Carnival Officially Opens Celebration Key in Grand Bahama
After years of development, Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key, is officially open. On July 19, Carnival Vista made the first call to the destination, marking the grand opening of Carnival Cruise Line’s highly anticipated new port in Grand Bahama. This private destination (not a private island) was built exclusively for Carnival guests and represents the first phase of a $600 million investment into the region.
A New Caribbean Destination
Located on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, Celebration Key was designed to accommodate many guests. The cruise pier can initially support two of Carnival’s largest ships, with an expansion already underway to allow for two more. Carnival expects the destination to welcome over two million passengers annually, with projections reaching four million by 2028.
During the opening ceremony, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, and brand ambassador Shaquille O’Neal symbolically “unlocked” the towering 10-story Suncastle, a central feature of the port. The structure houses two racing waterslides and overlooks the surrounding attractions. Note that access to this area comes at an additional cost.
Five Zones, Each with a Different Vibe
Rather than a single beach or port area, Celebration Key is divided into five distinct zones (which Carnival somewhat confusingly refers to as “portals”). Each offers a different experience tailored to a range of guest preferences.
Paradise Plaza
The entry point to the destination, Paradise Plaza welcomes guests with live music and sets the tone for the day ahead.
Starfish Lagoon
This family-focused zone features one of the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons, spanning 275,000 square feet. It includes a splash pad, sports courts, and the body slides that twist down from the Suncastle.
Calypso Lagoon
A similarly sized lagoon serves as the centerpiece of Calypso Lagoon, a more adult-oriented area. Here, guests can enjoy DJ Island, which includes what Carnival calls the world’s largest swim-up bar, with 166 in-water seats. The Sunshine Swings bar, featuring nearly 50 swings, offers another unique spot to sip cocktails.
Pearl Cove Beach Club
For an adults-only escape, Pearl Cove offers a private beach club with an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, elevated dining and drink options, and a selection of cabanas and villas. It’s billed as the largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination.
Lokono Cove
Located near the main entrance, Lokono Cove is the island’s shopping village. It showcases local Bahamian art, handmade goods, and more traditional souvenirs.
Food and Drink Options at Celebration Key
Celebration Key features 30 different food and beverage venues, but they’ll cost you.
As we’ve previously reported, Carnival only includes one complimentary meal per guest at the destination. Additional snacks or food items come at an extra charge. Also important: Carnival’s Cheers drink package and Bottomless Bubbles soda program do not extend to Celebration Key. That’s a stark contrast to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, where both food and drink packages can be used throughout the island.
First Reactions Are Mostly Positive
So far, guest feedback on Celebration Key has been mostly positive. Only about 5,000 visitors have experienced the destination so far. This group includes media, travel agents, and dedicated Carnival fans who paid to be on the inaugural sailing. (We were not invited to the media preview.)
The Pool Is Impressive
The sheer scale of the facility, especially the massive lagoon pools, has impressed many. One pool alone, Starfish Lagoon, can hold up to 4,604 guests according to signage.
Guests have noted that rows of complimentary chairs and umbrellas are available on the beach and around the lagoon areas.
However, the pool is not heated, which may be an issue for sailings in January and February. Considering the pool is one of the main features of the destination, this could prove to be a short-sighted decision.
Guests are allowed to bring their own pool floats. Children wearing swim diapers are permitted in the Starfish Lagoon pool. In an interview, Carnival President Christine Duffy said swim diapers would be provided free of charge, but we have not seen that confirmed in any official materials.
Stark Landscape
Early photos show a landscape that feels stark and unfinished. Most of the vegetation was planted recently, so the area currently looks like a desert and sparse than tropical. As the landscaping matures, the appearance should hopefully improve to be more lush.
Cabanas and Waterslide Passes Are Sold Out
One of the most common complaints from this sailing, and others already on the schedule, is that cabanas and waterslide passes are completely sold out. Cabanas are limited in number, and unfortunately, there is not much Carnival can do to increase availability right now.
For the Racer slide, additional passes may be offered in the future once Carnival evaluates the line lengths and overall usage. Guests must be at least 40 inches tall and under 300 pounds to ride the slides.
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