One of the world’s leading cruise brands has announced it will offer passengers the ‘perfect beach day’ in Mexico by creating its biggest-ever land resort – and it’ll be home to an almighty waterpark, six swim-up bars and the world’s largest tequila bottle.
Royal Caribbean announced this week that the colourful 230 acre resort, which passengers sailing on Western Caribbean itineraries can check into for the day, is set to open in September 2027.
Cruise brands are increasingly creating private port resorts – Disney Cruise has two island resorts exclusively for passenger use and Royal Caribbean already has CocoCay in the Bahamas.
However, Royal Caribbean, which has 28 liners, says Perfect Day Mexico, which will be in the port of Costa Maya, in the state of Quintana Roo, will be ‘bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date’.
Particularly family-friendly, the development promises those disembarking their cruise for a day the tallest water park tower in the Americas, alongside the world’s longest lazy river, while is dotted with ‘float-up bars’ along it.
Passengers can buy day passes to access the Royal Beach Club, which has 12 places to dine, all inspired by local Mexican cuisine, plus 24 bars, souvenir shops, art installations and Mariachi performances.
There’ll also be easy cultural excursions to nearby tourist sights on the Yucatan Peninsula, including the Mayan ruins.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean said: ‘We’re bringing our demonstrated history of unparalleled service and revolutionary innovation – everything our vacationers know and love – into our collection of destinations that offer more locally inspired perfect days and beachfront getaways.’
A glimpse at what Royal Caribbean’s brand new day resort, Perfect Day Mexico, might look like when it opens in 2027 – the resort will see the biggest ever version of Splashwater Bay, the brand’s waterpark
Royal Caribbean, which has 28 liners, says Perfect Day Mexico will be ‘bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date’
He added: ‘Perfect Day Mexico is bigger and bolder than anything we have done to date.
‘This destination will be the ultimate vacation for families, and we cannot wait to welcome adventurers from around the world to Mexico for an experience only Royal Caribbean can provide.’
Younger guests will love the Bubble Up experience at the Splashwater Bay water park, which is a giant water inflatable filled with water jets.
Passengers sailing out of US destinations: Galveston, New Orleans and all Florida homeports, will be able to book the day passes later this year.
This week, a cruise guest shared on Reddit a ‘marvellous’ hack for getting off liners without having to queue.
The passenger ‘OhiobornCAraised’ says: ‘Wife and I have cruised several times. However, up until today, we have always had our luggage taken off the ship by cruise staff.’
They then explain that on their most recent cruise they were instead able to pack everything they needed ‘into two large suitcases and two backpacks’.
The holidaymaker reveals that they then managed to be ‘off the ship by 8am’, adding ‘getting through immigration and the cruise terminal was so smooth!
‘No long lines, no big crowds to work through. It was marvellous. 10/10 experience and hope to be able to do it more in the future.’
Usually cruise passengers leave their luggage outside their cabin door and staff pick it up and drop it off at the cruise terminal.
Passengers on Western Caribbean itineraries will be able to book day passes at the resort from the autumn
The resort will incorporate the world’s tallest waterpark tower – alongside the world’s biggest tequila bottle, says the brand
Holidaymakers then collect their luggage once they’ve been through the disembarkation process.
However, the process can be fairly slow with passengers often having to join queues to collect their belongings.
Several cruise passengers agreed that carrying their own luggage had allowed them to disembark much more quickly.
‘NoShameMallPretzels’ writes: ‘Our family rule is you have to be able to carry your own bags, so we do this almost every cruise. It’s amazing.’
Usually cruise passengers leave their luggage outside their cabin door and staff pick it up and drop it off at the cruise terminal
And another guest says that carrying their own luggage makes disembarkation day much ‘easier’.
However, not everyone is a fan of the hack with one person warning there’s a major catch to the ‘marvellous’ plan.
‘Rainyhawk’ warns: ‘We did that once and couldn’t get onto an elevator. They were always packed and it was too much luggage to carry down several flights of stairs. Took forever.’
But one passenger has shared another hack to avoid the last day elevator queue. They explain: ‘Either carry [luggage] down to the floor to exit, or take an elevator up to the top as it’s easy to get elevators going up and then ride from the top down.’
