexico were approved. What this means is it's a challenge to the municipality and not Royal Caribbean's plans directly.

In short, this is a glimpse into the Mexican legal system.

According to a Mexican news outlet, the project’s potential environmental impacts are currently under review at the request of Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS), which argued that there are irregularities in the approval of the land-use changes granted to Royal Caribbean International. 

While the civil organization isn't against the proposed water park plan, it is "...in favor of respecting the law, urban planning, and the community’s right to a healthy environment."

This isn't the first time that activists have raised concerns about the large-scale project. Locals have warned that the village of Mahahual has serious drainage and sewage management problems, which could potentially be worsened by the proposed water park. 

Environmental activists have also wondered about whether the Perfect Day Mexico water park could damage the nearby mangroves. 

As such, a federal judge issued a provisional suspension of work while the case is reviewed pending a formal hearing in the coming days. 

Royal Caribbean issued a statement on the news, "We are aware of the matter; however, we do not provide public commentary on pending litigation. We are committed to continued transparency, regulatory compliance, and the highest environmental standards in the development of Perfect Day Mexico and we deeply value our partnership with the people and government of Mexico.”

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, was questioned about the project by El Financiero last year.

"We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," Schneider promised, adding that the mangroves are already dying due to pollution from the municipal water treatment plant. 

He then emphasized the cruise line's plan to restore the mangroves' health by building a new water treatment plant for the Mexican community.

Read more: When is Perfect Day Mexico going to open? Here are the latest details

Perfect Day at Mexico is a massive tourist project

Building on the success of Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Perfect Day Mexico is expected to span over 200 acres and feature a large water park, pools, beaches, an upscale beach club, dining venues, and more. 

Once complete, the world-class destination is estimated to attract up to 6 million tourists per year, transforming Costa Maya into a major stronghold for Royal Caribbean in the Western Caribbean.

According to the cruise line's plans, the proposed Loco Water Park will feature 30 adrenaline-pumping waterslides across five slide towers, including the tallest in North and South America. 

The 170-foot-tall Jaguar’s Peak will have two dueling slides. As the longest coaster waterslides in the world, riders can expect more than two minutes of twists, turns, and drops. 

Other highlights include the world’s longest lazy river, the tallest family raft slide that's designed for four to six riders, more than two miles of white-sand beaches, and a 50,000 square foot adult-only party pool. 

Royal Caribbean hasn't revealed an opening date yet for its Perfect Day Mexico project. However, they've mentioned that it will likely open in late 2027. 

This, of course, is dependent on the cruise line obtaining the necessary permits, paperwork, and approvals, as well as avoiding the possibility of a definitive suspension by the Mexican government. 

Ever since Royal Caribbean announced plans to open Perfect Day Mexico, cruisers want to know when it will open.

Royal Caribbean generated more buzz than ever in its history with the announcement of a massive new private beach destination in eastern Mexico.

Not only is it a follow-up to the wildly successful Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, but this one is poised to deliver a bold new take that expands could redefine what a cruise line private island experience is all about.

What's unclear is when exactly the first cruise ships will be able to go to Perfect Day Mexico and the official opening date.

The timeline has changed a bit since the official announcement was made, and there is more ambiguity as to when the first passengers will be able to visit.

Here's what we know so far about an opening date for Perfect Day Mexico.

Opening late 2027

Originally Royal Caribbean announced Perfect Day Mexico would open in September 2027, but that date seems to have been walked back.

At a special event in May held in New York, plans for Perfect Day Mexico were revealed and September was given as the estimated date.

However, Royal Caribbean is now saying there isn't yet a specific month or date picked out yet.

In November 2025, Royal Caribbean spokesperson said that an opening date will be revealed sometime in 2026.

"Perfect Day Mexico is set to debut in late 2027. Royal Caribbean will announce the exact opening date in 2026."

The rumor mill has swirled as to what "late 2027" refers to, but as of now it's anyone's guess.

While 2027 and 2028 cruises are available to book that stop at Costa Maya, there's no official guidance as to which sailings will be officially a Perfect Day stop.

