Royal Caribbean announced a significant investment in land
yesterday. The cruise line revealed the next steps in its Ultimate Destination
lineup of onshore locations with the opening in 2027 of Perfect Day Mexico, as
well as the company＊s first Royal Beach Clubs in The Bahamas (December 2025), Cozumel,
Mexico (2026), and the South Pacific (2027).?
At an elaborate presentation, Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal
Caribbean International, said the company is bringing its history of service
and innovation to these destinations that offer more locally inspired perfect
days and beachfront getaways. He said Perfect Day Mexico ※is bigger and bolder
than anything we have done to date.§ This destination, he said, ※will be the
ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from
around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide.§
According to Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group,
the goal is to build an ※ecosystem§ so that customers stay with Royal Caribbean
for all their holidays. He said half of the company＊s guests are now
Millennials or younger and that the potential is enormous, with cruising
accounting for just $80 billion of a $2 trillion travel industry. "We have
to close the gap," he said, ※with land-based choices.§
Regarding general global uncertainties, Liberty said that
while there has been ※a lot of noise in the geopolitical environment,§ the company
continues with the booking strength it reported on a recent first-quarter
earnings call. He said internal surveys show that 7 out of 10 respondents plan
to vacation more this year than last.?
Kara Wallace, chief marketing officer, told TravelPulse that
the outreach to travel advisors about the land destinations would be like that
done with the company＊s ships 每 immersive training, road shows and
familiarization trips as the destinations open. She said the Perfect Day and
beach club locations would have premium options that advisors could sell at
commissionable rates.?
CocoCay, according to Wallace, has been the line＊s top-rated
destination almost from when it opened six years ago 每 although the company offers
over 350 destinations, including highly desirable ones like Alaska and Australia.
※When you think of a cruise plus a perfect day,§ she said, ※it becomes more
than just a cruise. Anything that can be done on land is available.§
Bayley said at the presentation that this year, three-and-a-half
million people will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, and two out of three guests
there are first-timers with Royal Caribbean. He said 40% of the line's programs
are now five nights or less.?
Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, told
TravelPulse that the launch of Perfect Day at CocoCay changed how the cruise
industry and land-based vacations approached destinations. He said Royal
Caribbean ※is now building off that strength on the journey to curate
experiences for guests.§
Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Media)
Perfect Day Mexico, said Schneider, will be an evolution of Perfect
Day at CocoCay, ※but these are not copy and paste destinations.§ He added, ※We
will look for the best of Mexico in Mexico and the same with the other
locations. But it will all be built on our traditional service.§
He would say to advisors, said Schneider, that ※the number
one reason people travel with us is the destinations. They are seeking a destination
experience, and we will curate these experiences based on the region and the
itinerary.§
※We don＊t want to replicate cultures,§ said Schneider. ※We
don＊t want to build the largest Mayan ruin. Our mission is to amplify the
culture 每 the food, entertainment and art -- and bring that to life.§
Perfect Day Mexico
Spanning more than 200 acres on Mexico＊s Caribbean coast,
Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and will feature something for visitors of
all ages across seven neighborhoods. Highlights include:
- Loco Waterpark 每30 waterslides across five slide
towers, including the tallest waterslide tower 每 and waterslides 每 across North
and South America. The more than 170-foot-tall Jaguar＊s Peak features two
dueling slides, taking riders through more than two minutes of ※pure thrill§
and the longest coaster waterslide in the world. Also, hydrolaunch slides shoot
riders into the air and the world's first sombrero slide. There are also adventure
pools, a wave pool and slides designed for younger kids.
- Splash
Cove 每 This central neighborhood will introduce the longest lazy river in the
world 每 with a ※crazy§ side. Along the hour-long float are multiple entry and
exit points and plenty of ways to stay hydrated with float-up bars and a
cupholder in every tube. There is an optional ※crazy§ section of the river that
features unexpected twists and turns with waves, rapids and spins. In the
center of it all is a 100,000-square-foot pool 每 just one of Perfect Day
Mexico's more than 10 expansive pools that together span the size of four
football fields. Younger guests have their own adventures at Royal Caribbean's
largest Splashaway Bay, with waterslides sized just for them. The first-ever
Splashaway Cabanas are designed for families.
- El Hideaway 每 At this adults-only neighborhood,
day pass holders 18 years and older can party all day with a zero-entry pool,
swim-up bar and in-pool DJ. There is also an Ultimate Party Cabana for 20
guests, with its own pool and bar.
- Costa Beach Club 每 This enhanced experience
features a heated infinity pool and premium dining at Costa Beach Club. Visitors
can spend the day in a private cabana with a personal cabana attendant,
amenities and a dedicated pool.
- Fiesta Plaza 每 This arrival area features live
music, dance, and the world＊s largest sombrero atop the Tipsy Sombrero bar,
welcoming guests with margaritas, beer, and more.
Also at the destination are 12 regionally inspired dining
options, from sit-down spots to grab-and-go eateries, with nearly all food
spots complimentary to guests. Plus, there are 24 bars, including six swim-up
bars. Mariachi performances, art installations, and local artisans for souvenir
shopping further bring the Mexican culture to life.
Upon opening in fall 2027, Perfect Day Mexico will welcome
Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and all
Florida homeports. Itineraries featuring Perfect Day Mexico will become
available for booking this fall.
Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Media)
By 2027, 90% of the brand＊s Caribbean vacationers will
experience a Perfect Day across Perfect Day at CocoCay and Perfect Day Mexico. In
addition, vacationers sailing from U.S. Gulf ports can choose itineraries that
visit both Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Perfect Day Mexico.
Royal Beach Clubs
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 Royal Beach Club lineup. The destination will combine
the island＊s beaches with Royal Caribbean＊s signature experiences to create ※the
ultimate beach day.§?
Following that, Royal Beach openings will be:
- Royal Beach Club Cozumel features beaches, pools
with swim-up bars, cabanas, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. The club will offer
a variety of ways to dine and drink, a street market, and hands-on experiences
like tequila tastings and cooking classes.
- Lelepa (an island that is part of Vanuatu) 每The
first private island cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere will offer a
locally inspired experience for guests in Australia and beyond, with beaches,
nature trails, water activities and dining.?
The main difference between
※Perfect Days§ and beach clubs, said a spokesperson, is that when guests visit
a Perfect Day experience, their entire day 每 plus the port of call is a Royal
Caribbean-based experience. With Royal Beach Clubs, guests can either explore
and experience the port of call on their own or opt into the Royal Beach Club
experience (similar to how shore excursions operate).
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
