Royal Beach Club Santorini Review: Is It Worth It? My Honest 2026 Verdict
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini worth it? Yes, if you want a calm, all-inclusive afternoon on a volcanic black sand beach with genuinely excellent Greek food. No, if you are expecting the pools and party vibe of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. The food is a 5 out of 5. The entertainment falls short. I think it's worth trying once.
I visited in mid-September 2026 on a call from Odyssey of the Seas, so this is a first-hand review of Royal Caribbean's first beach club in Europe: getting there, the buffet, the drinks (and what costs extra), the beach, and how it really compares to Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
In this article
What is Royal Beach Club Santorini?
How do you get there?
What's it like when you arrive?
What food is included?
What drinks are included, and what costs extra?
What is the beach like?
Is there any entertainment?
How much does it cost?
Santorini vs Paradise Island: which is better?
My ratings
Is it worth it?
Tips for the rest of your day in Santorini
FAQ
Royal Beach Club Santorini at a Glance
Where: Vlychada, on Santorini's south coast
Opened: April 2026 (Royal Caribbean's first beach club in Europe)
Who can go: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises guests, booked through the cruise line only
How it's sold: as part of the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion, not included in your cruise fare
Included: Greek buffet, local draft beer, house wine, soft drinks, filter coffee, water, loungers, umbrellas, towels, Wi-Fi
Costs extra: cocktails, spirits and espresso coffees (paid by card on site)
Pool: no
What is Royal Beach Club Santorini?
Royal Beach Club Santorini is a private, all-inclusive beach club run by Royal Caribbean on the black sand coast of Vlychada, in the south of the island. It opened in April 2026 and it's the first Royal Beach Club outside the Caribbean. Guests from Royal Caribbean and sister line Celebrity Cruises can visit.
It isn't a brand-new build. Royal Caribbean took over an existing beach club on the site and renovated it, so the infrastructure was already there. The previous beach club still exists, just in another location.
The important thing to understand before you book: this is not a free private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay. It's a paid shore excursion, and a pretty upscale-priced one.
How do you get to Royal Beach Club Santorini?
You have to book it through the cruise line. Arranging your own taxi or transfer is not an option, and there's no way to just turn up.
Once we were off Odyssey of the Seas, it was a coach ride south, and the last stretch was a very remote, windy dirt road. You'll wonder where on earth you're going. Then the Royal Caribbean branding appears, and it's unmistakable.
That remoteness is the club's biggest drawback. You are completely tied to your excursion's bus timings. At Paradise Island you can wander back to the ship whenever you like. Here, you can't.
What's it like when you arrive?
There's a friendly welcome as you step off the bus. Staff hand out ice-cold towels and a welcome drink of iced water with lime, non-alcoholic and properly thirst-quenching. Our day wasn't especially hot or sunny, which isn't the norm for Santorini, so on a typical day that towel would be very welcome.
The entrance is large, with plenty of shaded seating. The decor is rustic, but it definitely feels Greek. And the smell of the food hits you straight away. When we arrived the buffet was still being set up, so everything was fresh.
The upper level is the main dining area, with large tables and a bar. Walk to the far side and there's a second buffet area and more seating, all shaded under a thatched roof. Below that is a mezzanine level with extra seating, and then the beach itself.
What food is included at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
All the food is included, and it's all built around Greek cuisine. This is where the beach club really shines. Here's what was on the buffet on my visit:
Cold dishes: pita bread, a Greek salad and several other salads, stuffed vine leaves
Grill: burgers, wraps, souvlaki skewers, sausage
Hot dishes: roast vegetables, cod, moussaka, rice and fries
Desserts: bite-sized pastries, cookies, and Greek frozen yogurt from a soft serve machine
So, is it good? Yes. The choice and the quality both exceeded my expectations. It's also going to be very filling, so pace yourself. Food gets a straight 5 out of 5 from me, no hesitation.
What drinks are included, and what costs extra?
