Royal Caribbean to Open Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu in 2027

Royal Caribbean is set to open Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a private destination in Vanuatu, in October 2027. The beach club will be the cruise line’s first private destination in the Southern Hemisphere, with bookings already open for sailings that include a call at Lelepa starting in the 2027-28 season.

A first private Royal Caribbean destination in the Southern Hemisphere

Royal Caribbean has positioned Royal Beach Club Lelepa as a new kind of South Pacific cruise stop built around what regional travelers want. “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 the region. It’s really going to be a special place,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean.

Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director for Royal Caribbean’s Australia and New Zealand division, described the destination as uniquely inspired by the “natural beauty and spirit of the South Pacific.”

Where Lelepa is located and how Royal Caribbean is approaching the design

Royal Beach Club Lelepa (pronounced leh-leh-PAH) is being developed on the northern side of Vanuatu’s island of Lelepa, about 25 miles by sea from Port Vila. Royal Caribbean has also described the destination as part of an archipelago roughly 1,200 miles northeast of Brisbane, Australia, and about 350 miles north of Noumea, New Caledonia.

Keri-Ann Chin-Sang, senior director, product development for Royal Caribbean, said the team’s planning has emphasized the island’s natural contours and views. “We have spent a lot of time really understanding the topography of the island,” she said, adding that the intent is to highlight the destination’s natural scenery and clear-water views.

Two beach areas, water activities, and a tendered arrival

Royal Caribbean’s initial plans call for two primary beach zones: an adults-only retreat and a separate family-oriented beach designed around more structured activities. The company’s early concept art shows brightly colored buildings, shaded structures and open recreation areas, while the planned on-island lineup also includes beach volleyball, cricket and cornhole tosses.

On the water, Royal Caribbean has said guests can expect options including snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding, along with glass-bottom experiences designed around viewing marine life and surrounding waters.

Lelepa is planned as a tender port rather than a pier call, meaning guests will transfer by water shuttle instead of docking directly. Royal Caribbean has framed the tendered operation as a way to keep the experience more controlled and resort-like.

Food, drinks, shopping, and what is included for guests

Royal Caribbean has said access to Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be included in the standard cruise fare, distinguishing it from Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, which is sold as an add-on experience. The line has also compared the all-inclusive approach to the broader model used at Perfect Day at CocoCay, where many on-island basics are part of the cruise fare.

• Dining is planned across two eateries, blending Royal Caribbean staples with local dishes, with unlimited “island eats” included as part of the beach club visit.
• The beach club is set to feature 10 bars serving cocktails, other beverages, local brews and signature drinks.
• Beach essentials including towels, loungers and umbrellas will be provided, and Royal Caribbean has also said beach strollers and beach wheelchairs will be available at no charge.
• Some premium options are expected to cost extra, including upgraded daybeds and rentals tied to water sports equipment.

Royal Caribbean has also said the layout includes a retail area called Mama’s Market, where the company expects souvenirs and locally crafted, artisan-style items. The line has not released a full list of vendors or product lines.

How Royal Beach Club Lelepa fits into the 2027-28 Australia season

Royal Caribbean has tied Lelepa’s rollout to South Pacific itineraries sailing from Australia beginning with the 2027-28 season, which the cruise line has said is scheduled to run from October 2027 through April 2028. Itineraries featuring the destination are set to sail on Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, and Royal Caribbean has also said additional ship assignments may be announced closer to opening.

For its Australia-based deployments during the 2027-28 season, Royal Caribbean has scheduled two homeported ships:

• Anthem of the Seas will sail from Sydney on voyages ranging from short three-night trips to longer itineraries, including New Zealand calls at Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Milford Sound.
• Voyager of the Seas will sail from Brisbane, with itineraries ranging from two to 25 nights and port calls that Royal Caribbean has highlighted as including Noumea, Lifou, Mystery Island, Port Vila and Luganville, along with four-night sailings to Airlie Beach.

Royal Caribbean’s published highlights for Anthem also include a South Pacific Christmas cruise featuring Lelepa, a New Year’s itinerary focused on New Zealand, and a 17-night repositioning sailing from Hawaii to Sydney.

For Voyager, Royal Caribbean has said the ship’s season includes 29 departures and will be capped by a 25-night repositioning voyage from Seattle to Brisbane that calls in French Polynesia and Hawaii en route to Australia.

What Royal Caribbean has not detailed yet

While Royal Caribbean has shared early renderings and an initial overview of activities, dining and the tender operation, the company has not yet published complete menu details or a full list of shore options for Royal Beach Club Lelepa beyond the initial outline. The cruise line has said additional information is expected ahead of the October 2027 opening as operations are finalized for the new destination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Royal Beach Club Lelepa scheduled to open?

Royal Beach Club Lelepa is scheduled to open in October 2027, and sailings that include a call at the destination are already available to book.

Is Royal Beach Club Lelepa included in the cruise fare?

Yes. Royal Caribbean has said access to Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be included in the cruise fare, including dining and core beach amenities, with some upgrades available for an additional charge.

How do guests get ashore at Lelepa?

Lelepa is planned as a tender port, meaning guests will transfer between ship and shore by water shuttle rather than docking at a pier.

Which Royal Caribbean ships will visit Royal Beach Club Lelepa?

Royal Caribbean has said Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas will feature Lelepa on itineraries starting in October 2027. For the Australia-based 2027-28 season, the line has scheduled Anthem of the Seas from Sydney and Voyager of the Seas from Brisbane, with South Pacific itineraries from those ports set to include Lelepa.