The last thing they want to do is sell a cruise advertised as visiting Perfect Day Mexico only to have to cancel that visit later.

Once the opening date is announced, itineraries will be revised to change from "Costa Maya" to "Perfect Day Mexico".

Based on previous comments from executives, I think it's safe to say it wont be any earlier than September.

Opening at once instead of phases

When Perfect Day Mexico does open, the plan is open it all at once instead of a phased approach.

Speaking to members of the media, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider said they don't want to open parts, as was the case at CocoCay.

"The plan is still to open it all at once instead of phases," he explained. "We're going to open it all at once. I think at one point we were going to open [CocoCay] all at once, and then it became a phased approach. So yes, our ambition is all at once."

This means all the neighborhoods of Perfect Day Mexico are planned to be ready on the first official day of operation.

What's known about the construction progress

Royal Caribbean is in the process of lining up all the necessary permits, paperwork, and approvals before construction can begin.

Since the cruise line officially took ownership of the port of Costa May and land parcels nearby, it's begun some prep work.

In October 2025, plans were announced to cleanup areas of already contaminated Mahahual mangroves.

At a press conference, Mr. Schneider explained that for years, the coastal wetlands have been used to discharge wastewater from the municipal treatment plant.

According to him, the municipality currently dumps sewage into the coastal area of Mahahual, contaminating both the mangroves and the beach adjacent to the cruise ship pier.

Royal Caribbean plans to build their own reverse osmosis system to provide drinking water as well as a treatment plant to clean up the area, which will later be transferred to the municipal government to serve the entire community.

At some point, demolition and land clearing will begin in and around Costa Maya.

What features Perfect Day Mexico will include

Royal Caribbean is planning to offer the ultimate combo of "thrill and chill" with Perfect Day Mexico.

One of the most anticipated new features is going to be the longest lazy river in the world. There's a lazy component, along with a "crazy river" that will offer ways to get more wet and have a laugh too.

Plus, there's an entire water park with more than 30 waterslides across five towers. The Jaguar's Peak slide will be more than 170 feet tall, which makes it the tallest slide tower in either North or South America.

Chill Beach will have nearly 2 miles of white sand beaches.

Two extra cost admission areas will have day passes to purchase: the adults-only El Hideaway or Costa Beach Club. 

El Hideaway is just for guests 18 or older, and it has a 50,000 sq. ft. party pool. There are multiple swim-up bars, DJ entertainment, and live music.

Costa Beach Club is the elevated beach spot, where crowds are limited and you'll find secluded beaches and pools with luxurious loungers and private service.

How the opening could affect cruises in 2026 and 2027

Costa Maya, as we know it, will be completely redeveloped and reshaped, but it will be a process to get to opening day.

The plan is to demolish all of the current port area, which includes shops, restaurants, and bars. Royal Caribbean will clear it all to make way for Perfect Day Mexico.

Cruise ships visiting in 2026 and most of 2027 will likely encounter some level of construction and closure in the immediate area of the port.

Excursions to the village of Mahahual and surrounding area will remain unaffected.  Tour groups and those venturing on their own will be able to walk past the construction areas to access buses and taxis.

What to do if you want to be first?

If you'd like to experience Perfect Day Mexico on opening day, you'll need to wait a bit longer to know which cruise to book.

Since there's no official opening date announced yet, any sailing that is scheduled to visit Costa Maya in 2027 is debatable if it would be "the one".

If the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is any indication, a date will be announced as the opening date and then it's up to cruisers to determine which cruise ships are scheduled to visit the port on or after the opening day.

There almost certainly will be soft openings in the days leading up to the official first day, but we won't know for certain of that until much later in 2027.

Royal Caribbean is planning to completely overhaul the port of Costa Maya in Mexico and that's gotten the attention of locals who have concerns.

Earlier this summer, the cruise line revealed plans to construct its biggest private destination yet. In fact, the footprint is as large as the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

The ambitious plans were received with astonishment from the public for all the fun activities, but some people are worried about the impact it will have on the area.