This is where the "all-inclusive" label needs a bit of small print.
Included: unlimited local draft beer, house wine, soft drinks, filter coffee and water. There's drink service to the sun loungers too, which is a nice touch.
Not included: cocktails, spirits and espresso-based coffees. These are all payable on site by credit card.
And your Royal Caribbean drinks package does not carry over here. If you're on a Deluxe package and you want a proper cocktail on the beach, you're paying for it.
For a club positioned as upscale, I expected cocktails to be in. That's why drinks get a 3 out of 5.
What is the beach like?
Down on the ground level you'll find the sun loungers. They're nicely spaced across the beach, which I really appreciated, with generous umbrellas for shade. Towels are provided, so there's no need to carry any off the ship. Wi-Fi is included, and there are proper toilets.
It's a black sand beach, thanks to Santorini's volcanic origin. It looks striking, but on a sunny day black sand gets hot, so bring something for your feet.
The property itself is not large. But you can take a little walk along the shore and admire the pumice stone landscape, with high cliffs all around. It's a really striking backdrop, and it's a calm, quiet spot of beach.
We were unlucky with the weather. It was pretty cloudy for mid-September, which isn't typical at all, so we barely needed those umbrellas. I'm sure most days look very different.
Amenities get a 5 out of 5. Wi-Fi, sunbeds, towels, toilets: nothing was short.
Is there any entertainment at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
There's live music in the dining area, from a local traditional trio. They were fantastic, honestly.
But that's about it. There's no pool, no hot tub, no DJ-led party zone, no activities. The whole thing is very low key. I think this area could be developed a lot further. Why not add a pool and a hot tub or two? It would change the feel of the afternoon completely.
So entertainment is where I think it falls short.
How much does Royal Beach Club Santorini cost?
It's not included in your cruise fare, and at the moment you can't buy it on its own. It's sold as part of the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion, which also includes stops in Oia and Fira.
Adult | Child | |
List price | about $284 (around ÂŁ212) | about $199 (around ÂŁ148) |
Typical sale price (30% off) | about $198 (around ÂŁ147) | about $139 (around ÂŁ103) |
Prices vary by ship and sailing date, and there are regular sales, so always check your own cruise planner. Royal Caribbean is reportedly watching how popular the club is, so the packaging could change in future.
If this is your first time in Santorini, the bundled version is actually the one you want anyway. You definitely want to see more of the island than one beach.
Royal Beach Club Santorini vs Paradise Island: which is better?
I've been to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas twice, and it runs at about the same price. So I was expecting a similar product. It isn't.
Santorini | Paradise Island | |
Vibe | Refined, calm, pared back | Pools, party, family, beach |
Pools | None | Yes |
Food | Greek buffet (excellent) | Included with your pass |
Drinks | Beer, wine, soft drinks, filter coffee | Included with your pass |
Getting there | Coach down a remote dirt road | Close to the Nassau cruise port |
Your own schedule? | No, tied to bus timings | Yes |
Also includes | Oia and Fira stops | Beach club only |
At Paradise Island you get the pool vibe, the party vibe, the family vibe, and you still have the beach, the food and the drinks. So you get a lot more. Plus the short hop from the ship means you're on your own schedule. Beyond Royal Caribbean, the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini is another good example of that lively "beach club" atmosphere.
Royal Beach Club Santorini is a different animal. It's a refined, pared-back experience. Very pleasant, don't get me wrong. But if you go in expecting Paradise Island, you'll probably feel a little short-changed on atmosphere.
Want the full picture on the Bahamas version? Read my Royal Beach Club guide.
My Royal Beach Club Santorini ratings
I have to rate it for what it offered, as well as what it didn't.
Category | Score | Why |
Location | 3 / 5 | Stunning, but so remote you're tied to the excursion bus |
Food | 5 / 5 | Choice and quality exceeded expectations |
Drinks | 3 / 5 | Beer, wine and filter coffee only; cocktails and espresso cost extra |
Amenities | 5 / 5 | Wi-Fi, loungers, towels, toilets, calm beach |
Entertainment | Falls short | One lovely live trio, no pool, no hot tub |
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini worth it?
