Get ready for the ultimate day in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Royal Caribbean Group has just announced that Royal Beach Club Santorini will open in summer 2026, bringing cruisers the best of both worlds: a relaxing beach escape and the chance to explore Santorini’s most iconic sights.
The new beach club will welcome guests from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, blending the beauty of Santorini’s volcanic beaches with the company’s signature experiences, hospitality, and local Greek flair.
Imagine your perfect Santorini day, strolling through Oia’s whitewashed streets and blue-domed churches, wandering the shops and cafes of Fira, and then unwinding at a luxurious beach club overlooking the deep-blue Aegean Sea.
That’s exactly what Royal Caribbean Group’s new concept aims to deliver.
Expanding Royal Caribbean’s Land-Based Destinations
According to Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the new addition marks a bold step forward in the company’s ambitious expansion.
“Expanding our Royal Beach Club Collection to include Santorini, one of the world’s most popular and beautiful locations, is a bold step forward in growing our vacation portfolio from two to eight by 2028,” Liberty said. “We’re thrilled to connect guests with Santorini’s gems, from its iconic villages to the Aegean Sea’s famous beach club culture, creating a balanced, authentic island experience.”
This new destination joins Royal Caribbean Group’s growing list of exclusive land-based experiences, which already includes Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. These private destinations have redefined what a cruise vacation can offer, and the Santorini project promises to take that even further.
A Beach Club with a Purpose
Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, shared that the project isn’t just about luxury. It’s also designed to make visiting Santorini better for everyone, including locals and travelers.
“Santorini is an incredible destination that our guests love to explore, and with this new beach club, we are able to bring the best of what the island has to offer with the signature service Royal Caribbean is known for,” said Bayley.
To help manage the island’s busy tourism flow, Royal Caribbean Group is introducing an innovative system to alleviate congestion across Santorini. Guests will start their journey from one of three different locations, reducing crowding and maximizing the time they have to experience the island’s highlights.
Part of a Bigger Vacation Vision
Royal Beach Club Santorini will follow the debut of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, set to open in 2025. It’s part of an exciting lineup of destinations designed to extend cruise vacations beyond the ship and onto land.
By 2028, Royal Caribbean Group will have expanded from two to eight land-based destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Labadee in Haiti, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas (2025), The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile (2026), Royal Beach Club Santorini in Greece (2026), Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico (2026), Perfect Day Mexico (2027), and Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu (2028).
The Future of Cruise Vacations
The addition of Royal Beach Club Santorini marks another major milestone in Royal Caribbean Group’s mission to create unforgettable destination experiences. From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, and now to the heart of Greece, travelers can look forward to even more ways to make every port day extraordinary.
Will you be adding Royal Beach Club Santorini to your cruise bucket list? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy cruising!
Ethan