Royal Beach Club Paradise Island: The Complete Guide (Is It Worth It in 2026?)

If you've sailed with Royal Caribbean out of a Florida port lately, chances are you've seen the flyers in your cabin or the pop-up banner on the app: Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is here, and it's changing the way cruisers spend their day in Nassau. For years, a Nassau port stop meant either an expensive excursion, a crowded public beach, or just staying on the ship. Royal Caribbean's answer to that problem is a brand-new, 17-acre, all-inclusive beach day built specifically for its guests — and in this guide, I'm breaking down everything you need to know before you book: what it is, what's included, what the food is actually like, whether it's free, the Wi-Fi situation, the full price list, and the questions I see cruisers asking about it over and over again.

Aerial view of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island waterfront.

What Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is Royal Caribbean's first purpose-built beach club destination, located just off the Nassau Cruise Port on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It officially welcomed its first guests on December 23, 2025, and had its grand opening in January 2026, after breaking ground back in April 2024.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean's private island, which is included free with most Bahamas itineraries — Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a paid, ticketed shore excursion. Think of it less like a private island and more like an all-inclusive resort day pass, purpose-built by Royal Caribbean and dropped right next to the cruise port so you don't have to plan a thing once you get off the ship

The property is split into three distinct "neighborhoods," each with its own personality:

Party Cove – The high-energy zone, home to The Floating Flamingo, billed as the world's largest swim-up bar, plus a DJ and a lively pool scene for guests who want the party vibe.
Paradise Beach (formerly Chill Beach) – A more laid-back beach and pool setup, good for guests who want sun and sand without the noise.
Family Beach – Built around The Shallow End, a large zero-entry pool that's easy for kids to wade into, plus a calmer stretch of beach that's ideal for building sandcastles.

Across the whole property, guests have access to two beaches and three temperature-controlled pools, tied together by walkways, bars, and grills so you're never far from food, a drink, or a place to sit down.

What's Included With Your Day Pass?

This is the part that makes Royal Beach Club genuinely different from a typical shore excursion — almost everything is bundled into one price. A standard day pass includes:
Round-trip water taxi transportation from the Nassau cruise pier
All-day dining at the on-site restaurants
Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks (with alcohol included on the upgraded pass)
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Beach chairs, loungers, umbrellas, and towels
Access to all three neighborhoods — Party Cove, Paradise Beach, and Family Beach
Restroom and shower facilities
Basically, once you've paid for your pass, you shouldn't need your wallet again unless you're renting a cabana, buying alcohol on the non-alcoholic pass, or picking up souvenirs.

Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Free?

No — and this is the single most common question I get about this place. Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is included in the cost of most Bahamas cruise fares, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island requires a separate, paid day pass for every guest aged 4 and up. It functions more like a bundled shore excursion than a free onboard perk.

The one exception: children ages 3 and under get in free, no pass required.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing here, similar to how it prices shore excursions and drink packages — so the cost of your pass can shift based on your sail date, which ship you're on, demand, and how far in advance you book. Booking earlier through the Royal app or My Royal Cruise portal generally gets you the best rate before prices climb closer to your sailing.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Price List (2026)

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Prices are dynamic and can vary by sailing, but here's what pricing has generally looked like since launch:

Pass TypeWho It's ForStarting Price

Day Pass with Unlimited Open BarAges 21+From $169.99 per person

Day Pass with Non-Alcoholic DrinksAges 13+From $129.99 per person

Kids Pass (Non-Alcoholic)Ages 4–12From $109.99 per child

Toddler AdmissionAges 3 and underFree

Cabana rentals are also available for guests who want a private home base for the day, and they range widely depending on size and location:

Beach Cabanas (roughly 248 sq. ft., 4 loungers) — start around $2,200 for up to 8 guests
Pool Cabanas (248–310 sq. ft., in-water loungers, Bluetooth speaker) — priced similarly to beach cabanas, located poolside
Ultimate Family Cabana — the most expensive option Royal Caribbean has ever offered, up to roughly $10,000, sleeping up to 12 guests, overlooking The Floating Flamingo, and including its own private wet-dry slide into the pool

Cabana prices bundle in a set number of day passes, so the total cost isn't purely "extra" — you're pre-paying for admission for your group plus the private space.

There's also a Refreshment Package + Beach Club combo (starting around $84.99 per adult, $69.99 per child) for cruisers who want to pair their onboard drink package with beach club access at a bundled rate, and a Thrill & Chill Combo that pairs Royal Beach Club with the Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean has marketed this bundle as up to 45% cheaper than booking each destination separately.

Bottom line on price: Expect to pay somewhere between $110–$200+ per person depending on your pass type, age, and how early you book — and treat cabana prices as a "special occasion" splurge rather than the default plan.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

What's the Food Like at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island?

