Carnival Cruise Opens $600M Celebration Key in the Bahamas

Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened its new $600 million private destination, Celebration Key, on Grand Bahama Island. The highly anticipated launch welcomed its first guests on July 20, as the Carnival Vista arrived with nearly 5,000 passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, and “Chief Fun Officer” Shaquille O’Neal led the grand opening ceremony. Duffy called the debut a milestone more than 25 years in the making, emphasizing Carnival’s deepening commitment to the Bahamas.

Celebration Key features Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon, two massive swimming areas totaling 275,000 square feet, as well as the 10-story Suncastle, home to towering water slides and sweeping ocean views. Guests can explore four themed areas: Starfish Lagoon, Calypso Lagoon, Lokono Cove shopping village, and Pearl Cove Beach Club, a luxury adults-only retreat.

Carnival has hired over 1,200 Bahamians and partnered with more than 25 local businesses to operate the destination. The cruise line expects 20 ships from 10 U.S. homeports to visit Celebration Key, hosting 2 million guests in 2025 and up to 4 million by 2028.

The 68-acre site will eventually expand by an additional 154 acres, with 110 acres preserved as wetlands. The port currently accommodates two large ships, with future plans for expansion.

From family-friendly splash pads and swim-up bars to floating villas and cultural performances, Celebration Key sets a new standard for private cruise destinations in the Caribbean.

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