With Labadee suspended through 2026, Royal Caribbean isn’t just rerouting ships to existing ports. The cruise line is aggressively expanding its own portfolio of private beach clubs and destinations under two brands: the Royal Beach Club Collection and the Perfect Day family of private islands. Together these new destinations make Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean strategy far less dependent on Labadee than it was just three years ago.
Here’s every new and upcoming Royal Caribbean private beach destination, when it opens, and whether it’s a good fit for families.
🏝️ Every New Royal Caribbean Private Destination
🇧🇸 Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (Nassau)
OPEN NOWRoyal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas is already open and is the most common replacement port for canceled Labadee sailings. It’s an all-inclusive, curated private beach experience with pools, beaches, dining, and bars. Built in collaboration with the Bahamian government, the project includes an unprecedented public-private partnership where Bahamians can own up to 49% equity.
For families: A day pass is required (free for children 3 and under). Since Nassau is now replacing Labadee on many itineraries, this is the new private beach club most cruise families will actually experience in 2026.
🇲🇽 Royal Beach Club Cozumel
OPENS LATE 2026Royal Beach Club Cozumel is a 42-acre beach club opening in late 2026 on Cozumel’s western coast. It will be similar to the Nassau location, with multiple pools and a curated beach experience. Cozumel is already one of the most popular family cruise ports in the Western Caribbean, with world-class snorkeling on the Mesoamerican Reef and Mayan ruins.
For families: A day pass will be required. Cozumel is also a frequent Labadee replacement port right now, so families can already visit the island — the beach club just adds another option. See our Cozumel family cruise guide.
🇲🇽 Perfect Day Mexico (Costa Maya)
OPENS 2027Perfect Day Mexico is Royal Caribbean’s next flagship “Perfect Day” private destination, coming to the Costa Maya, Mexico area in 2027. The Perfect Day brand is home to Royal Caribbean’s most thrill-packed private island (Perfect Day at CocoCay), so expect waterslides, pools, and family attractions on a large scale.
For families: This is the one to watch for thrill-seeking families. Costa Maya is already a fantastic, underrated family port with a free pier pool and calm beaches. See things to do in Costa Maya with kids.
🇬🇷 Royal Beach Club Santorini
OPEN / SEASONALRoyal Beach Club Santorini is Europe’s first Royal Beach Club, part of the Ultimate Santorini shore excursion — a three-town tour of the Greek island’s must-see landmarks with a stop at the beach club. It’s a different model from the Caribbean clubs, built into a Mediterranean cruise excursion.
For families: More of a Mediterranean cruise feature than a Caribbean one, but worth knowing about if your family cruises Europe. It shows how Royal Caribbean is expanding the Beach Club concept globally.
🇻🇺 Royal Beach Club Lelepa (Vanuatu)
OPENS 2027Royal Beach Club Lelepa in the nation of Vanuatu will be Royal Caribbean’s first private cruise destination in the southern hemisphere when it opens in 2027. It’s designed for South Pacific and Australia-based itineraries — unlike anything the cruise line has built before.
For families: Relevant mainly for families cruising the South Pacific out of Australia. Admission is expected to be free, similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
🌟 Don’t forget the original: Perfect Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean’s flagship private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, remains the gold standard — free admission, unlimited dining, waterslides at Thrill Waterpark, a 1,600-foot zip line, and adults-only Hideaway Beach. Many cruisers now say they prefer CocoCay to Labadee anyway. It’s a port of call with complimentary entry.
🤔 Is Royal Caribbean Replacing Labadee With a New Island?
Not with a single, direct one-for-one replacement — but that’s arguably better for families. Instead of relying on one destination, Royal Caribbean is spreading its bets across multiple new private beach clubs and destinations. The Royal Beach Club Collection (Nassau, Cozumel, Santorini) and the expanding Perfect Day brand (CocoCay now, Costa Maya in 2027) give the cruise line several curated beach experiences across different regions.
The smart takeaway: many of these new destinations are at ports that are already replacing Labadee on 2026 itineraries — Nassau, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. So if your Labadee stop got swapped, there’s a good chance your replacement port is one where Royal Caribbean is actively investing in brand-new family beach experiences.
Heading to one of these new destinations?
The Passport Pal has port packs for Nassau, Cozumel, and Costa Maya — the ports powering Royal Caribbean’s new beach clubs. Printable, under $4 per port.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What new private islands is Royal Caribbean opening?
Royal Caribbean is expanding its Royal Beach Club Collection and Perfect Day destinations: Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau (open), Royal Beach Club Cozumel (late 2026), Royal Beach Club Santorini, Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya (2027), and Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu (2027) — joining flagship Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Is Royal Caribbean replacing Labadee with a new island?
Not with a single direct replacement, but it’s expanding a portfolio of private beach destinations that reduce its dependence on Labadee. The new Royal Beach Club Collection (Nassau, Cozumel, Santorini) and Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya give the line multiple curated beach experiences — many at the same ports now replacing Labadee.
When does Royal Beach Club Cozumel open?
Royal Beach Club Cozumel is scheduled to open in late 2026 on Cozumel’s western coast. The 42-acre beach club will have multiple pools, similar to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, and requires a day pass for admission.
Is admission to Royal Beach Clubs free?
It depends. Perfect Day at CocoCay offers free admission as a port of call. But Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (Nassau) and Royal Beach Club Cozumel require a purchased day pass (free for children 3 and under at Paradise Island). Book day passes online before sailing or at the onboard Shore Excursions desk.
New beach club on your itinerary? 🏖️
Get Passport Pal port packs for Cozumel, Nassau, and Costa Maya — the ports powering Royal Caribbean’s newest private beach clubs. Under $4 per port.
Build My Journal 👉The Labadee pause is real, but Royal Caribbean is clearly investing heavily in the future of its private beach destinations. For families, the expansion of the Royal Beach Club Collection and Perfect Day brand means more curated, kid-friendly beach experiences at ports you may already be visiting. Whether your 2026 cruise takes you to Nassau, Cozumel, or Costa Maya, there’s a good beach day (and possibly a brand-new beach club) waiting for you.