Celebration Key: Discover the Bahamas' Exciting New Cruise Destination
- Cruise Ship Crayz News Team
- Jul 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Carnival Just Unlocked Paradise: Say Hello to Celebration Key, the Bahamas' Newest Cruise Hotspot 🏖️
Get ready, cruisers — Carnival Cruise Line just threw open the gates to what might be the coolest new cruise destination in the Caribbean: Celebration Key on Grand Bahama! 🌴✨
On a sun-drenched day filled with beach vibes and big reveals, Carnival Vista became the first ship to dock at this exclusive, $600-million slice of paradise — and its nearly 5,000 guests got the full VIP treatment.
So, what exactly is Celebration Key? Think of it as your dream beach day… leveled up. 🎉
🌞 What’s New at Celebration Key?
Let’s talk highlights. There’s a 10-story Suncastle (yep, it’s officially the world’s tallest sandcastle), waterslides that’ll twist your cares away, and not one but two of the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons. If that’s not enough, there’s a swim-up bar with 166 seats and a swing bar where you can sip cocktails while gliding in the breeze. Oh, and did we mention the world’s largest swing?
Carnival's Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal joined President Christine Duffy, CEO Josh Weinstein, and Captain Paolo Severini for the official ribbon-cutting — unlocking the gates with a giant key and kicking off the party with a champagne toast (and a pretty impressive basketball shot from Shaq 🏀🍾).
🗺️ Five Portals of Fun
Here’s how the destination breaks down:
🌴 Paradise Plaza
Your tropical welcome zone — live music, festive vibes, and the start of your Celebration Key experience.
🐠 Starfish Lagoon
Perfect for families! Think massive lagoon, splash pads, twisting waterslides, and chill beach cabanas. Hungry? Grab bites at Captain’s Galley Food Hall or Gill’s Grill Seafood. Thirsty? The Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar has you covered.
🎶 Calypso Lagoon
Calling all adults: this is your playground. With a DJ Island, mega swim-up bar, BBQ eats, and a swing bar made for Instagram, this 275,000-square-foot lagoon is all about vibes and relaxation.
🧘 Pearl Cove Beach Club
An ultra-luxe adults-only escape with an infinity pool, upscale food & drink, and supervillas right on the beach. Hello, indulgence. 😎
🛍️ Lokono Cove
Shopping meets Bahamian culture — think local art, handmade goods, colorful murals, and island souvenirs that actually mean something.
🍔 Eat, Drink, Repeat
With over 30 food and drink venues to choose from, you’ll never go hungry (or thirsty). Expect everything from beachy snacks to elevated dining, plus live DJs, beach games, and even Junkanoo parades to keep the good times rolling all day long.
📈 Big Future, Big Impact
Celebration Key is already drawing attention — and it’s just the beginning. Carnival expects over 2 million guests to visit annually, with that number doubling to 4 million by 2028. That’s not just great news for cruisers — it’s a huge boost for Grand Bahama’s economy, with hundreds of new long-term jobs and massive development underway (including a pier expansion to fit four mega-ships at once).
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