- Royal Caribbean’s Facebook page has teased news about year-round cruising out of Australia.
- A fan who enquired about year-round cruising on a post about Lelepa, Royal Caribbean’s new private destination, did not receive a negative response.
- Meanwhile, with the release of prices for other private destinations, we can start to glean what the cost might be.
Royal Caribbean has declined an opportunity to rule out year-round cruising to Australia from 2027, to coincide with the arrival of Lelepa as a private destination on Australian itineraries.
Set to be the first-ever private cruise destination in the southern hemisphere, Lelepa appears to be the perfect reason for Royal Caribbean to commit to year-round cruising in Australia.
Like many of Royal Caribbean’s private islands around the world, their ships sail year-round, offering itineraries and places to visit when wave season finishes.
A fan raised the question on Royal Caribbean’s Facebook Page carrying news of the new beach clubs. The comment read: “This is great news. Any leaks on a year-round ship for us?”
Royal Caribbean’s official Facebook account replied: “You’ll be the first to know?”
While the comment could be a turn of phrase, it was an opportunity to nip such hopes in the bud. Instead, the phrase used implies the line may be releasing new information.
Other users have also mentioned this across that post and others, suggesting it’s something Aussies are keen to hear about.
Currently, there is a limited amount of year-round cruising, with Carnival and Princess as the only lines that visit during the off-season. Princess’ calls to Australia are on a world cruise, and will only stay in the region for around two months.
Year-round cruising out of Australia is often seen as a great option to escape the colder months, where a South Pacific cruise is just two days at sea from Sydney, and one from Brisbane. Other itineraries will include North Queensland where the weather is warm and temperate.
It’s long been a hope for Aussie Royal Caribbean faithfuls that the cruise line will start year-round sailing in Australia, and it appears we could finally be about to see it.
Can Lelepa provide the variety that Aussie itineraries need?
Royal Caribbean fans have previously expressed that they want to see a greater variety of cruise destinations.
In fact, Royal Caribbean actually sent out surveys to Aussies regarding destinations in the Pacific and where they would like to cruise to. However, when the 2026/27 itineraries were released, many cruisers were disappointed to see no new ports had been added.
While the destinations that Aussies call for are generally Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and others, Lelepa will provide something new.
Royal Caribbean say that they’re designing Lelepa with the local market in mind, rather than recreating their successful destinations from the Caribbean. Lelepa is expected to have a nature trail, as well as cultural markets and performances, offering a more immersive experience that Aussies enjoy, rather than just a private resort.
How much will Lelepa cost?
At this stage, it is unclear currently how pricing will work, as well as what exactly the facilities will be, but Royal Caribbean does charge its guests a fee if they want to visit their private islands.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s new Nassau beach club costs USD$109 (AUD$165) for cruisers aged four to 12 and USD$129.99, (AUD$196) for those aged 13 and older. This equates to AUD$720 for a family of four.
If adults want an inclusive package at the beach club in Nassau, this will cost more, at AUD$255 per person.
But a visit to the line’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Caribbean is mostly complimentary, ome of these include access to the Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, the shipwrecked Captain Jill’s Galleon which is loaded with slides and water cannons, and the biggest ever Splashaway Bay aqua park.
On the beaches, there are plenty of free beach chairs with umbrellas and activities, and guests can access five complimentary dining venues located throughout the island.
Passengers hope activities such as the nature trail or visiting the market or beach will provide a free-alternative to the expected.
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