Carnival Cruise Line officially opened the doors to Celebration Key, its beautiful new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, this weekend. The Carnival Vista was the first ship to make an official visit to the world's newest cruise port on Saturday, and nearly 5,000 guests experienced all the fun Celebration Key has to offer: from the Suncastle, the world's tallest sandcastle, to the world's largest swing set, a swim-up bar, and the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy; Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein; Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal; and Carnival VistaPaolo Severini turned the key that “opened” the doors of the iconic 10-story Suncastle, which houses two thrilling water racing slides.
In addition, they cut the ribbon to inaugurate Lokono Cove, the shopping village; O'Neal threw the first shot on the basketball court; and they toasted with champagne at the Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only retreat.
“The opening of this new, exclusive destination marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we launch the first phase of our initial $600 million investment, with much more to come. Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful location; it’s a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive array of new experiences and offerings,” said Duffy. “We’ve created the ultimate beach day for our guests, whether they’re looking for fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”
Celebration Key has five main areas to explore:
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Paradise Plaza – The welcome point to the heart of Celebration Key, enlivened with live music.
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Starfish Lagoon – A fun-filled area for families, featuring one of the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean (275,000 square feet). It also includes a children's water play area, sports courts, and the Suncastle Water Slide with its 350 feet of twists and turns. The beach offers lounge chairs and cabanas for those looking to relax, as well as casual dining options like Captain's Galley Food Hall, Gill's Grill Seafood, and Snack Shacks, and drinks at the Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar.
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Calypso Lagoon – An adults-only area featuring a lagoon of the same size (275,000 square feet), an adults-only DJ Island , and the world's largest swim-up bar with 166 seats in the water. There's also the Sunshine Swings Bar with nearly 50 swings for enjoying cocktails while staying cool. Other dining options include Surf N' Sauce BBQ & Brew , Calypso Food Trucks , and Snack Shacks .
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Pearl Cove Beach Club – The largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination, featuring an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool facing a white-sand beach, sun loungers, cabanas, and supervillas. It also offers premium dining options at the Pearl Cove Restaurant and Pearl Cove Bar, plus a swim-up bar.
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Lokono Cove – The island's shopping village, with unique shops showcasing Bahamian culture through vibrant murals, local art, and handcrafted products.
Celebration Key boasts over 30 dining and beverage options to suit every taste, along with a variety of live entertainment, including Junkanoo parades, roving rake-and-scrape musicians, DJs, and all-day beach games. For private relaxation, there is a wide range of cabanas, Balinese beds, and villas. Sports courts, water activities, and excursions are also available for those seeking action and adventure. Guests who simply want a perfect beach day can enjoy over a mile of white-sand beach facing the beautiful Bahamian sea.
Celebration Key is expected to receive more than two million visitors annually in its initial phase. By 2028, that number is projected to reach four million. The economic impact on Grand Bahama will be significant, with hundreds of permanent jobs created by daily operations. The destination boasts a cruise ship pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival's largest ships simultaneously. An expansion of the pier to accommodate two additional ships is already under construction.
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