Will Lelepa lead Royal Caribbean to sail year-round from Brisbane? Watch this space…

• Royal Caribbean’s Australian chief has spoken about the launch of the line’s first private beach resort in our region, Royal Beach Club Lelepa.
• He says he is immensely proud, and Lelepa will soon be part of almost every cruise from Sydney or Brisbane.
• One subject he remained coy about is year-round cruising. “We will, of course, provide you with relevant updates,” was all we could get. 

Royal Caribbean is betting big on the South Pacific, with the launch of its first private destination in the region, Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu.

Managing Director Australia & New Zealand Gavin Smith told Cruise Passenger the project is both a milestone for the brand and a personal achievement years in the making.

“It is a landmark moment for the team,” Smith said. “Seeing the vision for Royal Beach Club Lelepa come to life is a huge achievement after years of planning and redefining our exclusive destination offering. We are proud to see it becoming a reality for our Australian holidaymakers.”

The development signals a significant shift in how cruise lines are designing itineraries in the region. Traditionally, South Pacific cruises have relied heavily on port stops across multiple islands. But Lelepa represents a move toward curated, destination-led experiences, a model Royal Caribbean has already proved in the Caribbean with its highly successful Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Lelepa is for all ages

While some might expect the concept to skew younger, Smith insists the appeal is deliberately broad. “We expect Royal Beach Club Lelepa to resonate across each generation,” he explained. “It is designed to be the ultimate beach day for families, friends and couples alike.”

That positioning reflects a wider strategy: combining the onboard attractions of Royal Caribbean’s increasingly innovative ships with a controlled, high-quality destination experience. The aim is not just to complement the cruise, but to redefine what a cruise holiday can offer.

“We are offering a holiday experience adventurers will find only with Royal Caribbean across all South Pacific holidays,” Smith said. “By combining our bold ships with an exclusive destination, we are creating the ultimate family holiday.”

The pricing strategy is also causing some discussion in the market. With fares starting from as low as $125 a day and Lelepa included in itineraries, Royal Caribbean appears to be targeting not just traditional cruise passengers but families who might otherwise choose land-based resorts in destinations like Fiji or Bali.

Cruises compete directly with resorts

Lelepa is more than just a port stop. It represents a product that directly competes with resort-style holidays, offering a hybrid experience that blends the convenience of cruising with the appeal of a private island escape. Effectively, when the ship is alongside, Lelepa is a resort.

Details about onboard-style inclusions on the island are still emerging. Questions around beverage packages, dining options and operational logistics — such as whether staff will be ship-based or locally employed — remain unanswered for now.

“Royal Beach Club Lelepa will offer an experience amplifying the natural beauty and culture of Vanuatu and the South Pacific,” Smith said. “We look forward to sharing more information on beverage packages and dining options with our guests.”

What is clear, however, is the scale of the operation. When Anthem of the Seas calls at Lelepa, the island will host close to 5,000 guests in a single day — effectively transforming it into a purpose-built extension of the ship itself.

Despite the size, Royal Caribbean has consistently emphasised that the development will highlight local culture and environment, rather than overshadow it — a key consideration as cruise lines face increasing scrutiny over sustainability and community impact.

Importantly for Australian travellers, Lelepa won’t be an optional add-on — at least not in the near future.

“Including Royal Beach Club Lelepa is a permanent part of our 2027-28 summer lineup,” Smith confirmed. “Every South Pacific getaway starting from Sydney and Brisbane includes this experience in the holiday price.”

That commitment suggests Royal Caribbean sees Lelepa not as an experiment, but as a central pillar of its regional strategy.

End of the traditional cruise?

The bigger question is whether this marks a turning point for cruising more broadly. As more lines invest in private destinations, is the traditional itinerary – hopping between independent ports – becoming less important?

Smith is careful not to dismiss classic cruising, but acknowledges that exclusive destinations represent a significant evolution.

“Every Royal Caribbean holiday offers something unique for our adventurers,” he said. “Exclusive destinations like Royal Beach Club Lelepa are a bold evolution of the holiday experience in addition to our fan-favourite adventures through New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia.”

In other words, it’s not about replacing traditional itineraries, but enhancing them, and giving cruise lines greater control over the guest experience while still offering variety.

And Lelepa is unlikely to be the last of its kind.

Royal Caribbean is rapidly expanding its portfolio of private destinations globally. Perfect Day Mexico is set to launch in 2027, joining a growing lineup that includes Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, the newly opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel, scheduled for 2026. Enhancements like the adults-only Hideaway Beach at CocoCay show how the company is continuing to refine and segment these offerings.

“Holidaymakers will be able to create their perfect vacation in more ways than one,” Smith said.

For Australian cruisers, Lelepa represents a first: a purpose-built, Royal Caribbean-designed destination in their own backyard. If successful, it could reshape expectations for South Pacific cruising.

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