So, was it worth the trip? My review is mixed, but I enjoyed it, and I think you should try it once.
It's worth it if:
It's your first time in Santorini and you want Oia, Fira and a beach day handled for you
You love Greek food and want to eat really well
You want a quiet, uncrowded escape from the busy villages
You're happy with beer and wine rather than cocktails
Skip it if:
You want pools, a party atmosphere or activities for the kids
You like being on your own schedule
You're mainly buying it for cocktails
It's a lovely, calm afternoon. It's just not the Paradise Island experience, and at that price point it's fair to expect more on the entertainment side.
Tips for the rest of your day in Santorini
Book your excursion with the cruise line. Cruise ships always tender in Santorini. On my visit, having an excursion meant a priority tender to the new port at Athinios and a coach straight to the first stop, with no big queue for the cable car up to Fira from the old port. Worth knowing: since June 2026, Santorini's rules send 70% of each ship's guests through the old port and only 30% through Athinios, and the cruise line decides who gets those Athinios spots. Excursion guests are usually first in line, but it isn't guaranteed.
Avoid the photo spot traps. Yes, Santorini is very picturesque, with the blue-domed churches and the cliffside villages. But the queues to get your photo in front of THE backdrop can be a big time waster. Take a small detour and you'll find the same view. It's possible, believe me.
Stop at a cliffside café. Definitely enjoy a drink or a snack at a café in Oia or Fira. Sitting back with that view is really relaxing after the crowded, narrow lanes of the main towns.
Expect crowds anyway. Santorini now caps cruise visitors at 8,000 a day. That might stop things getting worse, but I think we're looking at the status quo, so expect crowds if you're heading to Oia or Fira in the daytime.
Whatever you do, don't stay on the ship. You'd miss a fascinating island.
Frequently asked questions
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini included in my cruise fare?
No. It's a paid shore excursion, currently sold as part of the Ultimate Santorini Day, and you book it through Royal Caribbean or Celebrity before or during your cruise.
How much does Royal Beach Club Santorini cost?
The list price is around $284 per adult and $199 per child, with frequent 30% off sales bringing it to about $198 and $139. Prices vary by ship and sailing date.
Can you visit Royal Beach Club Santorini without an excursion?
No. Cruise guests have to book through the cruise line, and you can't arrange your own transport to the club.
Where is Royal Beach Club Santorini?
It's in Vlychada, on Santorini's south coast, well away from Oia and Fira. The final approach is along a remote, windy dirt road.
Does my Royal Caribbean drinks package work at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
No. Drinks packages don't transfer. Local draft beer, house wine, soft drinks, filter coffee and water are included, but cocktails, spirits and espresso drinks are paid by card on site.
What food is included at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
A full Greek buffet: salads, pita, stuffed vine leaves, souvlaki, burgers, wraps, moussaka, cod, roast vegetables, rice, fries, pastries and Greek frozen yogurt.
Does Royal Beach Club Santorini have a pool?
No. There's no pool or hot tub, just the black sand beach, loungers and umbrellas.
Is the Wi-Fi free at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
Yes, Wi-Fi is included, along with loungers, umbrellas, towels and toilets.
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini good for kids?
It's all-ages and there's a child price, but with no pool or activities it's better suited to a relaxed day than to kids who want to be kept busy.
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini better than Paradise Island?
For food and calm, Santorini wins. For atmosphere, pools, activities and flexibility, Paradise Island gives you a lot more for about the same money.
See Royal Beach Club Santorini for Yourself
The full walkthrough: the arrival, the buffet, the beach and my honest verdict.
Planning a visit? Let me know in the comments. And subscribe to The Walking Cruiser for more port guides, ship tours and all things cruise
