CruisingExcursions

A Look at Celebration Key’s Food Offerings

We’re a week and a half away from the debut of Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key. This port was built from the ground-up on Grand Bahama island exclusively for Carnival guests. With the big opening quickly approaching, Carnival has released the fast-casual/grab-and-go food option menus for the destination.

carnival celebration key sand castle

Is Food Included on Celebration Key?

Yes and no. At Celebration Key, each Carnival guest is entitled to one Island Eats meal. On the menus below, you’ll see a pink box highlighting which items are included in the Island Eats program. If you want more food or something that isn’t part of the Island Eats selection, you’ll have to pay. According to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, the cost is a “few dollars charge,” or guests can take a “ten minute walk back to the ship where all the Lido will be open.” You can use your Sail & Sign card to charge your cabin or pay with a credit card. Celebration Key is entirely cashless.

carnival celebration key food map

Casual Food Options on Celebration Key

These are the menus for some of the 14 grab-and-go or fast-casual dining options at Celebration Key.

Beachside Burgers

Calypso Chicken

Flippin Fritters

Fowl Play

Grand Bahama Taco

celebration key menu - grand bahama taco

Mini Donut King

Seaside Burgers and Dogs

Seaside Shack Subs & Tenders

Snack Shack

Streatery Sushiva

Unnamed Food Truck

The following menus were also provided but they don’t say which restaurant. The Mexican and Mediterranean version don’t show they’re in the Island Eats program, but that may be an oversight.

Our Take: Some Nice Options, but the Limits Sting

Carnival has clearly put thought into offering a wide variety of food options at Celebration Key, but limiting guests to just one meal per person stings. On Carnival’s other private destinations, Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay, guests enjoy unlimited buffets. Meanwhile, the biggest competitor, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, offers an abundance of complimentary food and snacks throughout the island, all included in the cruise fare. On top of that, Carnival does not allow its drink package to be used on the island, while Royal Caribbean extends both its drink and Wi-Fi packages to Perfect Day.

Carnival has stated in investor calls that guests are paying a premium for sailings that visit Celebration Key. So to see the experience feel more like a cash grab just rubs me the wrong way.

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Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 20 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.