Royal Caribbean’s New Beach Club Charges $169 to Get In – But Is It Worth It?

Would you pay $169 just to go to the beach? That’s the question on cruisers’ minds as Royal Caribbean opens bookings for its brand-new Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Planning to open in December 2025, this exclusive beach day comes with all the bells and whistles and a price tag to match.

Unlike Royal’s private islands like CocoCay or Labadee, where entry is included in your cruise fare, the Royal Beach Club is a premium, pay-to-enter experience. It promises luxury, limited crowds, and all-inclusive perks, but is it actually worth it?

What Is the Royal Beach Club?

The Royal Beach Club is Royal Caribbean’s first-ever beach club, located on 17 acres at the western tip of Paradise Island. Unlike the cruise line’s private islands, access to this club isn’t included with your cruise. Guests must book and pay separately, adding to its air of exclusivity.

The aim? To deliver the ultimate beach day, complete with high-end amenities, all-inclusive food and drinks, chic cabanas, and plenty of Instagram-worthy views. It’s built to feel like a luxury resort, with limited capacity and dedicated zones for families, party-goers, and those simply looking to unwind with a cocktail in hand.

But don’t expect total peace and quiet. While there are areas labelled “Chill Beach” and “Family Beach,” Royal Caribbean describes these as offering “relaxed energy.” Translation: think upbeat music, lively spaces, and an atmosphere focused more on fun than stillness.

The club is divided into different zones to suit your vibe, whether you’re soaking up the sun with a drink, splashing around with the kids, or joining the action at The Floating Flamingo, the world’s largest swim-up bar. Even the more mellow areas will have background buzz, as Royal says its guests prefer vibrant surroundings paired with upscale service and seamless convenience.

Breaking Down the Prices

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for the Royal Beach Club, meaning costs can vary depending on the ship, sailing date, and demand. For a peak example, prices for Utopia of the Seas’ December 26, 2025 sailing show just how high things can go.

A standard day pass with unlimited open bar and dining starts from $169.99 per adult (21+). If you’re skipping the booze, the non-alcoholic version is priced at $129.99 for ages 13 and up, and $109.99 for children aged 4–12. Children under 3 go free.

All passes include all-day dining, beverages, beach chairs and umbrellas, high-speed Wi-Fi, showers, and round-trip transport. While the price is steep compared to a typical beach day, it’s important to note this isn’t just entry, it’s an all-inclusive experience, at least in theory…

Luxury Add-Ons

If you thought $169 for a beach day was pricey, wait until you see the cabanas. The most extravagant option, the Ultimate Family Cabana, comes in at a jaw-dropping $9,999.99. That does include entry for up to 12 people, but the extras are something else: a private bathroom, shower, changing room, whirlpool, spiral slide, hammock, loungers, a wet bar, frozen drink machine, TV, and even a suspended net lounger.

More modest, but still eye-watering, are the Royal Pool and Royal Beach Cabanas at $2,999.99 (10 guests), and a Beach Cabana for $2,199.99 (8 guests).

Then there’s the Party Deck, a $4,999.99 floating lounge above the Flamingo swim-up bar, complete with food and drink service, mini fridge, charging station, and beach towels. For couples, a Day Bed can be booked for $649.99, which includes two passes, food, drinks, and the usual amenities.

Bundle Deals: Do They Actually Save You Money?

For cruisers already planning to buy a beverage package, Royal Caribbean offers bundle deals that combine the Royal Beach Club pass with onboard drink packages, and even CocoCay’s Thrill Waterpark. These bundles are priced per day of your cruise rather than as a one-off excursion fee.

For example, you can get the Deluxe Beverage Package + Royal Beach Club for $139.99 per adult, per day, or the Refreshment Package + Royal Beach Club for $84.99 per adult and $69.99 per child. If you’re also planning to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, there’s a Thrill & Chill combo, with the beach club pass, waterpark entry, and refreshment package bundled together for up to $159.99 per day.

Royal Caribbean claims these bundles can save guests up to 45% compared to booking each element separately. That might be true, but it’s still a significant upfront cost for what’s essentially a beach day with perks.

What Cruisers Are Saying

Reactions to Royal Caribbean’s new beach club have been mixed and passionate. While some are excited for an upscale beach experience, many are balking at the prices, especially once dynamic pricing and family costs are factored in.

One commenter broke it down plainly: “$600 for a family of four, plus gratuity — we’re looking at over $700 for a few hours on the beach. I can go local and spend $75 total on beers, chairs and food.”

Others pointed out that early pricing (like the $169 quoted) may be limited to launch week or influencer sailings. One cruiser shared, “I checked my April cruise and the price was $250 per person with alcohol, and $200 without. That’s a dealbreaker.”

There’s also frustration over drink packages not carrying over: “So I’m already paying for a drink package onboard, but I need to pay again to use it at the club?” Others noted that Royal offers bundles, but they don’t necessarily feel like a good deal unless you’re already planning to buy everything included.

That said, not everyone is completely against the idea. A few fans argued it’s fairly priced compared to similar Nassau excursions or all-inclusives like Atlantis. “We paid $119 for Pearl Island, and it was underwhelming. At least this is clean, safe, and branded by Royal.”

Still, the overall consensus from commenters? Many will be staying on the ship, or skipping Nassau entirely.

So, Is It Worth It?

That depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a curated, all-inclusive beach experience with fewer crowds, no hassle, and a premium setting, the Royal Beach Club could be a great splurge. The price includes transport, unlimited food and drinks, sun loungers, umbrellas, Wi-Fi, and access to what’s essentially a private resort.

But if you’re travelling with a family or sticking to a budget, the cost adds up very fast, especially when Nassau already offers plenty of beach options for free or much less. And since your cruise fare already covers beautiful ports and entertainment, spending extra on a beach day might feel hard to justify.

Final Thoughts

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club isn’t trying to please everyone. It’s aiming squarely at cruisers who are happy to pay extra for exclusivity, convenience, and resort-level perks. For them, this could be the ultimate beach day, especially when paired with the ship’s high-end experiences.

For everyone else, it’s a steep upsell in a destination where sand and sea are already free. Whether it’s worth it will come down to personal priorities and budget. Would you pay $169 for a beach day in Nassau? Let us know what you think.

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