A New Era of Cruising: Carnival’s Celebration Key
When I arrived at the beach, I found a giant sandcastle waiting for me. But this wasn’t just any sandcastle—it was a 10-story structure called Suncastle, built with sturdier materials than sand. It’s the centerpiece of Celebration Key, a new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama Island operated by Carnival Cruise Line. This isn’t just a vacation spot; it’s an entire world designed to cater to every guest’s interests and preferences.
Suncastle is adorned with conch shells and a golden sun, setting the tone for an epic beach day. The castle towers over Paradise Plaza, one of five distinct areas or “portals” that make up Celebration Key. Each portal offers unique experiences, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Exploring the Portals
Paradise Plaza
Paradise Plaza serves as the main entrance to Celebration Key. A partially covered walkway leads guests from the pier where Carnival ships dock to the island. Upon arrival, guests pass through a sun-shaped archway and are greeted by the pink Flash Flamingo and blue Mach III Marlin racing water slides. These slides offer unlimited access for $14.99 and are included with cabana and supervilla reservations.
The plaza also features Yumshine Scoops for ice cream, a shore excursions and guest services desk, and beach wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can explore other portals via walking paths or nearby tram stops.
Starfish Lagoon
Starfish Lagoon is designed with families in mind. It includes one of the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons, where guests can swim or relax on nearby beaches. The area also offers dining options such as Captain’s Galley Food Hall, Gill’s Grill, and Starfish Food Trucks. Parents and kids can enjoy tropical drinks at the Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar.
For those who enjoy sports, there are basketball courts and table tennis facilities. Water-based excursions depart from Starfish Beach, making it a perfect spot for adventure seekers.
Lokono Cove
As the retail hub of Celebration Key, Lokono Cove offers handmade Bahamian goods, woodcarvings, jewelry, and duty-free products. Suncastle Grounds Coffee provides iced drinks and hot beverages for guests to enjoy. Land-based shore excursions depart from here, and taxis and rental cars are available for exploring Grand Bahama.
Calypso Lagoon
Calypso Lagoon is the more adult-oriented counterpart to Starfish Lagoon. It features the Sunshine Swings Bar, where guests can relax in swings, and the adults-only Calypso Lagoon Swim-Up Bar. The western portion of Calypso Lagoon felt like a party during my visit, thanks to the in-water DJ Island.
Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen offers a variety of dishes, including conch fritters and chicken wings. Visitors can also enjoy Bahamian craft beers at Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews. Calypso Beach is just a short walk away, offering another option for relaxation.
Pearl Cove Beach Club
Located at the western edge of Celebration Key, Pearl Cove Beach Club offers an exclusive experience for an additional cost. The area features its own stretch of beach, an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, and a private restaurant and bar with stunning views of the pier. There are three tiers of pricing:
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Access: $99.99 per guest, including a welcome drink.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Open Bar: $139.99 per guest, including up to 10 drinks.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club All Inclusive: $179.99 per guest, including the open bar and dining at the restaurant.
Additional Experiences and Costs
In addition to the water slides and beach club, guests can pay extra to customize their experience. Options include renting daybeds, cabanas, or supervillas for added comfort. The Island Eats program allows each guest to get one free meal at fast casual venues or a 25% discount on an entree at full-service restaurants. Kids who haven’t redeemed their meal can order from the kids menu at no additional charge.
While onboard drink packages don’t extend to Celebration Key, internet plans do. Shore excursions, such as dolphin encounters and Jeep tours, come at an extra cost. Kayaks, snorkel gear, and lockers are also available for rent. Travelers can browse add-ons and pricing on Carnival’s website.
Carnival Cruise Line has plans to expand Celebration Key further, adding two more berths by 2026. This new destination builds on the company’s long-standing portfolio of land-based offerings, including Princess Cays, established in 1992. As Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, noted, the scale of Celebration Key is what makes it truly unique.