An online petition has collected over 200,000 signatures asking for the project to stop the project.

The creator of the petition claims Perfect Day Mexico will be restrictive and disruptive to the people and environment.

This project directly threatens our rights of access and use of the sea, beaches, and mangroves, our local identity, our way of life, our freedom to live here, and above all, the survival of unique and threatened ecosystems

Royal Caribbean defended its plans, and promises to be transparent and open as it moves forward with the project.

"Careful planning and open dialogue"

The petition caught the attention of Royal Caribbean, as they want to be as open about their plans as possible.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider issued a statement to Riviera Maya News that explains their approach and why their plans are not what's being characterized by the online petition.

According to the statement, the development will be "characterized by transparency and a profound respect for the local community and the environment."

It's true the cruise line bought the Port of Costa Maya in July, but it's merely the first step in a journey that will take many years, "Perfect Day Mexico is designed to generate a positive and lasting impact on the economy, the local community, and the environment."

Royal Caribbean is aware of the concerns locals have regarding the impact the project will have on the environment, local resources, and small businesses.

In response, Royal Caribbean said it has been meeting with stakeholders, "Since we recently took on responsibility for managing the port, we have worked closely with employees, local operators, and authorities to listen, identify, and understand their priorities. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of opportunities that benefit everyone."

Environment

In response to the strong concerns about how Perfect Day Mexico could be problematic to the ecosystem in the greater Mahahual area, Royal Caribbean pledged to do everything it can to protect it.

"As part of our ongoing environmental commitment, we will preserve 45 hectares of existing mangroves," the statement said.

Additionally, they promised to ensure natural water flow is not changed, "we will actively participate in restoring water flow throughout the ecosystem and work to reverse existing degradation in aquifer layers, allowing the mangroves to thrive in a healthy natural habitat."

Furthermore, Mr. Schneider stressed construction would not begin until environmental permits are secured and a community meeting has been held, "construction and renovation activities will only begin once we have obtained the necessary environmental permits from the competent authorities."

Another pledge Royal Caribbean has made is to Perfect Day Mexico will be a green operation.

By 2040, the entire area will operate on 100% green energy, "Our commitment to using 100% green energy to supply our site by 2040 is based on a holistic approach to sustainable development that balances economic growth, community inclusion, and environmental protection."

Protecting the sea turtles

Royal Caribbean said it will work with environmental associations to protect native species, including sea turtle nesting sites.

Mr. Schneider said that more than 95% of wastewater generated today in Mahahual is untreated.

According to the company, reef structures will remain untouched, and new waste management systems will be put in place to prevent further contamination.

Royal Caribbean's approach includes:

• A wastewater treatment plant
• A solid waste management facility serving both tourists and residents
• Programs to eliminate single-use plastics

"This new facility will represent a transformative change for the region and reduce its environmental impact."

"We will also collaborate with environmental associations to enhance the area, leaving existing reef structures intact, and implementing sustainable solutions to manage waste and coastal resources. We are committed to protecting native species, including sea turtle nesting sites and coastal flora."

What about small businesses?

In addition to the environment, a number of companies that cater to cruise tourists today are worried about being driven out of business.

Royal Caribbean responded by saying the development will include, "Training programs for local employees, access to educational and healthcare services, as well as the integration of advanced technologies in energy and mobility that will significantly reduce carbon emissions in the area."

He also reiterated that direct and open dialogue with nearby communities will continue throughout the process, calling transparency "a practice that we will continue as part of our commitment."

What Royal Caribbean has planned

It will take two years for Costa Maya to be converted into Perfect Day Mexico, and the cruise port will remain open in the meantime.

The port will continue to allow other cruise lines to stop at the Port of Costa Maya, allowing their passengers to enjoy the excursions and activities around Mahahual.  The actual Perfect Day Mexico property will be exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests (although they are free to do go out and do other tours too).

