Royal Caribbean’s newest destination, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, is designed to give cruisers an exclusive, resort-style alternative to a traditional Nassau port day. As Nassau regularly ranks low among cruise passenger satisfaction surveys, Royal Caribbean identified an opportunity to invest in a private, curated alternative.
Accessed by ferry from the Nassau cruise pier, the paid beach club bundles transportation, pools, food, drinks, and beach access into a single admission price — positioning it as a premium shore experience rather than a casual beach stop.
After much hype from the cruise line, Royal Caribbean officially opened the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island on December 23, 2025. But, as early guests begin sharing first-hand experiences, some aren’t quite sure the splurge is worthwhile.
While the Royal Beach Club is well-organized and beautifully designed, many passengers are questioning whether the value justifies the price.
One of the most comprehensive early reviews was shared by cruiser Jenn Yazzetti in the Symphony of the Seas Facebook group, where she offered an honest, first-hand account of her experience.
In this article, we break down her visit to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and why she isn’t convinced the experience justifies its price.
All photos and details featured in this article were taken by Jenn Yazzetti and are published with her permission.
A smooth arrival to the Royal Beach Club, with some caveats
Guests access the Royal Beach Club via ferry boats located about halfway down the Nassau pier. According to Yazzetti, there are five colorful ferries in rotation, and the ride takes roughly eight minutes, including docking and unloading. She described the process as efficient, noting that “it’s a smooth ride and the crew are so friendly.”
Passengers must bring their SeaPass card to board the ferry and re-enter the ship, along with a government-issued photo ID. Yazzetti strongly recommended leaving passports onboard and using a driver’s license instead.
Guests can find accessibility accommodations, but the options appear to be limited. The ferry boarding ramp is small—“smaller than the ramp to get off the ship,” she noted.
In addition, sand wheelchairs are available, though she only saw four available early in the day. Pools are also equipped with chair lifts, and shallow in-water loungers sit in just a few inches of water, making them accessible for guests who can manage a single step.
However, the return logistics drew criticism. Guests are dropped off near the Straw Market, which Yazzetti described as “the farthest part of the port area.”
From there, it’s a long walk back to the secure cruise terminal, with no golf carts available until guests pass back through security. She said crew members acknowledged the concern and indicated the feedback would be passed along.
Royal Beach Club Paradise is well organized, but limited options are available
Inside the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the layout is divided into three zones: Chill Zone, Party Zone, and Family Zone. Each zone has its own unique vibe, pool, bar, and music style. However, in practice, the experience is largely the same across all three.
Each zone has the same identical food pavilion and menu, which quickly became a focal point of criticism in the comment thread. While the pools themselves were described as expansive and comfortable, several guests felt the overall food options were lackluster for the price being charged.
According to Yazzetti, food options are very simple, and many cruisers found them underwhelming. The menu includes cheeseburgers and chicken tenders identical to those found in the ship’s Windjammer buffet, along with a fish sandwich, shrimp skewers, a mushroom burger, and a single salad.
Sides are limited to fries, coleslaw, and two versions of mac and cheese. Desserts include cookies, sliced pineapple, and bundt cakes, and were similarly described as basic.
One commenter on the review shared: “For the price they are charging there needs to be a lot more food options. At least a plain chicken sandwich.”
Another guest who visited the beach club the same day wrote, “Food options are terrible. It’s like a bad kids menu. No healthy options.”
Here’s a complete list of the food items available at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
- Paradise Signature Cheeseburger: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and Crack Sauce on a brioche bun.
- Shroom BBQ Burger: American cheese, lettuce, tomato with charred pineapple BBQ sauce.
- Shrimp Skewers: Pinwheel shrimp with sweet guava glaze, served over island slaw.
- Crispy Fish Sandwich: Fried fish with island slaw dressing on a brioche bun.
- Chicken Tender Wrap: Lettuce, pickled red onion, drizzled with charred pineapple BBQ sauce. Served chilled.
- Chicken Tenders: Fire engine fritters. Hand-held crispy bites with corned beef and gooey cheese. Served with Crack Sauce.
- Tropical Salad: Fresh lettuce, pineapple chunks, red pepper, pickled red onion, feta, candied walnuts. Served with Island Vinaigrette. Add grilled shrimp or crispy chicken.
Island Sides
- Bahamian Baked Mac & Cheese: Creamy cheddar sauce with diced peppers and spices.
- Kids Mac & cheese: Creamy macaroni pasta with melted cheddar.
- Island Slaw: Creamy island slaw with a little kick.
- French Fries: Crispy and golden.
