The cruise line has outlined a great investment that passengers will be very happy about, but a major player has raised concerns about the project.
Royal Caribbean wants to offer passengers more than just a floating resort hotel that takes them to port destinations.
Some trips, of course, offer exactly that. When you book a cruise to Alaska or Australia, you do so, at least in part, because of the ports the ship calls.
The same could be said of cruise line itineraries that stop throughout Europe, but it’s less true of the Bahamas, where many of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships (RCL) – Get a free report the ships sail.
The company’s larger Oasis-class ships can only stop in certain ports, including Nassau, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and other destinations that have their charms, but may not be the reason people book a cruise.
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To make up for that and give its passengers a special experience that its rivals can’t, Royal Caribbean developed its private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Going far beyond the cruise line’s traditional beach and barbecue private island experience, the island serves as a sort of extension to the ships that visit it.
CocoCay offers multiple beaches, the largest pool in the Caribbean, and multiple dining options included. It also has a water park and a beach club with additional charge. In addition, the cruise line plans to add an adults-only area, Hideaway Beach, which is set to open later this year.
Now, Royal Caribbean has shared plans to build another private island-like experience, the Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas.
But the biggest tourist center in that area has raised a big objection.
Atlantis Resort questions Royal Caribbean’s plan
A top executive at Atlantis, a huge resort complex with a water park, has raised some objections to Royal Caribbean becoming its Paradise Island neighbor.
Vaughn Roberts, Atlantis’ senior vice president of government affairs and special projects, spoke with business grandstand, a local business. making it clear that the resort has reservations about the cruise line plan.
I think we’re obviously watching closely how it all plays out,” he said. “…We’d also like to see that whatever’s done there is done in a very environmentally responsible way.”
Roberts, whose resort has sold day passes to its water park and other experiences through Royal Caribbean, explained his company’s concerns.
“So we know there’s coral reefs there, we know there’s got to be other environmental habitats there. So we just want to make sure everything is done responsibly. Cruise lines have reports of dumping in the ocean and stuff, ” he said.
The executive qualified his comments a bit, but his intentions were clear.
“We are not saying that Royal Caribbean is guilty, but obviously there have been incidents in the past. We just haven’t seen enough of Royal Caribbean’s plans to know how they’re going to mitigate the risks,” she added.
Atlantis’ concerns could be legitimate, or they could be an incumbent’s attempt to shut out a potential competitor.
Royal Caribbean cruise line passengers can book Atlantis “Aquaventure” water park passes with a single adult ticket starting at $309 for a March voyage on Independence of the Seas.
In theory, Royal could still be associated with the resort, but some passengers who might have gone to Atlantis might opt for the (presumably) much cheaper Royal Beach Club.
Royal Caribbean has an agreement with the Bahamas in place
Toby Smith, a Bahamian businessman and Lighthouse Keeper at the Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club, also took issue with Royal Caribbean’s plans. He says that the cruise line has made a deal with the government that will not be favorable to the island’s residents.
Royal Caribbean has emphasized that it is working with the government.
“Prepared in close collaboration with the government of the Bahamas, the new project will feature a public-private partnership in which Bahamians will be invited to own up to 49% of the shares,” the cruise line said in a statement from press.
“Local businesses and entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to manage the vast majority of the experience. Overall, the new company will create hundreds of jobs throughout its construction and long-term operation.”
Concerns like those that could be behind the Atlantis comments are shared by other local business leaders. Some feel that Royal Caribbean’s fate will hurt local “beach break” operators and lead to fewer cruise passengers visiting downtown Nassau (which is steps from the cruise terminal).
“Royal Caribbean is going to absorb the Paradise Island business,” a business owner who chose to remain anonymous told the Tribune.
“The thing is, no one will want to stay on Paradise Island or even downtown, and Royal Caribbean will just take all their guests to their side of the island. A lot of people will lose their jobs, too.”
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