Royal Beach Club
Cozumel

Royal Beach Club Cozumel follows Royal Caribbean's proven beach club model, first established at Paradise Island in Nassau. These destinations are designed as premium, exclusive beach experiences accessible only to Royal Caribbean cruise guests — distinct from the company's private islands like CocoCay and Labadee where entire ships disembark together. Beach clubs operate more like upscale shore excursions with controlled attendance, dedicated transportation, and resort-quality amenities.

Based on the Paradise Island model, I expect Royal Beach Club Cozumel will feature: pristine beach areas with premium loungers and umbrellas, freshwater pools with swim-up bars, private cabana rentals at various price tiers, water sports equipment and activities, dining venues featuring local cuisine, cultural programming showcasing Mexican traditions, and dedicated transportation from Cozumel's cruise piers. The specific site selection, capacity limits, and amenity details have not been publicly confirmed as of early 2026.

The transportation logistics will be interesting to watch. Cozumel operates three cruise piers — Punta Langosta (downtown), International Pier (SSA), and Puerta Maya (Carnival) — spread across several miles of coastline. Royal Caribbean will likely establish ferry or shuttle service similar to the Nassau model, but the specifics of routing and travel time will significantly impact the guest experience. In Nassau, the ferry ride is approximately 25 minutes and is included in admission. I expect something similar for Cozumel, though water versus ground transportation will depend on the beach club's specific location.

Accessibility considerations should follow the Paradise Island standard, which includes wheelchair-accessible facilities, beach wheelchairs available for loan, and accessible restroom facilities. Guests with mobility considerations should confirm specific accommodations when booking becomes available, as some premium features like overwater cabanas typically require stair access.

While specific transportation details await official announcement, here's what I anticipate based on the Royal Beach Club model and Cozumel's geography:

• Dedicated Transportation: Expect Royal Caribbean to provide dedicated shuttle or ferry service from Cozumel's cruise piers to the beach club, similar to the ferry service at Paradise Island. This transportation should be included in your beach club admission and timed to maximize your beach day while guaranteeing return to ship.
• Travel Time: Depending on the beach club's location on Cozumel, travel time could range from 15-30 minutes. The island is relatively compact, so even locations on the southern coast are within reasonable distance of the cruise terminals. Water-based ferry service would likely be faster than ground transportation given Cozumel's coastal roads.
• Schedule: Based on the Nassau model, expect multiple departure times throughout the morning with return shuttles running until approximately 60-90 minutes before your ship's all-aboard time. Royal Caribbean's transportation guarantee means if their shuttle causes you to miss the ship, they're responsible for getting you to the next port.
• Booking: Beach club admission will be booked through Royal Caribbean's shore excursion system — either online before your cruise via the Cruise Planner or onboard through the Shore Excursions desk. Booking in advance is strongly recommended as capacity will be limited and popular sailing dates may sell out early.
• Independent Access: Like Paradise Island, Royal Beach Club Cozumel will almost certainly be exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests who book through the ship. Independent taxi or rental car access will not be available — this is a controlled, private destination rather than a public beach.

Based on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and typical premium beach club features, here's what I anticipate at the Cozumel location:

• Beach Areas: Premium beach with controlled capacity, quality loungers with umbrellas, and generous spacing between guests. Cozumel's western coastline offers calm, protected water ideal for swimming and wading.
• Pools: Freshwater pool complex likely including swim-up bar service, family pool, and possibly adults-only section. The Paradise Island location features multiple pools with excellent design.
• Cabanas (Premium Upgrade): Expect tiered cabana options from beachfront structures to potentially overwater cabanas if the site permits. Nassau pricing ranges from $249-$599 depending on cabana type.
• Food & Beverage: Base admission will likely include non-alcoholic beverages. Food and alcohol typically à la carte. I hope they'll feature authentic Mexican cuisine — tacos, ceviche, fresh seafood — rather than generic beach fare.
• Water Sports: Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and possibly jet skis and parasailing. Cozumel's reef environment may influence available activities, with snorkeling potentially being a standout offering.
• Cultural Programming: If they follow the Nassau model, expect live music, artisan vendors, and cultural demonstrations. A Mexican beach club should feature mariachi, traditional crafts, and perhaps cooking demonstrations.

The big question: should you book the Royal Beach Club excursion or explore Cozumel independently? Here's my analysis of the trade-offs based on what I know about both the island and the Royal Beach Club concept.

