Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened Celebration Key, its new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, marking the completion of the first phase of a $600 million investment. Carnival Vista became the first ship to dock at the facility, bringing nearly 5,000 guests to experience the new port.
The opening ceremony featured Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal and Carnival Vista captain Paolo Severini. The executives ceremonially unlocked the gates to the 10-story Suncastle structure and cut the ribbon at the Lokono Cove shopping village.
"Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600 million investment, with more to come," Duffy said. "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."
The destination features five distinct areas. Paradise Plaza serves as the central welcome area with live music. Starfish Lagoon caters to families with one of the Caribbean's two largest freshwater lagoons at 275,000 square feet, plus a splash pad, sports courts and the Suncastle's waterslides spanning 350 feet. Calypso Lagoon offers an adult-friendly environment with an equally large lagoon, DJ Island and what the company describes as the world's largest swim-up bar with 166 submerged seats.
Pearl Cove Beach Club operates as an adults-only retreat featuring an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, white-sand beach access and premium dining options. Lokono Cove houses the retail village with local Bahamian cultural displays and shopping opportunities.
The destination includes more than 30 food and beverage venues; more than 1 mile of white-sand beach; and entertainment programming featuring Junkanoo parades, local musicians and beach activities. Accommodation options range from cabanas and daybeds to villas for guests seeking private relaxation areas.
Celebration Key is projected to bring more than two million guests annually to Grand Bahama initially, with expectations to reach four million by 2028. The facility includes a cruise pier designed to accommodate two of Carnival's largest vessels simultaneously, with construction already underway on an extension to handle two additional ships.
The development has created hundreds of permanent jobs for daily operations on Grand Bahama, according to the cruise line.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Carnival Cruise Line. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.