Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened its highly anticipated Celebration Key destination, welcoming thousands of guests to a beachfront paradise in Grand Bahama.
The honour of the inaugural visit went to Carnival Vista, which arrived on Saturday, 19th July 2025, marking the start of a new era for the cruise line.
The arrival of Vista and her 4,800 passengers was met with celebration, as Carnival “unlocked paradise” with fireworks, music, and a symbolic padlock opening to mark the launch.
A brass band and singers created a vibrant welcome, while cruise executives and special guests – including Carnival president Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, and Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal – joined local Bahamian dignitaries for the ribbon cutting.
“Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600 million investment, with more to come… We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”
Christine Duffy
With over 25 years of planning behind it, Celebration Key is now open to guests for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring.
Festivities included a toast at the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club and a ribbon-cutting at the new retail area, Lokono Cove.
Shaquille O’Neal even took the first shot on the island’s new basketball court.
The opening ceremony also marked the beginning of Phase 1, with a pier already capable of accommodating two ships. Phase 2 is already underway, expanding the pier for even more vessels.
What’s Included and What to Expect
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has been on the ground offering updates and walk-throughs, showing off the destination’s shaded seating, swim-up bar, plentiful lifeguards, and beach amenities.
Food-wise, every guest receives one complimentary meal from any of the 14 casual eateries on the island, with generous portions that include chicken tenders, burgers, mac and cheese, and more – all served with fries and a large cookie.
There are upscale options for those wanting more variety, including seafood-focused Gill’s Grill, and guests can use their Sail & Sign card or personal credit card, as Celebration Key is entirely cashless.
Guests can enjoy the sweeping lagoon and explore local shopping areas, rent cabanas, or stay active with waterslides, kayak rentals, and jet ski rides.
One tip from Heald: bring your beach towel from the ship, as towel stations were not yet operational during the inaugural visit.
Sharks at Celebration Key? Here’s the Truth
Despite the excitement, some guests have raised concerns about marine life, particularly sharks, as Celebration Key is located just off the coast of Grand Bahama – not far from the well-known Tiger Beach area.
A concerned parent wrote to Heald asking whether Celebration Key was safe for children, particularly given the island’s proximity to areas where sharks are common.
“Celebration Key is part of Grand Bahama. There’s no concerns with sharks that I have seen reported by our guests or onboard teams,” Heald confirmed, adding later with his trademark humour “I can definitely say there will be no sharks tomorrow or throughout next week because all the sharks are appearing on National Geographic.”
While shark attacks in the Bahamas are extremely rare – with only 34 recorded since 1580 – Carnival does offer a controlled “glass bottom boat & shark experience” as an optional excursion for guests keen to see these creatures safely.
For families who are still wary, both Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon offer large freshwater pool alternatives where sharks aren’t a concern.
Starfish Lagoon is family-friendly, while Calypso is an adults-only retreat.
More to Come
Following Vista’s debut call, Carnival Conquest was next to visit Celebration Key on Sunday, 20th July.
Mardi Gras – the first Excel-class ship – is scheduled for arrival on Friday, 25 July.
Over time, all 20 Carnival ships will include the destination on itineraries departing from 10 different US homeports.
With sunshine, music, and tropical flair, Carnival’s Celebration Key is already making waves – and not the kind that involves fins.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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