Over $600 million will be invested in building a water park, beach clubs, a lazy river, shopping areas, and lots of dining. In fact, it will have 30 slides and the longest lazy river in the world.

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to open for Royal Caribbean guests in Fall 2027.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for four new beach projects, and they all have a common bond: they're taking inspiration by and improving ideas from one private island.

Perfect Day at CocoCay has been the pride and joy of Royal Caribbean ever since it opened in 2019.  It's been a commercial and critical success, offering more ways for cruise ship passengers to enjoy a beach day while fundamentally changing what a private beach is all about.

The key to success with CocoCay is at the heart of the new projects Royal Caribbean is developing around the world: thrill, beaches, cabanas, and guest satisfaction.

Each of the new enclaves exclusively available to Royal Caribbean passengers has its own feel, but you'll easily draw parallels between all of them back to CocoCay.

What made CocoCay a hit in the first place

When Royal Caribbean decided to overhaul its private island in The Bahamas, they did so with a guest-first design based on feedback.

The cruise line surveyed their customers extensively to determine what they're looking for in a "perfect" beach day. That lead them to come up with ideas that would serve the various wants.

When you look at a map of Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll see different areas that clearly speak to people who want to relax, engage in activities, get away from it all, have some thrills, and more.

On top of that, Royal Caribbean baked in seamless logistics.  They built a pier so it would be easy to get on and off the ship.  They extended WiFi to the island along with drink package benefits.  CocoCay is meant to be an extension of the ship experience.

Plus, Royal Caribbean placed high attention to detail and upscale options.  They wanted to offer something for everyone, so that it could be perfect.  New expansions offered an upscale day at the Coco Beach Club while Hideaway Beach provided a highly-requested adults-only area.

The incredibly high guest satisfaction scores CocoCay produces was the impetus for taking that approach and spreading it to other destinations.

Bringing over the best ideas from CocoCay

After reading through the plans Royal Caribbean has for its new destinations, it's clear they are not reinventing the wheel.

Perfect Day Mexico is the most obvious place where the best of CocoCay gets brought over and expanded.

You'll find areas for chill, thrill, and family throughout the new destination that will be double the size of CocoCay.

Every single copy is more than a facsimile of what came before it.  Royal Caribbean saw what was working on CocoCay, and then doubled down on it in Mexico.

El Hideaway and Costa Beach Club are both zones that get a much larger footprint to offer more space and amenities than ever before.

Perfect Day Mexico will even have a lazy river, which was the top request of cruisers to be added at CocoCay.  Unfortunately, CocoCay is too small for a lazy river, so that idea will become reality in Mexico.

In looking at the beach clubs, we see the same core DNA of CocoCay here. No matter how you spend your day in these places, Royal Caribbean has placed a strong emphasis on cleanliness, comfort, and crowd flow.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, has three zones: chill, party, and family.  Those three areas are based on Chill Beach, Hideaway, and Harbor Beach from CocoCay.

You'll find a fair amount included with your cruise fare, but also opportunities to upgrade and splurge on extras like a cabana.

Cabanas at CocoCay went from a basic offering to expansive and impressive VIP spots.

These premium upgrades dot every one of the new expansions, and some of the new ideas are going well beyond what CocoCay ever had.

The Ultimate Family Cabana at Paradise Island is going have a major wow factor to it.

It has two levels and includes a slide, dedicated whirlpool, frozen drink machine and more.

For those that want a celebration, try the party wings you can rent at Paradise Island in the party zone. 

In Perfect Day Mexico, there will be a Party Cabana to rent, which can handle up to 20 people. It has its own dedicated bathroom, its own bar, and it'll have its own bartender.

New and better ideas too

While each of these destinations takes inspiration from Perfect Day at CocoCay, there's much more to love that goes beyond it.

There's a level of cultural integration into each project, where cruisers will feel a level of authenticity with their visit.

The goal is infuse local culture through food, art, and music.  The cruise line isn't trying to fool you into thinking you're in some historic area.  Rather, they want you to be able to enjoy the best the host country has to offer as well.