All dining is included in every day pass, and it's served at three Paradise Grill locations spread across the property — one in each neighborhood. Good news for picky eaters or anyone traveling with a group that can't agree on where to eat: every Paradise Grill location serves the exact same menu, so you're never stuck missing out on a dish because you're on the "wrong" beach.

The food leans casual, quick-service, and Bahamian-influenced, and it's unlimited — you can go back as many times as you like. Expect dishes like:

Classic cheeseburgers and chicken Caesar wraps
Crab cake sandwiches and lobster BLT wraps
"Shrimp on a stick" — skewers glazed in a sweet-and-tangy guava sauce with pineapple slaw
Cheesy corned beef fritters (made without conch, since it's not a sustainable ingredient)
Fresh salads, sides, and desserts with a Bahamian twist
Soft-serve ice cream for dessert

Royal Caribbean has also said the menu has been evolving based on guest feedback since opening — the food and beverage team reworked the lineup in early 2026 to offer fresher, lighter options after collecting comments from early visitors. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available, though kosher meals are not currently offered.

On the drinks side, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages come with every pass, and alcoholic drinks are either unlimited (with the Open Bar pass) or available a la carte if you booked the non-alcoholic pass. Drinks are served across ten different spots on property, including three swim-up bars — The Floating Flamingo in Party Cove being the headline act — plus seven additional beach bars scattered throughout the neighborhoods.

Wi-Fi at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Here's a nice surprise for a beach destination: free, high-speed Wi-Fi is included with every day pass, no upcharge and no separate login fee. It's available across the property, so you can post beach photos, check in with family, or just avoid the "no service" panic that usually comes with island excursions. This is genuinely a step up from a lot of private island and beach club experiences, where Wi-Fi is either unavailable or sold separately.

Benefits of Booking Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Everything is bundled. One price covers food, non-alcoholic drinks (or all drinks on the open bar pass), Wi-Fi, chairs, umbrellas, towels, and round-trip transportation from the pier.
No planning required. Unlike arranging your own beach day in Nassau, you book a pass, hop on a water taxi, and everything is already set up. – Something for every type of traveler. Party Cove for guests who want energy and music, Family Beach for parents with young kids, and Paradise Beach for a quieter, classic beach day.
Real infrastructure. Two full beaches, three temperature-controlled pools, ten bars, and multiple dining locations mean you're rarely waiting in a long line or wandering to find a bathroom or a drink.
A genuine alternative to Nassau's public beaches, which cruisers have long found underwhelming or hard to reach without a formal excursion.

Downsides Worth Knowing About

To keep this guide honest — it's not all upside. Some recurring feedback from early visitors:

It's not free, and many reviewers feel the pricing runs high for what's included, especially on busy days when multiple ships are in port.
Chair and space availability can get tight on days when several Royal Caribbean ships are docked in Nassau at once.
Portion sizes on some dishes (like the shrimp skewers) have been described as more "beach snack" than full meal — though the unlimited nature of the buffet-style Paradise Grills means you can simply go back for more.
There are no public waterslides — the one private wet-dry slide is reserved for guests renting the Ultimate Family Cabana.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island free?

No. Every guest age 4 and older needs a paid day pass. Children 3 and under are admitted free.

How much is Royal Caribbean beach Club Paradise Island?

Pricing is dynamic, but passes have generally started around $169.99 for the Unlimited Open Bar pass (21+), $129.99 for the non-alcoholic pass (13+), and $109.99 for kids ages 4–12.

Is food included in the price?

Yes. All dining at the three Paradise Grill locations is included and unlimited with every day pass — there's no extra charge for food.

Is Wi-Fi included at the Royal Beach Club?

Yes, free high-speed Wi-Fi is included with every day pass across the entire property.

Do I need to book in advance, or can I book once I'm on the ship? You can book ahead through the Royal app or My Royal Cruise, or book once onboard at the Shore Excursions desk — but space is limited and pricing tends to increase closer to your sail date, so booking early is recommended.

Can I rent a cabana? at the Royal Beach Club?

Yes. Beach and pool cabanas are available starting around $2,200, up to the Ultimate Family Cabana at roughly $10,000, which includes its own private wet-dry slide and space for up to 12 guests.

Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island good for families with young kids?

Yes — Family Beach was specifically designed for this, with a large zero-entry pool (The Shallow End) that's easy for young children to walk into, plus a calmer beach area.

How do I get there from the cruise port?

Round-trip water taxi transportation from the Nassau cruise pier is included with your day pass.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Only with the Unlimited Open Bar pass (ages 21+). Guests on the non-alcoholic pass can purchase alcoholic drinks a la carte at any of the bars.

Is Royal Beach Club Paradise Island the same as Perfect Day at CocoCay?

No. CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island and is typically included free with Bahamas cruise fares. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a separate, paid destination near the Nassau cruise port, and the two are marketed as complementary experiences.

Have you booked a day at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island yet? Let me know in the comments if you want a full day-in-the-life review — sandcastles, swim-up bars, and all.