Celebration Key Food Guide: What’s Free, What Costs Extra, and How the Island Eats Program Works
Celebration Key Announcement © Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival’s newest destination, Celebration Key, may look like the ultimate beach escape—but when it comes to food and beverage options, things work a little differently than they do onboard the ship. There’s been a lot of confusion online (even from Carnival’s own brand ambassador) about what’s included and how the meal credit system operates. After visiting ourselves, we’re here to share what’s actually true, based on direct experience.
From beach lounging and lagoon swimming to shopping and excursions, there’s plenty to enjoy at Celebration Key. But knowing how the dining system works ahead of time can save you from unexpected charges—and help you get the most out of your visit.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what to expect so you can head ashore prepared.
Click here to learn more about Celebration Key.
What Is Island Eats?
Island Eats is the name of the dining system at Celebration Key. Each guest gets one benefit per visit, which can be used in one of two ways:
One complimentary meal at a fast-casual venue
or25% off a single entrée at a full-service restaurant
To redeem it, just swipe your Sail & Sign card at the register. If you’re picking up food for others in your cabin, you can use each person’s benefit—just once per card, and only for people booked in your stateroom. Be careful not to swipe the wrong card, as it can’t be used again.
Celebration Key Dining Hours
Dining hours may vary depending on your ship’s schedule, so always check the Carnival Fun Times for the most accurate info. But generally, this is what you can expect:
Food trucks, snack shacks, food hall, and other casual spots:
11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Full-service restaurants (Gill’s Grill, Mingo’s, Surf N’ Sauce):
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant:
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
If your arrival or departure time is outside the usual window, hours may shift slightly. Planning ahead ensures you don’t miss your chance to eat while ashore.
Celebration Key Food Menus
There are two main types of dining venues at Celebration Key: fast casual and full-service. Each guest can use their Island Eats credit at one location—either for a complimentary fast casual meal or 25% off one entrée at a full-service restaurant.
Some food trucks use touchscreen kiosks where you’ll scan your Sail & Sign card to redeem your credit or pay out of pocket.
Starfish Lagoon
Snack Shack
A grab-and-go stand offering salads and lighter items like fruit, perfect for a quick bite between activities. Snack Shack menu
Food Trucks
Streatery Sushiva
Offers a creative lineup of fusion sushi rolls, egg rolls, and desserts with island-inspired flavors. Streatery Sushiva menu
Grand Bahama Taco Co
Taco and quesadilla stand serving jerk chicken, steak, fish, and cheese options with a Caribbean twist. Grand Bahama Taco Co menu
Mini Donut King
A fun dessert truck serving mini donuts in classic and specialty flavors, along with shaved ice in tropical varieties. Mini Donut King menu
Seaside Shack Subs & Tenders
Serves hot subs, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and salads with a side of fries or dessert. Seaside Shack Subs & Tenders menu
Captain’s Galley Food Hall
Burgers & More
Simple burger stand with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, Caesar salads, and fries. Comes with a cookie. Burgers & More menu
Chicken & More
Variety of chicken sandwiches and tenders, with onion rings and fries. Comes with a cookie. Chicken & More menu
Pizzas
Choose margherita, veggie, mushroom, or pepperoni personal pizzas. Pizzas menu
Tacos & Burrito Bowls
Build your own taco or burrito bowl with a choice of protein, rice, toppings, and sauces. Tacos & Burrito Bowls menu
Mediterranean Flavors
Build-your-own bowls with a choice of base, protein, toppings, and dressings like tzatziki or garlic sauce. Mediterranean Flavors menu
Calypso Lagoon
Snack Shack
Same menu and setup as the Starfish Lagoon location. Snack Shack menu
Food Trucks
Fowl Play
A fried wings-focused eatery offering saucy wings or boneless bites, along with loaded fries, nachos, and drinks. Fowl Play menu
Seaside Burgers & Dogs
Quick-service spot with hot dogs, burgers, Caesar salad, and kid-friendly sides like fries, cookies, and popsicles. Seaside Burgers & Dogs menu
Calypso Chicken Co
Focused on fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, tenders, cheesesteaks, and loaded salads with a side of fries or frozen treats. Calypso Chicken Co menu
Flippin Fritters
A specialty truck offering savory and sweet Caribbean-style fritters, sweet potato fries, and dipping sauces. Flippin Fritters menu
Beachside Burgers and More
A casual walk-up spot serving burgers, tenders, fries, salads, and soft drinks with simple, classic options. Beachside Burgers and More menu
Full-Service Restaurants
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, you can use your Island Eats credit for 25% off one entrée. Appetizers, desserts, and any additional food will be charged at full price.
