Royal Caribbean’s brand-new beach club on the idyllic Greek island of Santorini has officially opened, and some of the first guests are already sharing their honest reviews online.
Less than two weeks after welcoming its first visitors, Royal Beach Club Santorini is earning praise from cruisers, with one guest describing the excursion as a “premium experience at a reasonable price.”
The detailed review was posted to Reddit by user “Wutz_Taterz_Precious” and offers one of the first comprehensive looks inside the beach club experience. The review included new details about Royal Beach Club Santorini’s offerings and amenities, including the food, atmosphere, logistics, and the beach itself.
The reviewer visited as part of Royal Caribbean’s “Ultimate Santorini Day with Royal Beach Club” excursion alongside their partner, grandparents, and two children under 5 years old. The excursion itinerary included stops in both Oia and Fira before spending roughly three hours at the beach club in the late afternoon and evening.
Photo and review credit: Reddit user “Wutz_Taterz_Precious” via r/royalcaribbean.
Inside Royal Caribbean’s vision for Royal Beach Club Santorini
According to Royal Caribbean, Royal Beach Club Santorini was designed to combine “the breathtaking volcanic beaches” of Santorini with the cruise line’s signature hospitality and locally inspired experiences.
In a press release, Royal Caribbean said the beach club would showcase the “vibrant Grecian spirit and culture” of the island with premium beach amenities, Mediterranean cuisine, live entertainment, and panoramic Aegean Sea views.
The cruise line also emphasized that the excursion was created to help ease congestion in Santorini by distributing guests across multiple starting points throughout the island, allowing visitors to experience both iconic towns like Oia and Fira and a more relaxing beach escape along Santorini’s volcanic coastline.
“I’m glad we did it this way because it was nice to do the active part of the excursion walking the historic towns then relax for the rest of the day at the beach club,” the reviewer wrote.
Listings are currently available on Celebrity Cruises’ website for “Ultimate Santorini” excursions that include admission to Royal Beach Club Santorini. Prices are advertised at $284 per adult and $199 per child for the full-day excursion, although pre-cruise promotions can reduce the cost. For instance, an upcoming reservation on Rhapsody of the Seas shows admission at $194 per person for Royal Beach Club Santorini.
Guests can also choose between morning or afternoon access to the beach club. The approximately eight-hour excursion includes guided visits to both Oia and Fira, along with roughly 3.5 hours at Royal Beach Club Santorini.
First visitors say Royal Caribbean’s newest beach club exceeded expectations
According to the Reddit user, Royal Beach Club Santorini didn’t feel overly commercialized or heavily branded. Instead, the beach club featured a more refined Greek island aesthetic with a more authentic feel.
Photos shared from the visit show rows of white beach umbrellas and cushioned loungers lining Santorini’s black volcanic sand. The natural wood furniture, woven seating, stone accents, and open-air terraces overlooking the Aegean Sea create a contemporary atmosphere for cruisers.
The dramatic volcanic cliffs surrounding the property help give the venue a more secluded feel despite being part of a cruise excursion.
“As we entered the premises we were greeted with cold towels…and free alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixed drinks by the abundant and very friendly staff,” the reviewer explained.
“The ambiance was excellent and there was even a live band playing a mix of Greek folk music and covers of pop songs.”
The reviewer emphasized that while the venue was busy, it never felt overcrowded. They described finding seating easily throughout the afternoon and said there were no significant lines for food or drinks.
Royal Caribbean previously said the venue was designed to reflect Santorini’s culture and scenery rather than operate as a traditional private island experience. The cruise line described the club as a more boutique-style destination focused on local cuisine, music, and beachside relaxation.
The authentic Greek cuisine was a highlight
The reviewer said the quality and variety of food exceeded expectations, especially compared to what many cruisers might expect from a beach excursion buffet.
According to the post, the buffet featured a large selection of Greek and Mediterranean dishes. This included spanakopita, moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, kebabs, gyros, Greek salads, hummus, tzatziki, cod, rice pilaf, slow-cooked lamb, and multiple dips and sides. More familiar options like hamburgers and french fries were also available for cruisers wanting something a little less traditional.
“They also had a coffee bar and some great soft serve Greek frozen yogurt,” the reviewer added.
The beverage selection also received positive feedback from the visitor. Complimentary drinks reportedly included local red, white, and rosé wines along with a local beer called Lava Lager. In the comments, the reviewer clarified that guests did not need Royal Caribbean’s onboard drink package to enjoy the included beverages at the beach club.
Mixed cocktails beyond the welcome drink were available for an extra charge.
Santorini’s volcanic coastline is a major part of the experience
The beach club sits along Santorini’s famous black volcanic coastline, and the reviewer described the scenery as one of their favorite parts of the experience.
“The black volcanic sand gives the beach a beautiful look,” the Reddit user wrote, adding that the shoreline stretched for roughly one to two kilometers in either direction with minimal surrounding development.
Photos from the visit show steep volcanic cliffs rising directly behind the beach while the dark sand contrasts sharply against the white umbrellas and loungers.
The reviewer noted the beach was well equipped with loungers, umbrellas, towels, changing cabanas, lifeguards, foot washing stations, and beachside service.
However, they also pointed out that front-row chairs filled quickly and that the sand could likely become extremely hot during the summer months.
They also mentioned the water temperature in early May was fairly cold, with relatively few guests actually swimming during their visit.
The excursion also avoids one of Santorini’s biggest frustrations
Several commenters on Reddit specifically asked about logistics, particularly because Santorini is known for long cable car lines, steep walking paths, and crowded tender operations.
The reviewer explained that guests booked on Royal Caribbean’s official excursion avoided much of that process entirely.
“Because you have an official excursion booked you are tendered directly to a dock with a bus waiting for you; no need to navigate the donkey stairs or cable cars,” they wrote.
The reviewer also acknowledged that the sightseeing portions in Oia and Fira felt somewhat rushed at roughly one hour each, especially for families with young children. Still, they felt combining sightseeing with a more relaxing beach afternoon worked well.
Overall, the reviewer described the experience as relaxing and authentic for a cruise-sponsored beach club.
“I would strongly recommend it if it is in your budget and you like eating Greek food and/or lounging on the beach,” shared the cruiser.
Not everyone was convinced by the Santorini beach club concept
Before Royal Beach Club Santorini officially opened, many cruisers questioned whether a cruise line-operated beach club belonged on one of Greece’s most iconic islands.
While some travelers welcomed the idea of a more organized and relaxing beach experience on one of Europe’s busiest cruise islands, others worried the project represented another step toward the “Disneyfication” of iconic destinations.
Most of the criticism centered around Santorini itself. The Greek island is famous for its whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, volcanic cliffs, and dramatic caldera views. As one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, some cruisers questioned why someone would spend part of their day at a cruise line-operated beach club instead of exploring the island.
Across social media, many commenters expressed concern that Royal Caribbean was bringing a heavily branded experience to a destination already struggling with overtourism.
Some argued Santorini already has independent beach clubs and local businesses, while others questioned whether a cruise-owned venue could ever truly feel authentic in Greece.
At the same time, many travelers supported the concept because of Santorini’s well-known logistical challenges. Long cable car lines, crowded tenders, steep walking routes, and packed streets can make the island stressful to visit, especially during peak summer months.
For those cruisers, the beach club offered a practical alternative. Supporters argued that spreading guests across multiple locations could help ease congestion while still allowing passengers to visit Oia and Fira before relaxing at the beach club.
