Carnival Opens $600M Celebration Key in The Bahamas

Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened Celebration Key, a $600 million private destination on Grand Bahama, welcoming nearly 5,000 guests aboard Carnival Vista for its inaugural visit. Billed as a “next-generation beach escape”, the sprawling port introduces five themed zones, two of the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons, and a 10-story “Suncastle” — the tallest sandcastle in the world.

 

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, and Captain Paolo Severini marked the opening by unveiling Celebration Key’s signature attractions, cutting the ribbon for Lokono Cove retail village, and toasting the debut at Pearl Cove Beach Club, the destination’s premier adults-only retreat.

What Guests Can Expect at Celebration Key

The new port is designed to be a “perfect beach day” destination, offering something for every type of traveler:

• Paradise Plaza: A vibrant welcome hub with live Bahamian music.

• Starfish Lagoon: A family-friendly zone with a 275,000-square-foot lagoon, splash pad, sports courts, winding body slides, casual dining, and a swim-up bar.

• Calypso Lagoon: An adult-focused retreat with a second 275,000-square-foot lagoon, a DJ Island, and the world’s largest swim-up bar with 166 in-water seats.

• Pearl Cove Beach Club: The largest adults-only cruise retreat, featuring an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, luxury cabanas, supervillas, and upscale dining.

• Lokono Cove: A retail and cultural village with Bahamian art, murals, and locally crafted goods.

Across the destination, guests will find over 30 food and drink venues, live entertainment including Junkanoo parades, and more than a mile of pristine beach along Grand Bahama’s coastline.

Celebration Key is expected to host over two million guests annually at launch, with capacity projected to double to four million by 2028 as pier expansions allow up to four of Carnival’s largest ships to dock simultaneously. The development is poised to significantly boost the island’s economy, creating hundreds of permanent jobs and establishing Grand Bahama as a premier hub for Caribbean cruise tourism.