Royal Caribbean has shared new details and initial imagery for Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a major new private destination in the South Pacific that is scheduled to welcome guests from October 2027.
The beach club, located in Vanuatu, will mark the cruise line’s first private destination in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be featured on a range of itineraries now open for booking, including sailings aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.
These voyages will span departures from Australia, extended South Pacific cruises and transpacific crossings, with further deployments expected closer to launch.
Situated on the northern coast of Lelepa Island, the destination lies around 1,200 miles northeast of Brisbane. It is also positioned approximately 25 miles from Port Vila and roughly 350 miles north of Noumea in New Caledonia, placing it within reach of some of the region’s most popular cruise ports.
How Royal Beach Club Lelepa Will Stand Out
Royal Caribbean says the new destination has been specifically designed with Australian travellers in mind, aiming to deliver a more regionally tailored experience than its existing private destinations.
“We are developing a beach club experience that is completely connected to the Australian guests who’ve told us exactly how they want to experience that, and that’s we’re creating,
“It’s really going to be a special place.”
Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean.
The beach club will feature two main beaches, alongside an adults-only retreat, nature trails and a wide range of water-based activities. Snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding will be available, while glass-bottom experiences are planned to offer views of the surrounding marine life.
Early renderings indicate a vibrant, tropical design with shaded pavilions, loungers and social activity spaces, including beach volleyball, beach cricket and lawn-style games.
The destination will operate as a tender port, meaning guests will be transported ashore via water shuttles rather than docking at a pier, a move the cruise line believes will help maintain an exclusive atmosphere.
“The plan is to really showcase the natural beauty of the destination. The waters are crystal clear, blue for miles. The backdrop is just a vision of mountains. It really is a stunning destination,” said Keri-Ann Chin-Sang, Senior Director, Product Development for Royal Caribbean.
Dining and drinks will form a key part of the experience, with two eateries offering a mix of Royal Caribbean favourites and local cuisine, all included in the cruise fare. Ten bars will serve a variety of beverages, from classic cocktails to regional drinks and local brews.
What Guests Can Expect Onshore
Unlike some of the cruise line’s newer beach club concepts, access to Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be included in the cost of the cruise, similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay rather than the extra-charge model used at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau.
Standard amenities such as loungers, umbrellas and towels will be complimentary, and accessibility has been factored into the design with beach wheelchairs and strollers available free of charge. Guests seeking an upgraded experience will be able to rent private daybeds or take part in selected water sports at an additional cost.
A retail area known as Mama’s Market is also planned, expected to showcase local crafts and souvenirs alongside exclusive merchandise.
Royal Caribbean has indicated that further details, including dining menus and shore experiences, will be revealed closer to the opening date as development progresses.
Expanding Royal Caribbean’s Private Destination Portfolio
Royal Beach Club Lelepa is part of Royal Caribbean’s broader push to expand its portfolio of exclusive destinations around the world.
The cruise line has already seen strong demand for Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and recently introduced Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in late December 2025.
Future projects include Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya and Royal Beach Club Santorini in Greece, both of which have generated significant interest among cruisers.
With Lelepa, Royal Caribbean is not only extending its private destination model into a new region but also tailoring the experience to a different core market, signalling a more localised approach to future developments.
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