On Saturday, government officials, community leaders and local residents of Grand Bahama received an exclusive preview of Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new destination. The special preview event showcased the fun Carnival guests will experience and took place in tandem with the embarkation of Carnival Vista, which will make the first official visit to Celebration Key for its July 19 grand opening.
During the preview event, attendees experienced the destination’s key features firsthand, including its centerpiece Suncastle and racing waterslides, as well as the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean. Local officials toured the five distinct portals that will offer guests diverse experiences, from next-level relaxation at the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club to ultra-fun family adventures at Starfish Lagoon. The destination is home to more than 30 food and beverage venues and a retail village that features the work of local artisans.
“Celebration Key is a beautiful destination that I know will be extremely popular with our guests, but it’s also a beautiful representation of the great partnership between Carnival and the people of Grand Bahama,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “This is the first major project to be completed on the island of Grand Bahama in 20 years or more, and we’re proud to be the cruise line to bring it to fruition.”
Here’s a preview:
Paradise Plaza
The Celebration Key Sun Portal, a radiant sun-shaped arch, serves as the entry point to Celebration Key and is a perfect photo-taking moment. Just beyond the Sun Portal is Paradise Plaza where wayfinding and destination information helps guests choose how they want to spend their day.
The Suncastle
The 10-story Suncastle, adorned with five massive conch shells, is the centerpiece Celebration Key’s five portals. Two water slides, each over 106 metres long, invite guests to friendly competition as they weave through and around the Suncastle in a speedy race with turns and flashes of light and colour culminating in a splashing photo finish.
Calypso Lagoon Aerial View
Calypso and Starfish Lagoons comprise the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, totalling over 25,500 sq. m. Calypso Lagoon offers fun for those looking for an adult-friendly place to cool off while Starfish Lagoon offers families endless ways to have fun in the sun.
Calypso Lagoon’s DJ Island and Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen Swim Up Bar
At Calypso Lagoon, the adults-only section features DJ Island where guests can groove to the tunes and grab a refreshment at Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen, serving Bahamian favourites and featuring the world’s largest swim up bar with 166 in-water seats.
Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa
Celebration Key’s Over-the-Lagoon Super Villas accommodate 10 guests with plenty of comfortable sofa and armchair seating under shade. Amenities include locking cabinets, dining table with eight chairs, mini fridge stocked with water and soft drinks, ceiling fans, hammocks, swing chairs, sun loungers, fresh fruit and snacks upon arrival as well as lunch delivery, along with a dedicated sun-shelf with water loungers and a water slide into the lagoon.
There are four Over-the-Lagoon Supervillas available for reservations – two over the adult-friendly Calypso Lagoon and two located over the Starfish Lagoon for families. In addition, there are two Beach Supervillas located at the family-friendly beach and two at the adults-only beach.
Pearl Cove Beach Club
Pearl Cove Beach Club is an exclusive retreat that offers a premium experience for guests 18 and older. A lush, secluded entry opens to views of the 1,000-sq.-m. private infinity pool with a large sun-shelf, water loungers and a swim-up bar. Pink-striped sun umbrellas atop comfortable sun loungers and elegant daybeds line the pool area, while a DJ plays tropical lounge music.
Just past the infinity pool is the dedicated, private beach with sun loungers, accompanied by beachside food and drink service. When looking for lunch or an afternoon snack, Pearl Cove Beach Club guests will find a well-appointed full-service restaurant with an elevated menu, bar and lounge with indoor and outdoor seating.
Reservations for Pearl Cove Beach Club include three options: club access plus a welcome drink; club access plus open bar (maximum of 10 drinks); club access, all inclusive (open bar (maximum of 10 drinks) and food from the Pearl Cove private restaurant).
AquaBanas
In the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon, AquaBanas (available for reservation) are comfortable and sturdy floating cabanas that promise fun for all ages and offer seating for eight people to relax around a table, with their feet in the water, under a shady canopy. Steps provide easy access to the freshwater lagoon.
Guppy Grotto Splash Pad
For toddlers and small children, the Guppy Grotto splash pad is a colourful coral-reef themed children’s water play area and shallow wade pool in Starfish Lagoon.
Opening ceremony
Celebration Key is part of Carnival’s Paradise Collection that also includes RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay; and Isla Tropicale, both of which will receive enhancements in 2026.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast on Carnival Cruise Line’s Facebook page beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 19. After its grand opening, the destination is set to welcome 20 Carnival ships from ten U.S. homeports. Celebration Key is expected to bring approximately two million guests to Grand Bahama in its first year of operation.
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