Five portals will welcome cruise guests at Celebration Key, a slice of paradise offering activities, dining options, beach relaxation and a shopping village

Carnival Cruise Line’s first private destination, Celebration Key, will be opening this summer. It is located on the south side of Grand Bahama Island and designed exclusively for Carnival guests.

Since the groundbreaking ceremony in May of 2022, the company has been working on the design, engineering and construction of the $200 million project. The Carnival Vista will make the inaugural call at Celebration Key on July 19.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said, ‘No one does fun like Carnival, and we are designing Celebration Key and its five portals with endless ways for our guests to unlock their own kind of fun in this incredible paradise that also celebrates the beauty of Grand Bahama.”

Celebration Key will feature the biggest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean and have a white sand beach. Food and beverage options will include four full-service restaurants, nine food trucks, a food hall, five snack shacks, a pair of counter-service kiosks and a dozen bars.

Calypso Lagoon, an adults-only retreat

Celebration Key’s Five Portals

Celebration Key’s five enticing areas, or portals, will include:

  • Paradise Plaza, the first portal guests will encounter and gateway to other areas
  • Starfish Lagoon – family-friendly, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, including areas for teens and kids and a freshwater lagoon
  • Calypso Lagoon, an adults-only portal
  • Lokono Cove, an artisan retail village with duty-free shops
  • Pearl Cove Beach Club, a private portal offering a premium adults-only area

Paradise Plaza – Welcome Portal

Near Paradise Plaza, the entry point to Celebration Key, is the Suncastle, a 10- story-tall sandcastle structure and the destination’s centerpiece. In the Paradise Plaza area, guests can enjoy live music, coffees and desserts at Suncastle Grounds Coffee, and ice cream at Yumshine Scoops.

Starfish Lagoon – Family-Friendly Portal

Starfish Lagoon features a variety of activities for guests of all ages as well as diverse dining options. Activities include the pink Flash Flamingo and the blue Mach Marlin III, along with 350-plus-foot waterslides that race down from the Suncastle.

Starfish Lagoon, a family-friendly playground at Celebration Key

Just for toddlers is Guppy Grotto. It has a coral reef-themed splash pad and a shallow wading pool, which is near an ice cream shop. The Game Pavilion encompasses football, ping pong and cornhole, while the Sports Court features pickleball, basketball and volleyball. Plus there are a dozen “AquaBanas,” which are floating private cabanas for family rental and serviced by their own bar.

As far as dining options, Starfish Lagoon is the home of Gill’s Grill, a full-service restaurant and bar that highlights Caribbean seafood baskets, regional fish, lobster, shrimp and crab, plus chicken dishes, burgers and kids’ meals. Captain’s Galley Food Hall offers burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken and pizza along with Mediterranean bowls, burritos and tacos.

The Parrotfish Swim Up Bar showcases in-water as well as out-of-water seating for adults looking to enjoy a tropical cocktail.

Calypso Lagoon – Adult-Friendly Portal

West of Paradise Plaza, Calypso Lagoon is designed for those who are seeking a lively, social atmosphere. There’s a sports court, and for those who are looking for a more laid-back experience, guests can also enjoy a huge freshwater lagoon, daybeds, loungers and cabanas. A bar with nearly 50 swings lets adults dip their toes in the water as they sip Bahamian as well as classic poolside cocktails. Additional bars, two full-service restaurants and casual snack shacks are also located at Calypso Lagoon.

Lokono Cove shopping village

Lokono Cove – Retail Portal

This artisan shopping village, surrounded by Bahamian murals, has duty-free stores and food and beverage offerings. “Lokono” means ‘the people’ and is derived from the Lucayans, who were among the first to call Grand Bahama home.

Pearl Cove Beach Club – Adults-Only Private Club Portal

Pearl Cove Beach Club, a private club portal, offers adults a premium experience with elevated amenities. It includes an infinity pool with scenic views, an expansive sun-shelf and a swim-up bar. The club’s dedicated beach features loungers among the palm trees, and the water loungers have pink-striped sun umbrellas. A DJ will be playing music, and there is an indoor and outdoor lounge in addition to a bar,

The Pearl Cove Beach Restaurant has an elevated menu. Purchases are broken down into three different tiers:

  • Club access and a welcome drink
  • Club access with open bar, with a maximum of 10 beverages
  • Club access, all-inclusive open bar with a maximum of 10 drinks, and lunch at the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant

More Details on Celebration Key

Celebration Key will be able to dock two Carnival ships at one time. Carnival is working on Phase 2 expansion plans.

With Carnival Cruise Line sailings now open for bookings into 2027, Celebration Key is a featured destination on hundreds of itineraries on 20 ships sailing from 10 U.S. homeports.

With its five distinct portals, Celebration Key is definitely a beautiful option to experience and one to think about when booking your next group cruise.

Reimagine your adventure at sea and set sail for unrivaled experiences —start charting your path with our Cruise Guide.

By Cindy Bertram