Gill’s Grill
A full-service seafood restaurant featuring grilled fish, crab legs, shrimp, and Caribbean-inspired mains and desserts. Gill’s Grill menu
Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen
Tropical fusion fare including burgers, seafood, pasta, salads, and bold island flavors in a relaxed sit-down setting. Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen menu
Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews
Barbecue-focused restaurant offering ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked meats, and classic BBQ sides and sauces. Surf N’ Sauce BBq & Brews menu
What’s Not Included in Island Eats
Some spots aren’t covered by the Island Eats benefit. If you want food or drinks here, you’ll need to pay the full price, no matter what:
Yumshine Scoops (Paradise Plaza)
Suncastle Grounds Coffee (Lokono Cove)
What Happens After You Use Your Island Eats Credit?
Once you’ve used your Island Eats credit, that’s it for the day. Any additional meals from any venue will be charged at full price. You can’t swipe again for another free meal or get another discount.
That said, you can always walk back to the ship, grab lunch onboard, and come back out to the island if you don’t want to spend extra.
Pearl Cove Beach Club: What’s Included
The only place where food and drinks are truly included all day is Pearl Cove Beach Club, but only if you’ve purchased the right package.
Open Bar pass – Includes drinks (limit 10 alcoholic beverages)
All-Inclusive pass – Includes open bar and one free meal at the Pearl Cove restaurant
When you arrive, you’ll get a wristband to show which benefits you have. These perks are only valid inside Pearl Cove and do not carry over to the rest of the island. If you have the Basic Entry or Open Bar package, you can still eat at the Pearl Cove Restaurant, but you will need to pay full price. You can leave Pearl Cove to use your Island Eats credit elsewhere.
The Pearl Cove restaurant is open until 4:00 p.m.
Do Cabanas Have a Special Menu?
Yes, if you’ve booked a cabana at Starfish Lagoon/Beach or Calypso Lagoon/Beach, you’ll have access to a special cabana-only menu with upgraded food options not available at the standard Island Eats venues. Items on this menu include burritos, burgers, grilled fish tacos, chicken wings, and salads—with prices ranging from $10.99 to $18.99. These meals are not included in your free Island Eats credit and must be purchased separately, but cabana guests can enjoy them from the comfort of their private space.
Click to view the special Cabana menu
Celebration Key Drinks Menu: What’s Covered and What’s Not
The only drink that’s free at Celebration Key is water—from designated stations near the restrooms and food areas.
Everything else—soda, juice, alcohol, bottled water, and coffee—is an extra charge. And your Cheers! or Bottomless Bubbles package won’t work here.
You can pay using your Sail & Sign card or a credit/debit card. Celebration Key is completely cashless. An 18% service charge and 10% Bahamian VAT will be added to all drink orders, so that $3.50 soda will actually run closer to $4.50. All of the Celebration Key bars use the same menu, found below. Other drinks can be ordered, but specific liquor prices are not posted.
Click to view the standard drink menu
Celebration Key FAQs
Do I get more than one free meal at Celebration Key?
No. Each guest gets one Island Eats credit per visit.
Can I use someone else’s Island Eats credit?
Yes, if you’re ordering for others in your cabin, you don’t need to swipe each person’s Sail & Sign card. Just be careful not to use another person’s credit by accident.
Do I need cash on the island?
No. Celebration Key is completely cashless. Use your Sail & Sign card or a credit/debit card.
Are drink packages accepted at Celebration Key?
No. Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles don’t apply. All drinks must be paid for separately.
Can I go back to the ship to eat?
Yes. You can reboard the ship, have a meal there, and return to the island afterward.
What are the food hours?
11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Food trucks, snack shacks, food hall, Yumshine Scoops, coffee
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Gill’s Grill, Mingo’s, Surf N’ Sauce
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant
Bottom Line: Know Before You Go
Celebration Key is a beautiful destination, but it’s not like being on the ship where everything is included. Here’s a quick summary to help you avoid surprise charges:
You get one Island Eats benefit per person—a free fast casual meal or 25% off one full-service entrée
Once you use that credit, all other food is charged at full price
Drinks are never included unless you’re at Pearl Cove with an eligible pass
The ship’s drink packages do not apply
You’re free to return to the ship to eat and come back later