There will be local flavors, colors, art, and architecture — especially at Perfect Day Mexico and Lelepa.

You'll also find new attractions and ideas that are brand new to the cruise line.

In Perfect Day Mexico, there are trajinera rides down the river, a massive sombrero and margarita bars, along with a whole new area of Celebration Cove.

Royal Caribbean will introduce new ideas at Paradise Island with multi-zone arrival points, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and all-inclusive pricing.

There's also a deeper environmental commitment with these projects.

As an example, 50% of the land at Perfect Day Mexico will be preserved to ensure the mangroves are available for future generations to enjoy.

You'll also find zero waste to landfill goals in these new projects that combine with local partnerships in operations and long-term stewardship.

Why this matters to you

If all of this sounds nice, but you're not sure why you should care, the answer is it all funnels back to a core goal: offering cruisers the ultimate beach day.

The new projects open up the Western Caribbean and South Pacific to Royal Caribbean's signature experience that its customers already love.

There are more options to match guest preferences in each port: family-friendly, adults-only, group celebrations.

It also gives returning cruisers new reasons to sail again, especially on western Caribbean itineraries that have long had complaints about being too repetitive.

Royal Caribbean isn’t just expanding, it’s refining what's great about what it offers. These new destinations are an evolution, not a repeat.

When we get to 2027 and all four of these new destinations are operational, there's bound to be a private destination that could easily be the highlight of every sailing.

One of the centerpieces of Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico plans is an enormous water park that is all about one type of slides: rafts.

This will be the second water park that Royal Caribbean will operate, but this one is shifting its plans because the cruise line acknowledges that, "raft slides are by far the best slides that we offer our guests and what they're looking for."

Royal Caribbean revealed its plans last week for a new private destination in what is now Costa Maya, Mexico. By far the most visible feature is the addition of Loco Waterpark.

There will be more than 30 waterslides spread across three towers, and there will be many more raft slides compared to Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The decision to have more raft slides instead of body slides is something the cruise line decided after reviewing feedback from its customers.

"What we've learned is there's significant amount of guest demand for raft slides and a lesser demand on body slides. And so we are dialing back the number of body slides and dialing up the number of raft slides," said Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider during a review of the park plans.

Why do passengers like rafts better? Because they can share the experience.

"What we've learned in this journey is people love family raft slides," he shared and said this includes any slide you can go on with someone else.

Moreover, this trend is going to be something Royal Caribbean is going to lean into even more with future projects outside of Costa Maya.

"That doesn't mean we walk away from drop slides or body slides, but you will see us go much heavier in raft slides here and likely in the future expansion of [CocoCay], go heavier in raft slides as you look at future Icons," alluding to work on new Icon Class cruise ships as well as adding more slides to CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean hired a water slide influencer to help design it all

Loco Waterpark will encompass 15 acres, and have the world's tallest dueling waterslides.  And it was designed with the help of a waterslide expert.

Alex Ojeda is an influencer with over 8.4 million followers on TikTok, and he's been collaborating with Royal Caribbean for years.  

This time, Royal Caribbean hired him to help out.

"I was hired to help design this waterpark. Shaping slides, guest experience and how the thrill flows from tower to tower," he shared in an Instagram reel.

During the reveal event in New York City, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley pointed out Mr. Ojeda and credited him with helping shape the vision for the waterpark.

Clearly, Mr. Ojeda's vision was to add big, thrilling, and fast slides.  

Perfect Day Mexico will be home to the tallest water slide tower in the Americas. Standing over 170ft tall, you can ride the longest water slide coaster and two of the tallest family raft slides on Earth.

The park also features the world's first Sombrero waterslide, as well as a hydro launch slide that launches riders 40ft into the air.

Mr. Schneider said they want to hear people screaming on these slides, "we want the want the Jaguar to basically be just the sounding board of screaming."

