CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has ushered in a new chapter in maritime leisure with the opening of Celebration Key, an exclusive destination on Grand Bahama Island. The inaugural ship, Carnival Vista, made the first official call on July 19, 2025, marking the debut of what Carnival calls its premier private port in the region.
During a discreet ceremony, Carnival leadership—including President Christine Duffy, CEO Josh Weinstein, “Chief Fun Officer” Shaquille O’Neal, and Captain Paolo Severini—opened the gates to the ten‐story Suncastle, home to racing water‐slides, and unveiled Lokono Cove’s retail village. O’Neal is reported to have taken the first shot on the venue’s basketball court, with the finale marked by a champagne toast at Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults‐only retreat.
Duffy described this milestone as the completion of the first phase of a US$600 million investment, characterising Celebration Key as a celebration of Bahamian paradise coupled with a diversity of new attractions.
The island comprises five thematic “portals.” Paradise Plaza introduces guests with live music and the monumental Suncastle; Starfish Lagoon offers a family‐oriented freshwater lagoon, splash pad, sports courts, and casual dining; Calypso Lagoon caters to adults with a DJ island, the largest swim‑up bar in the world, and swing‑style seating; Pearl Cove Beach Club provides an intimate, adults‐only infinity pool, beach access, premium cabanas, and a dedicated bar and restaurant; Lokono Cove showcases authentic Bahamian retail and artisan craftsmanship.
More than thirty food and beverage venues span the destination, supported by live entertainment such as Junkanoo parades, rake‑and‑scrape performances, DJs, and beach‑side games. Guests can opt for cabanas, daybeds, floating villas, sports activities, water sports, or simply unwind along over a mile of white‑sand shoreline.
Celebration Key is expected to initially welcome over two million visitors annually, increasing to four million by 2028. Its economic impact is slated to be considerable, with hundreds of ongoing local jobs and ability to berth two of Carnival’s largest vessels simultaneously—plans are already in motion to extend the pier to serve four ships.
Built specifically for Carnival guests, the destination continues the company’s trend toward bespoke maritime retreats, similar to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day islands, offering high‑capacity, all‑inclusive port experiences designed to enhance cruise itineraries.
With its strategic design and expansive flair, Celebration Key transforms a day at port into a fully realised maritime retreat, reshaping expectations for cruise‑line‑owned destinations in the Bahamas.