Royal Caribbean has revealed the long-awaited debut of the Royal Beach Club Lelepa, an exclusive cruise destination in Vanuatu that it says is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The new Royal Beach Club Lelepa is set to feature on every South Pacific sailing departing Sydney and Brisbane from October 2027.
Located in Vanuatu, Royal Beach Club Lelepa is designed as a purpose-built day destination where cruise guests can spend time across two beaches, including a family-friendly stretch and a dedicated adults-only retreat.
The private-style beach destination will feature ten bars, island-style dining, snorkelling opportunities and a scenic nature trail. Sun loungers, umbrellas and towels will be included as part of the experience. Royal Caribbean opened its first Royal Beach Club – Paradise Island in the Bahamas – in December 2025. Royal Caribbean says the destination aims to deliver an immersive beach day while highlighting the natural beauty of the island.
“As the most trusted holiday partner in Australia, Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on the ultimate family holiday with Royal Beach Club Lelepa – a first-of-its-kind destination in the Southern Hemisphere inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of the South Pacific region,” said Royal Caribbean vice president and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Gavin Smith, who a few months ago boasted the island experience would be “about the size of Centennial Park in Sydney”.
“We know Australian families love holidaying in the South Pacific, and Lelepa takes that to an entirely new level with an experience they won’t find anywhere else in the world.”
2027-28 season reveal
The new attraction forms a key part of the cruise line’s Australian summer 2027–2028 deployment, which will see Anthem of the Seas sailing from Sydney and Voyager of the Seas operating from Brisbane.
From Sydney, Anthem of the Seas will offer 24 itineraries ranging from three to 17 nights. These include short weekend escapes, South Pacific cruises and longer New Zealand voyages visiting Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Milford Sound.
Meanwhile, Voyager of the Seas will deliver 29 sailings from Brisbane between two and 25 nights. The program includes seven-night South Pacific cruises that call at Noumea, Lifou, Mystery Island, Port Vila, Luganville and of course, Lelepa.
Short Whitsundays getaways to Airlie Beach and longer transpacific voyages are also included in the schedule.
“With an expanded lineup of weekend sailings, short escapes and longer ways to holiday, we’re giving travellers even more reasons to explore fan-favourite destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific,” Smith said.
Bookings for the 2027–2028 season are now open.
Read our full review of Anthem of the Seas, which made its Australian debut in 2025, right here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The private cruise destination concept is booming, and Royal Caribbean is now bringing that model to the South Pacific. For Aussie travel advisors, Lelepa could quickly become a major selling point, especially for travellers chasing that “exclusive island day” experience closer to home.