Other slides you can expect include:

• Sombrero toilet bowl slide
• Boomerang slide
• Body drop slide
• Trap door body slide
• Freefall corkscrew slide
• High speed body slide
• 3 tube slides that dial back a little bit of the intensity
• Mat racer slides
• Helix twist slide

If that wasn't enough, there will be also a wave pool, along with an adventure pool for kids.

There's an admission cost to Loco Waterpark, but prices aren't available yet.

Royal Caribbean employs dynamic pricing based on demand, so there will be a range of prices that will be revealed closer to the opening of Perfect Day Mexico.

Instead of picking a ship, you might be picking the private destination as the top reason to choose a cruise.

Royal Caribbean revealed the full details of four different beach destination projects it's working on, and collectively it's evolving its product offering forward beyond any other cruise line or resort.

"Now, guests are choosing to sail with us so that they can go to CocoCay," said Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider. "Sometimes it's actually more important CocoCay than it is the ship that they're on."

The success Royal Caribbean has had with its Perfect Day at CocoCay project lead them on the path to spawn an even bigger project in Mexico, along with two beach clubs and a new private destination.

According to Schneider, visiting destinations is the top reason their customers choose a Royal Caribbean cruise.  But new Royal Caribbean exclusives could change how people think of picking a vacation.

"The difference is, in addition to saying, I want to go to Aruba, they're going to continue to say... I want to go to Perfect Day at CocoCay."

That change in approach to picking private destinations as a primary factor could be  a real difference maker for Royal Caribbean.

Caribbean cruises with an oasis at each stop

By the time we get to the end of 2027, Royal Caribbean will have two Perfect Day operations open, along with two beach clubs, across the Caribbean.

It's not difficult to imagine itineraries where each stop has a top rated spot at each port that Royal Caribbean customers can enjoy.

Your cruise could sail away from Miami, stop at the Royal Beach Club Cozumel, then hit Perfect Day Mexico the next day, and conclude with a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning home.

Royal Caribbean isn't moving away from bringing its customers to everywhere else in the Caribbean, but they're also looking to offer its customers what they want: highly rated experiences that passengers love.

At the official announcement event in New York on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley restated that Perfect Day at CocoCay is the number one rated place by customers their ships visit.

Like any business, Royal Caribbean wants to take that winning formula that makes its customers so satisfied and spread it around.

In the case of Nassau, the line wants to address a much-needed problem where passengers frankly hate visiting there.

In terms of guest satisfaction, Nassau ranks in the bottom 10% of ports, and that's a big reason why Royal Caribbean wants to build a club there.

But with Cozumel and Costa Maya, there are opportunities to add more and spread what worked at CocoCay so its passengers can have a great experience elsewhere.

In all cases, the goal is simple: elevate the experience by making things easier and better for passengers.  Take that formula and apply it liberally.

Dreaming of perfect cruises

Almost as soon as Royal Caribbean announced its plans for Perfect Day Mexico and its beach clubs, cruise fans began asking for sailings that visit them all.

"Would love to go to Coco Cay and Perfect Day Mexico on the same cruise," posted RCIfan1912 on the Royal Caribbean message boards.

aherrera04 posted on Reddit, "With all the new Perfect Day projects released I just need a cruise that stops in all of them maybe with a sea day in between."

"5 night from Orlando, stops at CoCoCay and Mexico… where do I sign up" added NathanJax.

When does each of these new places open?

It's going to be a busy few years as Royal Caribbean gets all of these new spots ready to go.

Perfect Day Mexico is slated to open September 2027, and Royal Caribbean will likely offer itineraries that visit both Perfect Day locales when they go on sale.

Expect the first batch of new cruises to be on sale in the fall, around November of this year.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel is expected to open in December 2026, and it sounds like it will be at the very end of December.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be the first beach club to open, and that will start up operations in December 2025.  Once again, expect a late opening in the month.

Finally, Lelepa will open sometime in early 2027.

Keep in mind you cannot book admission or tickets to any of the beach clubs yet.  Royal Caribbean says more information and pricing will be released soon.

