Carnival Unlocks Portals for its New Celebration Key

Celebration Key in the Bahamas--rendering from Carnival Cruise Line

A new cruise destination is coming into focus as Carnival Cruise Line revealed details of Celebration Key, an exclusive destination on Grand Bahama designed to offer guests “a key for unlocking their slice of paradise.”

Development of the cruise attraction on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, has been underway since 2017 and is finally set to open in the summer of 2025, Carnival says. It’s got a mile-long beach, Bahamian shopping and dining outlets as well as one of the largest fresh water lagoons in the Caribbean.

Celebration Key is a featured destination on more than 500 cruise itineraries currently open for sale on 18 Carnival ships sailing from nine U.S. home ports. Carnival ships will dock at an adjacent cruise pier that can accommodate two of the cruise line’s largest ships simultaneously and will allow guests direct access to the destination.

As live music fills the air, a much-larger-than-life sandcastle stands in the center of Celebration Key to greet guests for a day in the sun, Carnival says. Guests can choose from a range of portals for the fun.

The Family-Friendly Portal is the place for families with kids of all ages to enjoy their time at Celebration Key. The day can include swimming in the large freshwater lagoon, alongside a splash pad with a shallow pool, two exciting racing waterslides in the large sandcastle, sports courts, spaces designed for kids and teens to enjoy, a beautiful beach with all types of beach loungers and a variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas.

The Adult-Friendly Portal is designed for adults looking to spend their day enjoying the freshwater lagoon or at the beach lounging on the warm white sands and splashing around in the Bahamian waters to kick back and relax. Guests can also find their favorite cocktails at a large swim-up bar while they enjoy a high energy vibe curated by a talented DJ. A variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas are available. There are also several dining venues, including a full-service restaurant that will offer a variety of cuisines, including local Bahamian flavors.

The Private Club Portal is a premium experience curated for those who are seeking a relaxing and luxurious day in paradise. The private club is an adult-only retreat, with a stunning infinity pool, overlooking the best views of the Bahamian waters, with loungers swaying beneath palm trees and vibrant foliage. A dedicated section of the beach provides premier and private access, along with elevated dining experiences.

The Retail Portal will showcase Bahamian culture, featuring a backdrop of beautiful murals painted by Bahamian artists and that will include authentic Bahamian artisanal goods and local Bahamian retailers, along with Duty-Free stores. As they explore this portal, guests will also find several food and beverage options serving Bahamian flavors.

Celebration Key will also include a wedding pavilion set up to host vow renewals and special celebrations.

“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,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Celebration Key is uniquely positioned to bring an island experience to our diverse range of guests, in a way that lets them choose their slice of paradise.”

Carnival plans to share more details for each of the portals over the coming months. There are already plans for future expansion, including a waterpark and zipline course, to give guests more reasons to return, Duffy says.

About Wallace Immen 779 Articles
Wallace Immen is Executive Editor of The Cruisington Times, the Best in Cruising, Travel, Food and Fun. He's sailed on all of the world's seas to ports in over 100 countries and travelled on every continent.