Royal Caribbean is opening its brand-new Royal Beach Club Santorini in summer 2026, giving cruise passengers exclusive access to a private beach experience on one of the most famous islands in the world. This new destination is designed to offer a more relaxing, organized, and premium alternative to Santorini’s often crowded public areas. The Royal Beach Club Santorini will be one of Royal Caribbean’s first private beach clubs in Europe, marking a major expansion of the cruise line’s private destination portfolio.
If you’re cruising to Santorini in 2026 or beyond, here’s everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean’s new private beach club.
What Is Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Santorini?
The Royal Beach Club Santorini is a private beach destination exclusively available to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers visiting Santorini, Greece. It offers a resort-style beach day experience that includes food, drinks, beach access, and transportation, all organized directly through the cruise line. Unlike traditional Santorini port days, where passengers must navigate crowded streets, public beaches, and transportation, the Royal Beach Club provides a more controlled and comfortable experience. This allows guests to relax in a private environment while still enjoying Santorini’s famous scenery.
Photo by Thomas Oldenburger on Unsplash
Where Is Royal Beach Club Santorini Located?
Royal Caribbean’s Santorini beach club will be located in Greece on the southern coast of Santorini near Vlychada Beach, one of the island’s most scenic volcanic beach areas. This location is known for:
- Volcanic black sand beaches
- Crystal-clear water
- Dramatic cliff landscapes
- A quieter environment compared to central Santorini
Guests will be transported directly from the cruise ship to the beach club, making the experience easy and stress-free. This private access helps cruise passengers avoid Santorini’s busiest and most crowded areas.
What Is Included at Royal Beach Club Santorini?
The Royal Beach Club Santorini is designed to provide a luxury beach experience similar to a private resort. Expected inclusions include:
- Private beach access
- Complimentary loungers and umbrellas
- Included food, including local Greek dishes
- Included soft drinks, beer, and wine
- Beachfront seating and shaded areas
- Wi-Fi access
- Transportation to and from the cruise ship
This all-in-one experience makes it easier for cruise passengers to enjoy Santorini without worrying about logistics.
How Much Will Royal Beach Club Santorini Cost?
The Royal Beach Club Santorini will be offered as a paid shore excursion through Royal Caribbean. Estimated pricing is expected to range between:
- $250 to $300 per adult
- $150 to $200 per child
Final pricing may vary depending on sailing date and availability. While this is more expensive than visiting public beaches independently, it includes transportation, food, drinks, and private beach access. For many cruise passengers, the convenience and comfort make it worth the cost.
Royal Beach Club Santorini vs Perfect Day at CocoCay: What’s the Difference?
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas is a fully private island owned by the cruise line, featuring water parks, large pools, and thrill attractions. In contrast, the Royal Beach Club Santorini is designed to offer a more relaxed, luxury beach experience on a real European island. Key differences include:
Photo by Fernando Jorge on Unsplash
- Perfect Day at CocoCay:
- Large private island
- Waterslides and water parks
- Multiple pools and attractions
- Family-focused activities
- Royal Beach Club Santorini:
- Private beach club on Santorini
- Focus on relaxation and scenery
- Included food and drinks
- Premium, resort-style beach environment
Santorini’s beach club will appeal more to guests looking for relaxation, beautiful scenery, and a peaceful beach day.
Why Royal Caribbean Is Opening a Private Beach Club in Santorini
Santorini is one of the most popular cruise ports in the world, but it can also be extremely crowded. When multiple cruise ships arrive at the same time, thousands of passengers enter the island at once. This can lead to:
- Long wait times
- Crowded transportation
- Overcrowded beaches
- Stressful port experiences
Royal Caribbean’s private beach club helps solve these problems by offering a dedicated, exclusive beach experience for its passengers. This improves comfort, convenience, and overall guest satisfaction.
Who Can Access Royal Beach Club Santorini?
The Royal Beach Club Santorini will be primarily available to:
- Royal Caribbean cruise passengers
- Celebrity Cruises passengers
This limited access helps keep the beach club less crowded than public beaches.
Is Royal Beach Club Santorini Worth It?
The Royal Beach Club Santorini will likely be worth it for cruise passengers who want:
- A relaxing, stress-free beach day
- Included food and drinks
- A less crowded environment
- Easy transportation
- A premium cruise excursion experience
It is especially appealing for travelers who prefer comfort and convenience over navigating public areas independently.
Royal Caribbean Santorini 2026: What This Means for Cruise Passengers
The opening of Royal Beach Club Santorini in 2026 represents a major shift in cruise destinations. Royal Caribbean is expanding its private destination model beyond the Caribbean and into Europe. Private beach clubs allow Royal Caribbean to provide more controlled, high-quality experiences for cruise passengers. This trend is expected to continue, with more private destinations opening around the world in the coming years.
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Santorini is expected to become one of the most popular cruise excursions in Europe when it opens in summer 2026. By combining Santorini’s natural beauty with private beach access, included food and drinks, and organized transportation, Royal Caribbean is creating a premium beach experience designed specifically for cruise passengers. For anyone cruising to Santorini in 2026 or later, this new private beach club will offer one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to enjoy the island.