Royal Caribbean breaks ground on beach club in The Bahamas (Photos)

Royal Caribbean International broke ground on its new beach club in the Bahamas.

On April 22, the Miami-based cruise line announced it started construction on its first Royal Beach Club in Paradise Island, which is being built in Nassau. 

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Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be a 17-acre destination that’s accessible by ferry via the Nassau cruise port. The beach club is slated to open by summer 2025, and it will be able to host 2,000 guests on average, according to Royal Caribbean.

“As we break ground on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, together with the government and the people of the Bahamas, we are celebrating what partnership and innovation can achieve,” Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement. “The beauty and charm of the island are why we chose to debut the Royal Beach Club Collection in Nassau, and with the collaboration and support of local entrepreneurs and the wider community, we know that what we create will far exceed everything we imagined.”

The upscale beach destination will have three pools, swim-up bars, private cabanas and four island-style food and beverage outlets. The destination will also feature live music and work from local artisans. The cruise line says more details, including opening date and pricing, will soon be revealed.

Royal Caribbean International said it has partnered with the Bahamian government to recruit local labor to assist with construction, architecture, hospitality, entertainment and sustainability efforts. Hundreds of short- and long-term jobs will be created through the public-private partnership. 

The Bahamas will own up to 49% equity in the Royal Beach Club through its agreement with Royal Caribbean International.

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Royal Caribbean International has traveled to Nassau for more five decades, and the destination has remained a popular one, according to Bayley.

Paradise Island isn’t the first Bahamian location Royal Caribbean has eyed to enhance its vacation offerings.

In May 2019, Royal Caribbean debuted Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private destination the cruise line invested $250 million to renovate and rebrand with new water parks, thrill attractions and restaurants. Eight months later, the cruise line opened its Coco Beach Club at CocoCay, which brought an oceanfront infinity pool, 20 floating cabanas and other luxe amenities to the destination.

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Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean assumed CocoCay’s existing lease with Admiral Cruises when the company acquired the cruise line in 1988. Terms of the lease agreement grants Royal Caribbean and its affiliated brands exclusive access to the Bahamian island. 

More Royal Caribbean news:

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises are subsidiaries of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). The 56-year-old cruise operator has a global fleet of 60 ships. 

The cruise giant’s stock traded at $136.67 on April 23, a near 3.6% increase from the previous day’s close.

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