WATCH: Royal Caribbean’s Lelepa private destination is coming in October 2027 – here’s all the info

• Royal Caribbean has announced the opening dates for Lelepa, as well as what to expect at the new private destination.
• The destination will open from October 2027 and the first sailings that visit Lelepa can be booked from March 19.
• Read through to see what is and isn’t included, what amenities there are and look at photos and videos of what the new destination will look like.

Royal Caribbean has finally spilled the beans on the details of their private destination at Lelepa, including a confirmed opening date of October 2027. The first sailings that will visit Lelepa are set to arrive tomorrow, with Royal Caribbean as we know it in Australia set to change forever.

The new destination in Vanuatu will become the first private cruise ship destination in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll find out tomorrow what a Lelepa itinerary looks like in terms of where they’ll leave from, how many days of sailing, which other ports are visited and more.

For now, here’s what we know about Royal Caribbean’s upcoming destination at Lelepa.

First some quick points

• The new stop will offer access to long stretches of beach, including a small cove just for adults
• Unlike other private destinations, the beach club access is included in the fare
• We don’t know yet if drinks packages will be able to be used on the island
• You can book the first Lelepa sailings from tomorrow!

Here’s what’s included in your cruise fare

• Entry to the beach club and accompanied amenities such as umbrellas, beach loungers, beach towels, beach strollers, transport from the ship and more
• There is unlimited dining that is included in your fare, with two different eateries available
• Sports activities like beach cricket, volleyball and more
• A special adults-only area that’s tucked into a small cove, offering more privacy and quiet
• A nature trial with a special hike for passengers

What comes at an extra cost?

• Daybeds at the beach club incur an extra cost
• Water Sports equipment such as snorkels, kayaks and glass bottom experiences need to be paid for
• Mama’s market is an area to shop and explore other dining options that aren’t included in the fare

Royal Caribbean’s own description of the area

This is what Royal Caribbean itself has to say about the new destination.

“We are developing a beach club experience that is completely connected to the Australian guest who’ve told us exactly how they want to experience that, and that’s what we’re creating.   It’s really going to be a special place.

“On the relaxation side, we have picturesque beaches on both the west and east coasts.   We have plenty of loungers  and umbrellas and towels, so you can be comfortable while enjoying the beach.

“We have spent a lot of time really understanding the topography of the island. The plan is to really showcase the natural beauty of the destination. The waters are crystal clear, blue for miles. The backdrop is just a vision of  mountains. It really is a stunning destination that pictures just don’t do justice.

Water sports and games

“We want the water experiences to be reflective of the natural beauty of the site. So we’re going to offer snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding,  even some glass bottom options to really give guests a unique view of the ocean.

“We plan to offer a variety of competitions  and contests for all ages so families   and kids can try to become the island’s champion.”

Adults-only area

“We’ll also have an adults-only area that we’ve built into the natural cove of the shape of the island. It really allows guests in that region to just pick their  best beach day in the South Pacific.”

Nature trail

“For those guests looking to really just adventure and experience the lush landscape we have a nature hike that’s at the heart of the property.  Keri-Ann Chin-Sang, Senior  Director, Product Development We will have a nature trail that uses the existing topography of the site that will allow guests. A chance to really explore the island in a unique way and be rewarded with some amazing vistas of the island and the surrounding area.

Dining

We’re working with our culinary team to make sure  that we provide a menu that has Royal Caribbean classics as well as a little bit of local,  authentic flair of the culture of Vanuatu that’s  very unique to the destination. We are going to have ten different bar experiences available on the island offering a variety of canned drinks, some local, some foreign, to really just allow you to explore different options.