Celebration Key, the exclusive destination of Carnival Cruise Line on the island of Grand Bahama, celebrated its first anniversary on July 19 after welcoming 2.4 million visitors since its opening on July 19, 2025.
Designed to showcase the natural beauty of Grand Bahama and Bahamian culture, Celebration Key offers passengers the opportunity to connect with the essence of the island while enjoying Carnival’s signature festive atmosphere. This first year of operation has been marked by memorable experiences for visitors, close collaboration with the local community, and a significant contribution to Grand Bahama’s economic development.
In just twelve months, Celebration Key has posted figures that reflect the destination's success:
- More than 500,000 visitors took a ride down its iconic water slides.
- More than 400,000 mini donuts were served by Mini Donut King, one of the popular Bahamian-owned food stands.
- Guests enjoyed more than 100,000 piña coladas during their stay on the island.
- Hundreds of Junkanoo parades—the traditional musical and cultural celebration of the Bahamas—filled the destination with color, rhythm, and energy.
In addition, Celebration Key made history by becoming the world’s first cruise destination to earn “Sensory Inclusive” certification from KultureCity, thereby reinforcing Carnival’s commitment to accessibility and creating inclusive experiences for all travelers.
“We’ve created something truly special at Celebration Key,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.“Our goal has always been to provide our guests with unforgettable memories, and during this first year, the destination has fulfilled that mission for more than two million people. We’re proud to be a part of those moments and, at the same time, to make a real and lasting impact on the local community. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand this offering with new experiences for our guests and strengthen our commitment to Grand Bahama and its residents.”
Beyond the tourist experience, Celebration Key has established itself as a major economic driver for the island. The resort generates approximately 1,000 local jobs year-round and continues to prioritize collaboration with Bahamian entrepreneurs and businesses.
Currently, more than 80% of the destination's restaurants and retail establishments are locally owned, including Bahama Mama Seafood Pit, Flipping Fritters, and Mini Donut King.
The anniversary was celebrated with a day of festivities for passengers visiting Celebration Key aboard the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom. Activities included a special birthday-themed Junkanoo performance, interactive treasure hunts, and a giant birthday cake set up at the entrance to the resort to welcome visitors. All all of this reflected the energy, fun, and Bahamian spirit that have defined the destination’s first year.
The celebration also coincided with the expansion of the “Less Left Over” program—Carnival Corporation’s initiative aimed at reducing food waste—to the Bahamas. On this occasion, the Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest made their first donation of prepared, unserved meals in the country, distributing them to community organizations in Grand Bahama.
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