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Royal Caribbean to open first beach club in Antigua

Antigua has been chosen as the location for the first Royal Caribbean International beach club.

The Royal Beach Club will be set along a half-mile of beachfront near Fort James on the island in 2021.

Facilities will include private cabanas and a swimming pool with a swim up bar.

The cruise line company signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Antigua and Barbuda for the project.


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The Royal Beach Club concept builds on the success of the new Perfect Day island resort at CocoCay in the Bahamas but will be a “distinctly different” experience for passengers, according to the company.

Through land-based destinations, such as the recently announced Perfect Day at Lelepa in the South Pacific and the new Royal Beach Club concept, the company is supporting its expanding fleet of ships.

Specific designs for the Antigua destination are not due to be revealed for several months.

But the line expects to offer regional food, island-style barbeques and live music, along with wave runners, paddle boarding, snorkelling and family activities.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “With Royal Beach Club, we’re starting with a great day at a beautiful beach, and adding even more services and activities.

“Each location will feature local food and music, family activities and custom attractions to give everyone plenty of options on how to spend their day by the ocean.”

He added: “The Royal Beach Club Collection is an adventure we cannot wait to reveal to our guests.

“We have incredible partners in the government of Antigua and Barbuda to bring the first of our collection to life.

“Together, we are designing an experience that will bring more visitors to these idyllic islands and will create significant economic benefits and opportunities for local employment for years to come.”

Antigua tourism minister Charles Fernandez added: “The government of Antigua and Barbuda welcomes this multimillion-dollar investment into our tourism product by Royal Caribbean.

“The economic impact into our economy is projected to be approximately $80 million from direct revenue to the government over the next 30 years and over $1 billion in indirect revenue during the same period.

“The project will also provide meaningful employment to Antiguans and Barbudans for both the construction phase and the operations of the project for years to come.”

Cruise tourism is anticipated to see 50% growth in the Caribbean over the next decade.

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