Choose Royal Beach Club If You Want:

• Guaranteed quality: Premium amenities, controlled crowds, consistent standards — no guessing about beach chair availability or facility quality
• Zero logistics: Transportation handled, return to ship guaranteed, no negotiating with taxi drivers or navigating unfamiliar routes
• All-day convenience: Beverages included, food on-site, no need to carry cash or worry about finding restaurants
• Family-friendly environment: Safe, supervised, age-appropriate activities without hawkers or aggressive vendors
• First-time visitors: If you've never been to Cozumel and want a stress-free beach day, the beach club removes all uncertainty

Choose Independent Cozumel If You Want:

• World-class snorkeling: Boat trips to Palancar Reef and Colombia Reef offer experiences the beach club may not match. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is Cozumel's crown jewel
• Cultural exploration: San Gervasio Mayan ruins, downtown San Miguel, authentic taquerias, and the real Mexico beyond cruise tourism
• Budget flexibility: Independent beach clubs like Paradise Beach or Mr. Sanchos run $50-80 with food and drinks — potentially less than Royal Beach Club
• Repeat visitors: If you've done Cozumel multiple times and want something different, the existing beach clubs and independent exploration offer more variety
• Adventure seekers: Rental scooters, jungle ATV tours, cenote swimming, Tulum day trips — activities that won't be part of a beach club experience

How to Book

Booking through Royal Caribbean: Royal Beach Club admission will be available as a ship excursion through the Cruise Planner online before your sailing or through the Shore Excursions desk onboard. Book ahead — capacity is limited and popular sailing dates sell out weeks in advance. The excursion price will include round-trip transportation from the cruise pier with guaranteed return to ship, plus all-day access to beach club facilities. You can cancel up to 48 hours before your port day for a full refund. For independent Cozumel exploration, you can book snorkeling tours, ruins excursions, and beach club day passes through the ship or arrange them independently with local operators at the pier.

My Recommendation

Once Royal Beach Club Cozumel opens, I'll evaluate based on firsthand experience. My preliminary thinking: it will be excellent for families, first-timers, and those who prioritize hassle-free relaxation. But Cozumel offers so much beyond beach lounging — the snorkeling, the ruins, the food culture — that experienced travelers might prefer mixing beach club days with independent exploration on return visits. The best news is you'll have choice: premium beach club or authentic Mexican adventure, depending on what you're seeking that particular port day.

For detailed information on current independent Cozumel options, see my complete Cozumel Port Guide covering beaches, snorkeling, ruins, food, and all the ways to experience this extraordinary island.

While specific menus await the beach club's opening, I'm hopeful Royal Caribbean will embrace authentic Mexican cuisine rather than generic beach fare. Here's what I'd love to see and what seems likely based on the company's approach at Paradise Island:

• Included with Admission: Non-alcoholic beverages — water, soft drinks, juice, iced tea. This follows the Paradise Island model where base admission covers unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.
• À La Carte Food: Expect a main restaurant featuring Mexican specialties alongside casual grill options. If they're smart, they'll offer authentic tacos, fresh ceviche, grilled seafood Veracruz-style, and traditional sides like rice and beans, elote (Mexican street corn), and guacamole.
• Bar Service: Premium margaritas, Mexican beer (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, Dos Equis), tequila selections, and tropical cocktails. Prices at Paradise Island run $8-14 per drink; expect similar in Mexico.
• Casual Options: Beach grill with burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches for those wanting familiar options. I hope they'll also offer quesadillas, fish tacos, and other portable Mexican fare.
• Cultural Integration: The opportunity here is to showcase Yucatecan cuisine — cochinita pibil, papadzules, sopa de lima — dishes you won't find at every Caribbean beach club. I'll be watching to see if Royal Caribbean takes this chance to make the food genuinely Mexican.

Budget Planning: If pricing follows the Nassau model, plan on $40-60 per person for lunch and drinks. Families should budget $150-250 for a full day including admission and food/beverages.

