Celebration Key Photos, Info, Portals, Expansion & Map - Exclusive Carnival Destination Grand Bahama Island
Celebration Key Announcement © Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is set to introduce a new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, located on Grand Bahama Island in Summer 2025. This development is designed to enhance the cruise experience for Carnival guests, offering a variety of attractions and amenities across distinct areas of the island. Here's an in-depth look at what Celebration Key has to offer, alongside practical information for future visitors.
Celebration Key Rendering © Carnival Cruise Line
Areas of Celebration Key
Celebration Key is evolving into a more dynamic and engaging destination, now divided into several distinct portals that cater to various guest experiences. From family fun to adult relaxation, shopping, and private club exclusivity, the island's layout is meticulously planned to ensure guests can easily navigate between these enriched experiences, maximizing enjoyment and convenience during their visit.
Celebration Key Paradise Plaza Rendering © Carnival Cruise Line
Paradise Plaza at Celebration Key
Paradise Plaza, just a short walk from the ship, welcomes guests with a brightly colored promenade and a radiant sun-shaped arch, ideal for capturing memories in photos. Immersed in the destination's beauty, visitors are greeted by the sound of live music and the impressive sight of the 10-story-high Suncastle, setting the tone for the paradise that awaits. With wayfinding and destination information readily available, guests can easily decide how to spend their day, whether it's relaxing in a cabana, engaging in water sports, exploring shore excursions, or simply enjoying the stunning ocean views from a mile-long pristine beach. A Bahamian-themed fountain and an ice cream shop enhance the welcoming atmosphere, offering a taste of the local culture right from the start.
Celebration Key Calypso Lagoon Rendering © Carnival Cruise Line
Calypso Lagoon at Celebration Key
Adjacent to Paradise Plaza, Calypso Lagoon emerges as a vibrant and lively portal designed specifically for adults seeking a social atmosphere. Boasting the title of the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean, this area invites guests to indulge in athletic activities on the sports court or unwind in the expansive lagoon, relaxing on loungers, daybeds, or in cabanas. A distinctive bar with nearly 50 swings allows guests to enjoy their drinks with their toes in the water, overlooking stunning lagoon views. Additional bars around Calypso Lagoon ensure refreshments are always at hand. Two full-service restaurants and a variety of casual snack shacks throughout the area offer ample dining options. The adjacent Bahamian beach serves as the perfect setting for lounging on the sand, swimming in the Caribbean, or participating in fun beach activities. A designated adults-only section of Calypso Lagoon and the beach features a large swim-up bar with a DJ, Bahamian food trucks, and comfortable beach furnishings.
Family-Friendly Portal at Celebration Key
This area is tailored towards families and continues to offer the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean, complete with waterslides, a splash pad, and sports courts. Guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities and relaxation options, including beach loungers and cabana rentals, alongside diverse dining choices suitable for both kids and adults.
Celebration Key Private Club Beach Rendering © Carnival Cruise Line
Private Club Portal at Celebration Key
The exclusive adult-only area of the Private Club Portal remains a haven for those seeking premium amenities like an infinity pool, access to pristine white sand beaches, and upscale dining options, catering to guests desiring a more secluded and luxurious experience.
Retail Portal at Celebration Key
Echoing the vibrant culture of the Bahamas, the Retail Portal continues to feature shops selling local artisanal goods and duty-free items, along with dining outlets that offer authentic Bahamian flavors, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the island's rich cultural heritage.
Future Expansions
Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans for further enhancements to Celebration Key, including the addition of a waterpark in a second phase of development, which will introduce new features beyond the five portals. Further details about the family-friendly portal, a private retreat, and the retail area will be shared in the coming months, promising an even more exciting and comprehensive guest experience.
Map of Celebration Key
Celebration Key Map © Carnival Cruise Line
When is Carnival Celebration Key Opening?
Celebration Key is scheduled to open in July 2025, welcoming guests to explore its varied attractions and amenities.
Where is Carnival Celebration Located?
Carnival Celebration Key is strategically situated on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, a location chosen for its stunning natural beauty and its convenience for cruise ship access. This exclusive destination is designed to provide Carnival guests with an unparalleled Bahamian experience, seamlessly blending the island's lush landscapes and serene beaches with the vibrant and fun-filled atmosphere that Carnival is known for.
