By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Royal Caribbean’s Paradise Island beach club is now its doors to Bahamians as it unveils discounted access for local residents ahead of the Easter holiday period.
Troy Smith, the Royal Beach Club’s general manager, said the move marks a key step in integrating the cruise-driven attraction into the domestic tourism economy following three months of operations that have so far catered primarily to international visitors.
He said the response from guests since the soft opening has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve been getting some rave, rave reviews. All of our guests are super excited- they really love the destination,” said Mr Smith. “I’m really proud that we’re able to open it up to the Bahamian public.”
Mr Smith added that locals can expect significantly reduced pricing. “Once you see the rates on our website, you’re going to be extremely excited - you won’t believe how affordable it’s going to be,” he said.
The Beach Club features multiple themed areas designed to appeal to a range of guests, including a family-focused zone, a high-energy Party Cove anchored by what operators describe as the world’s largest swim-up bar, and a more relaxed section.
“We have three neighborhoods… so as you move through the island, you can really understand the variety of experiences available,” Mr Smith said.
Captain Cameron Gibson, director of business integration, said the launch of local ticket sales is tied to a broader strategy to deepen Bahamian participation in the project.
“The group’s purpose in The Bahamas includes true local partnerships - with Bahamian businesses, partners and vendors - to ensure what we’ve built is integrated into the local economic community,” said Mr Gibson.
He added that ticketing for Bahamians is being facilitated through a local platform, MobileAssist, to ensure familiarity and ease of use. “The idea is to make the system seamless, practical and familiar for our guests,” Mr Gibson said.
Tickets can be accessed through the beach club’s website and social media platforms, with booking links and QR codes available online. Mr Gibson said the timing of the roll-out was deliberate, aligning with increased domestic travel during the upcoming Easter holidays.
“With the holiday season approaching, we wanted guests to have the opportunity to enjoy the beach club over Easter, so we’re very proud of the timing,” he said.