• Opening Timeline: Royal Caribbean announced Royal Beach Club Cozumel for 2026. Specific opening dates and booking availability have not been confirmed as of this writing. Check Royal Caribbean's official announcements for updates.
• This Page is Preliminary: Content on this page represents informed speculation based on the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island model and general Cozumel conditions. Details will be updated with confirmed information as it becomes available.
• For Current Cozumel Information: If you're planning a Cozumel visit before the beach club opens (or want to explore independently), see our complete Cozumel Port Guide for current beach clubs, attractions, and practical information.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Mexican law requires reef-safe sunscreen for water activities — biodegradable formulas without oxybenzone and octinoxate. This will certainly apply at any beach club with water access. Bring your own compliant sunscreen.
• Hurricane Season: Cozumel is in the Atlantic hurricane belt with season running June 1 through November 30. Peak risk is September-October. Ships may reroute during active storms. Travel insurance is recommended for cruises during these months.

I have not yet visited Royal Beach Club Cozumel as it has not opened. These thoughts are based on my experience with Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and extensive familiarity with Cozumel itself.

The Royal Beach Club concept makes sense for Cozumel. This is already one of the Caribbean's most-visited cruise ports, with beautiful water, established tourism infrastructure, and a cruise-friendly culture. Adding a premium beach option gives Royal Caribbean guests another choice — not replacing the independent Cozumel experience, but complementing it with a guaranteed-quality alternative for those who want simplicity and exclusivity.

My excitement centers on the cultural potential. If Royal Caribbean brings the same thoughtfulness they showed in Nassau — integrating local performers, artisans, and cuisine into the beach club experience — a Mexican location could offer something genuinely distinctive. The Yucatan has such rich heritage that a beach club here shouldn't feel like every other Caribbean destination. I'm hoping for mariachi instead of steel drums, tacos instead of chicken fingers, and local crafts that reflect the ancient Maya traditions that make this region unique.

The snorkeling potential is what truly sets Cozumel apart. The island's position on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef means world-class underwater visibility and diverse marine life. If Royal Beach Club can incorporate meaningful reef access — not just a roped-off swimming area, but actual snorkeling over healthy coral — they'll be offering something the Nassau location can't match. This could be the beach club for underwater enthusiasts.

I'll return with firsthand impressions once the beach club opens. Until then, treat this page as an informed preview rather than a confirmed guide. And for anyone visiting Cozumel before then, please explore my complete Cozumel guide — the island is wonderful with or without a Royal Beach Club.

Q: When will Royal Beach Club Cozumel open?
A: Royal Caribbean announced the destination for 2026, but specific opening dates have not been confirmed. Check Royal Caribbean's official announcements for the latest timeline updates as the opening approaches.

Q: How much will Royal Beach Club Cozumel cost?
A: Pricing has not been announced. Based on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, expect base admission around $99-149 per person depending on season, with food and alcoholic beverages as additional charges. Cabana rentals will likely add $249-599 depending on type.

Q: Will I still be able to visit regular Cozumel?
A: Yes. Royal Beach Club will be one shore excursion option among many. You can choose between the beach club experience or exploring Cozumel independently — visiting existing beach clubs, snorkeling the reefs, touring ruins, or exploring San Miguel. The beach club doesn't replace other options.

Q: How is Royal Beach Club different from CocoCay?
A: CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island where entire ships disembark. Royal Beach Club is a premium beach club with limited capacity and separate admission — more like an upscale shore excursion than a private island. Both offer exclusive experiences but with different scales and pricing models.

Q: Can I visit Royal Beach Club if I'm not on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
A: No. Royal Beach Club destinations are exclusively for Royal Caribbean cruise guests who book through the ship's shore excursion system. They are not open to independent visitors or guests from other cruise lines.

Q: Will there be snorkeling at Royal Beach Club Cozumel?
A: Likely yes, though details are unconfirmed. Cozumel's position on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef makes snorkeling a natural fit. Whether it will match the quality of dedicated boat snorkel trips to sites like Palancar Reef remains to be seen.

Q: Is Royal Beach Club Cozumel wheelchair accessible?
A: Based on the Paradise Island model, the main facilities should be wheelchair accessible with beach wheelchairs available. Premium features like overwater cabanas typically require stair access. Confirm specific accommodations when booking becomes available.

Q: Should I book Royal Beach Club or explore Cozumel independently?
A: It depends on your priorities. The beach club will offer guaranteed quality, zero logistics, and controlled crowds — ideal for families, first-timers, and those wanting hassle-free relaxation. Independent exploration offers world-class reef snorkeling, Mayan ruins, authentic Mexican food, and lower costs. See my comparison above for a detailed breakdown.