Direct Access to Celebration Key via the Pier
A significant feature of Celebration Key is its state-of-the-art pier, specifically constructed to accommodate up to two of Carnival's Excel-class vessels simultaneously. This engineering feat ensures that guests can disembark directly onto the island, stepping from ship to shore with ease and starting their island adventure without delay. The pier's design not only prioritizes convenience and efficiency but also minimizes environmental impact, preserving the pristine condition of the surrounding marine and beach environments.
Enhanced Accessibility and Mobility at Celebration Key
The pier and the overall layout of Celebration Key are meticulously planned to enhance accessibility for all guests. Smooth pathways, clear signage, and accessible facilities throughout the island ensure that everyone, regardless of mobility level, can explore and enjoy all that Celebration Key has to offer. From the Welcome Portal to the most secluded beach cabanas, the island is designed with guest comfort and accessibility in mind.
Is Food Included at Celebration Key?
Dining options at Celebration Key will be part of the inclusive experience provided by Carnival, with various food and beverage options available across the island. More details will be released as we get closer to the opening of Celebration Key.
Celebration Key Sandcastle & Lagoon © Carnival Cruise Line
Which Carnival Ships Will Sail To Celebration Key?
The 12 Carnival ships scheduled to visit Celebration Key on various itineraries, sailing from eight homeports, are as follows:
From Miami:
Carnival Celebration will sail seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises starting July 20, 2025.
Carnival Conquest will embark on three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from July 18, 2025.
From Port Canaveral:
Mardi Gras is set for seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from July 19, 2025, a nine-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on October 30, 2025, and two 14-day Transatlantic voyages.
Carnival Freedom will offer four- and five-day Bahamas sailings starting July 19, 2025.
Carnival Glory will begin three- and four-day Bahamas sailings from July 21, 2025.
From Galveston:
Carnival Dream will provide eight-day Eastern Caribbean sailings from July 26, 2025.
Carnival Legend will feature Celebration Key on several 10-day Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises.
From New Orleans:
Carnival Liberty will sail seven- and eight-day Eastern Caribbean voyages from July 20, 2025.
From Baltimore:
Carnival Pride will embark on seven-day Bahamas sailings from July 20, 2025, and a 14-day Carnival Journeys Panama Canal cruise on January 11, 2026.
From Jacksonville:
Carnival Elation will offer four- and five-day Bahamas cruises starting July 21, 2025.
From Norfolk, Virginia:
Carnival Sunshine will sail six- and eight-day Bahamas cruises from October 18, 2025.
From Mobile, Alabama:
Carnival Spirit will begin six- and eight-day Bahamas cruises from November 2, 2025.
Celebration Key Expansion
Carnival Cruise Line, a subsidiary of the world's largest cruise company, has unveiled ambitious plans for a significant expansion of Celebration Key, with a $100 million investment into a pier extension. This expansion aims to double the destination's arrival capacity by the summer of 2026, enhancing its capability to welcome guests to Grand Bahama Island. Initially designed with two berths capable of accommodating Carnival's Excel-class ships by 2025, the extension will introduce two additional berths. Once completed, the expanded cruise pier will have the capacity to dock up to four Excel-class ships simultaneously. This expansion is not just about increasing the number of ships and guests that can be accommodated; it's a forward-thinking strategy to handle nearly 4 million guests annually by 2028, promising to elevate Celebration Key as a premier cruise destination.
Celebration Key Expansion © Carnival Cruise Line
How Many Ships Can Dock at Celebration Key?
With the planned pier extension at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line is setting a new benchmark for cruise destination capabilities. By 2026, the extended pier will feature four berths, all equipped to host Carnival's largest Excel-class ships. This development means that up to four of these colossal vessels can dock at Celebration Key simultaneously, significantly increasing the influx of visitors to the island. The expansion underscores Carnival's commitment to providing an unmatched Bahamian experience to a larger number of guests, with projections indicating the capacity to welcome nearly 4 million visitors annually by 2028. This increase in docking capacity is a clear signal of Carnival's vision for Celebration Key's role in the future of Caribbean cruising, ensuring ample space and amenities to cater to the growing number of guests seeking the unique experiences offered by the exclusive destination.
As more details emerge about Celebration Key, the anticipation among travelers and industry observers alike grows. The unique positioning of this exclusive Carnival Cruise Line destination, emphasizing both the natural beauty of Grand Bahama Island and tailored guest experiences, marks a significant development in the cruise industry. The commitment to accessibility, environmental considerations, and a diverse range of activities and dining options presents a compelling case for those looking to explore new cruise destinations. With the first cruises scheduled to visit in July 2025, the coming months are sure to offer more insights into how Celebration Key will stand out among private cruise ports. We will keep this article updated as more details are released.
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