Royal Caribbean is pushing the boundaries forward with its vision for its next beach private beach getaway.

The cruise line just revealed everything we wanted to know about what there is to do inside Perfect Day Mexico, and it's a leap ahead of anything they've come up with yet.

Royal Caribbean thinks it already built the best cruise line beach day experience with Perfect Day at CocoCay, and now it wants to go well beyond that with Perfect Day Mexico.

"It is meant to be just an amazing over the top experience," Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider explained as he gave Royal Caribbean Blog an exclusive first look ahead of the line's big reveal.

Perfect Day Mexico is a means to not just bring over what worked at CocoCay, but expand and dream bigger.

One of the most anticipated new features is going to be the longest lazy river in the world, which is a feature customers have been clamoring for.

"The two top things that guests have been looking for at Perfect Day at CocoCay: number one, a lazy river. And number two adult space."

While there wasn't enough land to do a lazy river at CocoCay, Mexico will be where this must-have is going to land.

"Being able to build, kind of a call it a white paper Perfect Day in Mexico, gave us the affordance to build the world's longest lazy river with a crazy branch, if you want to choose to go that path."

Access to the lazy river is included in your cruise fare. But Royal Caribbean's lazy river is not going to be like the one's you've probably been on before.

There will be a few different "Tubes and Tequila Bar" locations you can stop at, where you latch your tube to a bar and take a break for a cocktail.

Mr. Schneider hinted at a cooler of beer idea they're working on, "We're kicking around this idea where maybe you take a cooler...because being in the longest lazy river in the world, you're in that body of water, if you choose for up to or more than an hour to get around it."

As you meander around the river, the lazy river approaches the entrance to Loco Waterpark, the water conditions would get rougher as you enter the "crazy" section of it.  

He says the crazy section is still in development, "we're trying to find a way to make it crazy and still approachable by everybody who wants to go down that path."

The idea right now is there's a fork in the river, with a calm and peaceful path on one side, and a foreboding crazy path on the other.

"We'll probably have fun with theming and we'll probably have some fun with drama and figure out how to really differentiate the two."

More raft slides than ever before

Next door to the lazy river is Loco Waterpark, an extra cost venue that is once again offering what its customers want the most: raft slides.

You'll find both raft slides and body slides, but many more raft slides compared to CocoCay.

"What we've learned is there's significant amount of guest demand for raft slides and a lesser demand on body slides. And so we are dialing back the number of body slides and dialing up the number of raft slides."

As an example, the tallest family raft slide is designed for four to six riders at once so you can experience it together.

Royal Caribbean says there will be more than 30 waterslides across five towers, and they're even looking to outdo everyone else again.

The Jaguar's Peak slide will be more than 170 feet tall, which makes it the tallest slide tower in either North or South America.

Then there are the hydrolaunch slides that shoot riders into the air and the world’s first sombrero slide, modeled after Mexico’s iconic sombrero. 

Opening in 2027

When Perfect Day Mexico opens fall 2027, it's going to be big and full of new things to try.

You'll walk into the Fiesta Plaza to see the world’s largest sombrero bar — a towering 20-meter-high structure. 

Walk in, or hop on a trajinera (Mexican-style gondolas). It's a signature new feature to offer a different way to go get from point A to point B.

You could stop right at Chill Beach, which has nearly 2 miles of white sand beaches.

There are two exclusive areas with admission cost you could buy a pass to: the adults-only El Hideaway or Costa Beach Club. 

The inland El Hideaway is just for guests 18 or older, and it has a 50,000 sq. ft. party pool. There are multiple swim-up bars, DJ entertainment, and live music.

Costa Beach Club is the elevated beach spot, where crowds are limited and you'll find secluded beaches and pools with luxurious loungers and private service.

"There are things that we've never done before. There are things that are evolutions that are working. And then there are traditions," Mr. Schneider said of the planning for this new 200 acre site.

Royal Caribbean will put the new itineraries visiting Perfect Day Mexico on sale this fall, with ships visiting from Florida, Texas, and New Orleans.