Carnival Corporation will expand the pier to double arrival capacity at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line scheduled to open on Grand Bahama Island in the summer of 2025.
In addition to the two berths scheduled for completion in 2025, the expansion will add two more, and the four will be able to handle up to Carnival's largest Excel-class ships when completed in 2026.
Overall, the expanded cruise pier will accommodate up to four Excel-class ships simultaneously and is projected to welcome nearly 4 million guests annually to Celebration Key by 2028.
“In keeping with our plans for Grand Bahama Island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite large, and we are already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“The construction of the second pier now allows us to implement growth plans and build itineraries with certainty, and signals to the local community how important this development is to Carnival Cruise Line and the future of the island.”.
“Carnival Corporation’s dedication to the growth of our island is commendable and inspiring: we applaud their expanded investment in Celebration Key on Grand Bahama and welcome the imminent exponential boost to Grand Bahama’s economy ,” said Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey MP .
“We are on the cusp of an exciting new chapter for Grand Bahama, with Carnival Corporation’s expansion opening the door to unprecedented possibilities for our residents. Let us collectively prepare for this transformative journey, as the resulting opportunities are sure to bring a wave of prosperity that will touch every corner of our beloved island.”.
Celebration Key
Designed specifically for Carnival Cruise Line guests with occupancy growth in mind, the Celebration Key footprint has been planned with ample space and abundant attractions to accommodate the additional guests expected in 2027.
Featuring a mile-long white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, Celebration Key will include five distinct areas, known as portals, that will provide endless ways for guests to have fun and relax.
With a focus on curating a distinctly Bahamian food, shopping, and entertainment scene, Carnival Corporation is working closely with Bahamian officials and community leaders to recruit local businesses, tour operators, construction workers, and entrepreneurs for the many business and employment opportunities on Celebration Key.
Significant economic impact for the Bahamas
The initial phase of the project, including the two original moorings, is projected to help generate more than 700 permanent jobs in the community, including approximately 300 Bahamians hired directly by Carnival Corporation.
Once the two additional moorings are delivered, Celebration Key is expected to bring up to 4 million guests per year to the Grand Bahama destination by 2028.
According to an economic impact study by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, the project will boost substantial growth in employment, gross domestic product (GDP) and government revenues in the Bahamas over the next two decades.
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