On July 12, 2025, Grand Bahama’s community leaders, government officials, and local residents were invited aboard Carnival Vista for an exclusive first look at Celebration Key, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination. The preview coincided with embarkation in Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida), ahead of the island’s grand opening scheduled for July 19, when Carnival Vista will officially call on the 64-acre resort.
Guests were guided through the island’s 5 themed zones, such as the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club and the family-centric Starfish Lagoon, and viewed signature attractions including the towering Suncastle waterslides and what is billed as the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons.
The destination layout includes over 30 food and beverage outlets and a retail village showcasing the work of local artisans.
Carnival President Christine Duffy, attending the preview, characterised Celebration Key as a milestone for Grand Bahama—its first major development in more than two decades. She emphasised that the destination would generate hundreds of long-term jobs for islanders and reinforce the partnership between Carnival and the local community.
Following the preview, Carnival Vista will be the first to visit Celebration Key officially on July 19, with the inauguration ceremony scheduled for livestream on Carnival’s Facebook page at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The installation of a pier expansion in 2026 will facilitate the simultaneous arrival of up to ten ships from various U.S. embarkation points.
In its first year, Celebration Key is expected to host around two million visitors from twenty Carnival vessels, bringing a significant boost to the local economy.
The preview affirmed Carnival’s ambition to pair guest entertainment with meaningful economic impact—one that combines immersive tropical attractions with community benefit, anchored in a respectful Caribbean setting.