By
Laura Hyde |
Royal Caribbean Group will open the first exclusive island cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere in 2027.
Located in a South Pacific Archipelago off the east of Australia, Lelepa in Vanuatu has been created to bring the Royal Caribbean private island experience to guests in Australia and beyond. It will feature beaches, nature trails, water activities and dining venues.
Over the next three years Royal Caribbean will open a number of private island experiences, alongside its existing Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Opening in autumn 2027, Perfect Day Mexico will span more than 200 acres on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It will welcome guests sailing on Western Caribbean itineraries from Galveston in Texas, New Orleans in Louisiana, and all Florida homeports.
The island will feature 12 regionally inspired dining options, from sit-down spots to grab-and-go eateries, nearly all of which will be complimentary. The island will also be home to 24 bars, including six guests can swim directly up to. It will also offer Loco Waterpark, which will feature more than 30 waterslides across five slide towers, including the tallest waterslide tower – the 170-foot Jaguar’s Peak – in North and South America.
When it opens in autumn 2027 Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico will include Loco Waterpark
Perfect Day Mexico will also have Splash Cove, which will feature the longest lazy river in the world. The river, which will take an hour to traverse, will include multiple entry and exit points, as well as numerous float-up bars. An optional section of the river will feature waves, rapids and spins.
The adults-only El Hideaway will include a zero-entry pool, swim-up bar and in-pool DJ, as well as the new Ultimate Party Cabana for 20 guests, with its own pool and bar.
Royal Caribbean will debut its Royal Beach Club experience in December 2025 when its Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in Nassau in The Bahamas. This will be followed in 2026 by Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico.
The cruise brand is also developing an exclusive destination in Labadee, Haiti, which is set to welcome guests from 2027.
“We’re bringing our demonstrated history of unparalleled service and revolutionary innovation – everything our vacationers know and love – into our collection of destinations that offer more locally inspired perfect days and beachfront getaways,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date. This destination 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.”