Carnival Cruise Line “unlocked paradise” with the opening of Celebration Key, the brand-new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, as Carnival Vista made the inaugural call with nearly 5,000 guests onboard to experience the debut of the Suncastle, the world’s tallest sandcastle, the world’s largest swing and swim-up bar, and the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons.
Highlights from the opening day showcase the destination’s marquee attractions and guest experiences across its portals, underscoring Celebration Key’s position as a premier new cruise stop for fun, relaxation, and Bahamian flavor.
Announcement
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, and Carnival Vista Captain Paolo Severini officially opened Celebration Key’s first phase by “unlocking” the 10‑story Suncastle, home to two racing waterslides, cutting the ribbon at Lokono Cove, and christening the basketball court with O’Neal’s first shot, followed by a champagne toast at the adults‑only Pearl Cove Beach Club.
Leadership quote
“Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come,” said Duffy, noting Celebration Key blends the beauty of the Bahamas with an expansive lineup of new experiences designed for both high‑energy fun and laid‑back relaxation under the palms.
Five key zones
- Paradise Plaza – The arrival hub with live music welcoming guests into Celebration Key.
- Starfish Lagoon – Family‑forward fun anchored by one of the Caribbean’s two largest freshwater lagoons at 275,000 square feet, plus a splash pad, sports courts, and Suncastle body slides twisting through 350 feet of turns and drops, alongside loungers, cabanas, casual dining at Captain’s Galley Food Hall, Gill’s Grill Seafood, Snack Shacks, and the Parrotfish Swim‑Up Bar.
- Calypso Lagoon – An adult‑friendly area featuring an equally large 275,000‑square‑foot lagoon, a dedicated adults‑only DJ Island, the world’s largest swim‑up bar with 166 in‑water seats, the Sunshine Swings Bar with nearly 50 swings, and dining at Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brew, Calypso Food Trucks, and Snack Shacks.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club – The largest adults‑only retreat at any cruise destination, offering an 11,000‑square‑foot infinity pool over white‑sand beachfront, premium loungers, cabanas, supervillas, elevated dining at Pearl Cove Restaurant, the Pearl Cove Bar, and a separate swim‑up bar.
- Lokono Cove – A retail village spotlighting authentic Bahamian culture with vibrant murals, local art, and handmade goods.
Dining and entertainment
Across Celebration Key, guests can choose from more than 30 food and beverage venues, alongside live entertainment ranging from Junkanoo parades and roaming rake‑and‑scrape musicians to DJs and all‑day beach games, with plentiful cabanas, daybeds, and villas for private relaxation and easy access to sports courts, water activities, and shore excursions.
Beach and capacity
The destination features over a mile of pristine white‑sand beach on vivid Bahamian waters, an adjacent cruise pier able to berth two of Carnival’s largest ships, and an extension underway to accommodate two additional ships.
Economic impact
Celebration Key is projected to welcome more than two million guests annually at launch, growing to four million by 2028, supporting hundreds of long‑term jobs through daily operations and delivering substantial economic benefits to Grand Bahama.
