It’s official. Carnival Cruise Line cut the ribbon on its long-awaited, newest, exclusive destination — Celebration Key — Saturday on Grand Bahama island.
Guests arriving from Carnival Vista, along with Carnival executives and media, were greeted by cheering locals waving Bahamian flags, a Bahamas marching band and a fireworks display for the debut of the $600 million beachfront complex.
“Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy in their press release. “Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it’s a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings. We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”
Joining Duffy was Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein and the cruise line’s Chief Fun Officer, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Ms. Duffy told All Things cruise that “there’s been a dream to have an exclusive destination in the Bahamas other than Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamas island owned by Carnival used by Carnival and their sister brand, Holland America) — one where we would be able to bring our biggest ships.”
Currently, Celebration Key can accommodate two ships, and work is under way to expand that to four. Ms. Duffy said a total of 20 Carnival ships from 10 home ports will be visiting Celebration Key, with ships docked here almost every day of the year, with “one day set aside for maintenance.”
Celebration Key is divided into five distinct areas, and includes a 10-story sandcastle, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons, the “world’s largest swim-up bar” and 30 food and beverage venues. Featured areas are:
Paradise Plaza: Where guests are welcomed with live music.
Starfish Lagoon: Featuring a 275,000 square-foot lagoon, sports courts, the Suncastle’s body slides and Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar.
Calypso Lagoon: Adult-friendly area with a second, 275,000-square-foot lagoon, dedicated area for adults only, a DJ Island and swim-up bar with 166 in-water seats.
Pearl Cove Beach Club: – The “largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination,” it features an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, white sand beach and cabanas.
Lokono Cove: Retail shopping showcasing Bahamian culture with local art and handmade goods.
Carnival notes that “The economic impact for Grand Bahama is substantial, with hundreds of long-term jobs created by daily operations.” They estimate Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million guests a year to Grand Bahama, with four million expected by 2028.
PHOTOS
- Photo Courtesy of Carnival: Carnival President Christine Duffy cuts the ribbon, joined by Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal and Carnival CEO Josh Weinstei
Photos by Gerry Barker:
- Entrance to Celebration Key
- Guests head into the 10-story Suncastle (cover photo)
- Pearl Cove beach, with Carnival Vista docked in the background
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