A first look at Royal Caribbean's new beach club in Greece
As the Mediterranean cruise season gets underway, Royal Caribbean has officially opened the beach umbrellas for cruise passengers at its first exclusive beach club in Europe.
Royal Caribbean's second Royal Beach Club, following the opening of in-demand new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, Royal Beach Club Santorini is now welcoming guests sailing on Greek Isles cruises.
The new beach club is part of a new Ultimate Santorini Day shore excursion offered on Royal Caribbean cruises to Santorini that's designed to help improve the port experience on the popular island. The curated excursion not only allows passengers to maximize their day by combining a beach club visit with top island sights, it strategically manages the flow of passengers across three locations to help cut down on crowding.
Come Cruise With Me's travel agent partners at Postcard Travel Planning got a first look at Royal Beach Club Santorini from a client named Mark who is currently sailing aboard Odyssey of the Seas and visited the destination on opening day on April 27.
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Ultimate Santorini Day excursion is long, full-day tour
An eight-hour-long tour, the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion is long, with about half of the day reserved for relaxing at Royal Beach Club Santorini. The other half of the day is spent exploring the picturesque villages of Oia and Fira, known for their white-washed buildings and stunning caldera views.
Passengers booked on the excursion are divided into groups with different departure times, which determines their excursion's itinerary order. To reduce crowding, one group will start their day at Royal Beach Club while others will start in Oia or Fira.
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Passengers are shuttled between the ship and shore by boat tender, and then transported by bus between Oia, Fira, and Royal Beach Club during the tour.
According to Mark, the Postcard Travel Planning client who took the excursion, cruisers should be prepared for a long day ashore.
Royal Beach Club Santorini stands out for its beach, food, and service
After his visit to Royal Beach Club Santorini, Mark told Postcard Travel Planning that the beautiful beach, delicious Greek food, and excellent service were highlights of the beach club experience.
Royal Beach Club Santorini sits on a stunning, secluded stretch of Santorini's volcanic black sand surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Despite its beauty, the beach club experience did have a couple of downsides for its first visitors. According to Mark, there weren't enough beach lounge chairs for everyone and the Aegean Sea waters were too cold for swimming at this time of year. Those visiting in the summer can expect a more refreshing swimming experience as temperatures rise.
Related: Royal Caribbean adds new cruise brunch option
In addition to a private, black-sand beach that includes premium loungers, umbrellas, and towels, the beach club experience offers standout all-inclusive-style dining. The experience includes a complimentary welcome drink and an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring quick bites from gyros to Greek salads, as well as unlimited soft drinks, wine, and local draft beer. Food truck dining will also be available beginning in June.
An all-ages experience, Royal Beach Club Santorini is exclusively open to cruise passengers sailing with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, as well as local residents.
In addition to Royal Beach Club Santorini, Royal Caribbean plans to open its third Royal Beach Club in late 2026 in Cozumel, Mexico. In 2027, the cruise line will bring its exclusive beach destination experience to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time with the opening of Royal Beach Club Lelepa in the South Pacific.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 2:54 PM.