Speaking at a destination launch event in New York on Wednesday (14 May), Royal’s senior management team claimed its "ultimate destinations" programme would break records with the tallest waterslides in North and South America and offer the world’s longest “lazy, crazy” river as well as a site in the South Pacific.
In December this year, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas will debut as part of the Beach Club line-up and will feature the world’s largest swim-up beach bar. Paradise Island will be followed in 2026 by Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico.
CocoCay’s family orientated “thrill and chill” formula will be applied to Perfect Day Mexico, according to Bayley, who described the site as the "crown jewel" in the brand’s new portfolio. “It will be bigger, better and more incredible in terms of experiences," he said of the site, which will open in autumn 2027.
The 200-acre Perfect Day Mexico site on the Yucatan peninsula, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, will feature 30 waterslides including a family raft slide, a 20-person party cabana, the largest Splashaway Bay water park, a lazy river and – at 170 feet – the tallest waterslide in the Americas. Hydrolaunch slides shoot riders into the air.
Earlier in 2027, Royal Caribbean’s beach destinations will expand to include Lelepa, a Vanuatuan island in the South Pacific, and will be aimed at guests cruising from Australia. Featuring nature trails and beaches, Lelepa will be the first exclusive island cruise destination in the southern hemisphere.
“We saw how Oasis class had elevated the ship experience and thought about how we could match that with our destination experiences,” said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group president. “Our research made it clear that we needed to enhance the guest experience on islands.”
Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas was the first in a series of destinations known as the Perfect Day Collection. The collection is complemented by all-inclusive beach days at the Royal Beach Clubs.
This year Royal will take over 3.5 million guests to Perfect Day at CocoCay. “We take guests to over 350 destinations and still the number-one rated destination for satisfaction is CocoCay,” said Bayley.
In the planning stages Royal Caribbean sought advice from children, who helped design the water park and 30 different water slides. Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group’s chief product innovation officer, said: “Our secret sauce is putting the guest at the centre of everything we do.”
Guests poised to sail more this year
Over 90% of guests who sail in the Caribbean will be visiting either Perfect Day at CocoCay or Perfect Day Mexico. “Our destinations are leaps and bounds above anything else on the market,” said Bayley.
Alluding to recent economic upheaval in the US, Bailey said there has been "noise in the geopolitical environment" but noted the brand had seen a lot of strength in the first quarter – a trend that is continuing.
“Seven out of 10 guests over the past 60 days have told us that they are not only planning to vacation as much as they did last year, but that they are planning to vacation more," Bayley continued.
Angie Stephen, senior vice-president of the brand’s international business, said: “The combination of a Royal Caribbean cruise package and a Perfect Day or Royal Beach Club experience is something that you can’t find anywhere else. It will help close the sale.”
Set to open in December 2025, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas is the first beach club to debut as part of the Beach Club line-up and will feature the world’s largest swim-up beach bar. Paradise Island will be followed in 2026 by Royal Beach Club Cozumel. With the purchase of an all-inclusive day pass clients can enjoy unlimited dining, drinks and amenities.