Drinks are included, but with restrictions
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island features a drink menu with a selection of tropical cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits, along with two zero-proof mocktails.
Here’s a quick summary of the different admission options for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island:
- Unlimited Open Bar & Dining Day Pass (21+) Includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, all-day dining, high-speed Wi-Fi, and round-trip ferry transportation.
- Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks & Dining Day Pass Includes bottomless non-alcoholic beverages, all-day dining, Wi-Fi, and transportation (no alcohol).
- Beverage Package Bundles Combine a Deluxe Beverage Package or Refreshment Package for the full cruise with Royal Beach Club access at a discounted rate. Some bundles also include Thrill Waterpark and Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
However, soda options are limited to fountain drinks only, with Diet Coke as the sole diet option. There are no Coca-Cola Freestyle machines on the island, a detail that caught some guests off guard.
Amenities are thoughtfully planned, but not expansive
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island offers a range of basic resort-style amenities designed to keep guests comfortable throughout the day.
Free lockers are available for guests to store personal belongings, and towel stations are located throughout the property, eliminating the need to bring towels from the ship. Life jackets are also provided for guests with a variety of sizes available for swimming.
Smoking is strictly regulated at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, with one clearly designated smoking area. Guests who smoke outside that zone risk removal from the beach club without a refund.
Guests also have access to complimentary Project Reef sunscreen stations, offering mineral SPF 30 and SPF 50 options along with a cooling after-sun lotion—an eco-conscious amenity designed to protect both skin and the surrounding marine environment.
Cabanas range from simple shade to high-end family upgrades
Cabanas at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island vary widely in both location and level of amenities, ranging from basic shaded seating to highly upgraded private spaces.
Standard cabanas are located throughout the property, with some positioned near the pools and others set farther back.
The Ultimate Family Cabana is the top-of-the-line option and offers a luxurious experience. According to Yazzetti, this cabana includes “a slide, hammocks, hot tub, TV with Netflix and YouTube TV, slushy dispensers, etc.”
Designed as a self-contained space, The Ultimate Family Cabana allows families to spend most of the day in one private area rather than moving around the beach club.
Here’s how much you can expect to spend on a cabana or daybed while visiting Royal Beach Club Paradise Island:
- Ultimate Family Cabana: ~$9,999.99 for the day. Includes up to 12 day passes and a private retreat with amenities such as a whirlpool, slide, private bathroom/shower, TV, drink machine, hammocks, and more.
- Royal Pool Cabana / Royal Beach Cabana: ~$2,999.99. Includes up to 10 day passes.
- Beach Cabana: ~$2,199.99. Includes up to 8 day passes.
- Party Deck (private second-floor space overlooking the pool): ~$4,999.99. Includes up to 12 day passes.
- Day Bed (basic cabana-style daybed): Around $649.99 for two people (with two day passes included)
Does the value justify the price?
Pricing for the Royal Beach Club varies widely by ship and sailing. Some cruisers reported seeing prices as low as $105 on sale, while others, like Yazzetti, saw prices as high as $161.99 per person.
One commenter who booked at a lower price defended the purchase, writing, “It is still cheaper than other excursions and I would have to buy food and drinks, so it’s definitely worth giving this a try.”
Others were far less forgiving. Several guests said they were reconsidering future bookings altogether. “It looks like I might be canceling the four cruises I already have it booked on,” one cruiser wrote.
Another added, “We are booked for February and will probably cancel as well.”
A divisive first impression for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Despite the criticism, not all feedback was negative. Several guests praised the cleanliness, the heated pools, and the calm, controlled atmosphere. Some said they enjoyed the experience and would return, particularly if they could book at a lower price point.
Even still, the dominant sentiment in early discussions suggests that expectations were high—and for many, not fully met.
Many commenters also compared the experience to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, including Yazzetti.
She concluded, “It was a good day but I don’t think I can justify the cost (my next Symphony sailing has the RBC priced at $161.99) because it’s basically CocoCay with much less food and drink options. The heated pool is nice, but expensive.”
Another commenter echoed that frustration, saying, “I’ll splurge for Coco Beach Club and get served steak for less.”
One commenter shared, “Very basic, poor food, sub Carnival Cruise level. Lots of hype and I think Royal overpaid for the venue and are sticking it the guests. Hopefully they either increase the quality or drop the price. One and done on this one.”
For now, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island appears to be a well-executed concept still searching for the right balance between price and perceived value. Whether it becomes a Nassau must-do or a skip for budget-conscious cruisers may depend on how quickly the cruise line responds to this early feedback.
