Today is the official opening day for Royal Caribbean’s first-ever beach club, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, but the World’s Biggest Weekend won’t be there.

Because of high winds, Utopia of the Seas was unable to dock in Nassau on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The ship was scheduled to be in port from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but unfortunately, that was not possible for one of the largest cruise ships in the world.

While Utopia of the Seas does visit Nassau twice a week – every Tuesday and Saturday – safe weather is always the primary consideration, regardless of special events, holidays, or grand openings.

Guests onboard the 4-night sailing that left Port Canaveral on Monday, December 22, reported multiple announcements explaining the cancellation due to high winds.

Naturally, guests are disappointed to miss the port visit, but safety is always the primary consideration and it is up to the ship’s master to make the final determination as to whether or not a ship can safely visit a destination.

According to Windy, wind speeds in Nassau were reaching 22 miles per hour with even higher gusts when Utopia of the Seas would have been docking.

After careful consideration, it was determined to be too unsteady for the massive ship to safely maneuver into position and to maintain safe mooring.

Instead, the Oasis-class cruise ship will spend the day at sea, with extra activities added to the daily schedule for more fun and entertainment onboard. Guests can check the Royal Caribbean app for updates and new offerings.

Guests who had already purchased passes for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (and other shore tours in Nassau) will have those costs automatically refunded.

Other Ships Still Docked in Nassau

Five other cruise ships did successfully visit the capital of the Bahamas on Tuesday, December 23: Sky Princess, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Celebration, Disney Wish, and Radiance of the Seas.

While some of these ships are the largest in their respective fleets, they do not compare to the sheer mass and height of Utopia of the Seas.

Read Also: Utopia of the Seas Size Comparison – Facts and Stats

The Excel-class Carnival Celebration, for example, is 183,500 gross tons and 19 decks high, while Disney Wish is 144,000 gross tons and 15 decks.

Utopia of the Seas is 236,473 gross tons and 18 decks. This means Carnival Celebration may be a wee bit taller depending on where the ship’s waterline is in comparison to decks, but Utopia of the Seas is still 29% larger than Carnival Celebration and 64% larger than Disney Wish.

As stronger winds act upon a ship that size, the inertia of the vessel can be challenging to manage. It is far better to be safe than risk damage to the ship or dock or even broken mooring lines such as happened just two days ago with Celebrity Equinox.

Will the Royal Beach Club Still Open?

With the much smaller Radiance of the Seas still docked in Nassau, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island was able to welcome its first official guests, just from only one ship instead of two.

Royal Caribbean shared a fun video of the preparations for the opening on Monday, December 22, showcasing the vibrant colors and charisma of the new attraction, from beach-ready towels to chilled drinks to energetic dancers.

“We’re putting the final touches on paradise,” the caption said. “The crew is ready. The vibes are set. The ultimate beach day is almost here!”

It’s been 20 months since ground was broken on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. While some slight construction delays did cancel a special preview earlier this month, the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new destination was held on December 13.

Guests can purchase passes to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island as a shore tour option whenever they visit Nassau. The 17-acre resort features pools, beaches, restaurants, and exclusive amenities, including internet access and drink packages all as part of the pass price.

Royal Caribbean is currently developing additional beach clubs in Cozumel, Vanuatu, and Santorini.

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Misses Beach Club’s Big Day