/ A few weeks ago Carnival Cruise Line opened Celebration Key, its new exclusive destination in the Bahamas /

Cruise line private islands rate as some of the top destinations for travelers sailing the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the Bahamas and Panama Canal itineraries. Guests love the opportunity to come ashore and relax on the beach or in a private cabana with butler service, explore the natural beauty of the island, partake in theme park thrills such as adrenaline-pumping waterslides or shop for locally made goods.

Celebration Key is the most recent of these havens: this exclusive destination on the south side of Grand Bahama island, purpose-built for Carnival Cruise Line guests, opened last July 19.

Carnival Vista was the first ship to visit this 26ha island escape, with nearly 5,000 guests experiencing all its fun offering, designed with both families and adults in mind.

“Opening this new exclusive destination marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial 600-million-dollar investment, with more to come,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “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,” she said. “We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”

There are 5 areas to explore, the first being Paradise Plaza serving as the island’s entry point where guests are welcomed inside Celebration Key with live music.

Families will love Starfish Lagoon, a fun-filled area that features one of the 2 largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, with over 25,000 square meters. Kids and parents will also enjoy a splash pad with a shallow pool, sports courts and the unique, 10-story Suncastle, the world’s tallest sandcastle, from which 2 body slides wind through over 105m of turns and drops. 

The third themed zone is Calypso Lagoon, an area featuring an equally large, 25,000-square-meter lagoon as well as a dedicated area for adults only, a DJ Island, where guests can enjoy music and drinks at the world’s largest swim-up bar with 166 in-water seats. Nearby is also the Sunshine Swings Bar with nearly 50 swings offering a fun spot to enjoy cocktails while staying cool, as well as food trucks and other dining and drinking options. 

Still only for adults is Pearl Cove Beach Club, a retreat with an over 1,000-square-meter infinity pool overlooking a white sand beach, alongside loungers, cabanas and supervillas. 

Lastly, the island’s retail village, called Lokono Cove, offers unique shopping and showcases authentic Bahamian culture through vibrant murals and local art, as well as handmade goods.

Celebration Key will initially bring more than 2 million guests a year to Grand Bahama. By 2028, this number is expected to grow to 4 million. The destination features a cruise pier capable of accommodating 2 of Carnival’s largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate 2 additional ships. 

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry September 2025, page 32

Photos Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

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