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- Celebration Key, a new private destination for Carnival Cruise Lines in the Grand Bahama, has five different areas.
- Guests can choose from a variety of dining options and additional experiences such as cabana rentals and coastal excursions.
- Celebration Key offers both free and paid activities, with additional costs of amenities like the exclusive Pearl Cove Beach Club.
When I arrived at the beach I found a huge sandcastle waiting for me. The carnival cruise line did not have a sand mold. When the water slides that came out from above appeared, it was even more.
The 10-storey Suncastle – technically made of something sturdy than sand – is the epic eyeball of Celebration Key, the new exclusive destination of the Grand Bahama line. The castle, decorated with conch and golden sun, sets the tone of a magnificent beach day.
This structure also lays out above Paradise Plaza, one of five different regions or “portals.”
“There’s something really for everyone,” Carnival President Christine Duffy told USA Today’s Carnival Vista ahead of the grand opening of Celebration Key. Here’s how each portal differs:
Paradise Plaza
Partially covered passageways, welcome features on a near 90 degree day in late July, connect the jetty docked by carnival ships to the celebration key. Guests enter Paradise Plaza and pass through a sun-shaped arch.
The area features Sun Castle’s Pink Flash Flamingo and Blue Mach High III Merlin Racing Water Slide, with unlimited access for $14.99 and includes Cabana and Superya reservations. Guests can also chill with ice cream at Yumshine Scoops. Visit the Shore Excursions and Guest Services Desk to book and get information. Then find a wheelchair on the beach (first cam, first service).
The Plaza also offers access to other portals via walking paths and nearby tram stops.
Starde Lagoon
The Stardew Lagoon is designed with families in mind, built around what families bill as one of the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean. Guests can swim there. Sunbathing on the lounger; or grab burgers, pizza, tacos and more at the open air captain’s galley food hall.
Other dining options include Gill’s Grill, serving Caribbean seafood along with other dishes, and starfish food truck (mini donut king guava cheesecake donuts). Parents and children alike can enjoy tropical drinks such as frozen cocktails and mocktails from the parrot swim-up bar.
For sporty sets, basketball – on the on-site court – table tennis and other games are located in Starde Lagoon (another area, sports that also offer Calypso Lagoon). Water-based excursions also depart from the pier from the starfish beach.
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As a destination retail hub, guests can purchase handmade Bahamian products and other items, from wood carvings to jewelry and tax-free products. Suncastle Grounds Coffee also has a great deal of ice drinks or hot drinks at its prices and perch locations.
Land coastal excursions depart from Locono Cove, where guests can find taxis and car rentals to other parts of the Grand Bahama.
Calypso Lagoon
Calypso Lagoon is the adult answer to Starde Lagoon. The Sunshine Swings Bar has a seating swing and guests can float in the adult-only Calypso Lagoon Swim-up Bar (guests must be at least 18 to enjoy the western part of Calypso Lagoon). That part of the Celebration Key felt like a party during my visit thanks to the underwater DJ island.
Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen offers covered seating and offers a wide range of options, from conch to chicken wings and sandwiches. Pro Tip: Try Key Lime Pie.
For other casual meals, visitors can head to Surfun Sauce BBQ & Brews (Bahama craft beer on the menu) or Calypso Food Truck. Calypso Beach is also a short walk away.
Pearl Cove Beach Club
Located on the western edge of Celebration Key, Pearl Cove offers an exclusive experience at an additional cost. The area features its own beach stretch, an 11,000 square foot infinity pool, private restaurants and bars, all with main views of the pier. There are three tiers to pricing.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Access includes portal access and welcome drinks for $99.99 per guest
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Open Bar includes up to 10 drinks for $139.99 per guest
- Pearl Cove Beach Club All Inclusive includes an open bar park where you can dine in the restaurant for $179.99 per guest
How much is the key for the celebration?
In addition to water slides and beach clubs, guests can pay extra to customize their experience in other ways, such as choosing from a variety of daybeds, cabanas and Super La Rentals, if they want to be more comfortable, but there are plenty of open spaces.
The Destination’s Island Eats program allows each guest to get a free meal at the first casual venue (many come with sides and cookies), or receive a 25% discount on appetizers at a full-service restaurant. Children who have not redeemed island food can also order from their children’s menu at the full-service restaurant. Visitors can purchase other foods for an additional fee.
Not all venues will be participating in Island Eats, but I noticed that people who went on the menu during their visit were presented with free options.
The onboard drink package doesn’t extend to Celebration Key, but that’s the onboard internet plan.
Shore excursions from dolphin encounters to jeep tours also cost an additional cost, with kayaks, snorkel gear and rental lockers. Travelers can view add-ons and prices on the Carnival website.
Duffy pointed out that this month’s opening is merely a phase one. Celebration Key now has two berths, with the cruise line previously saying it will add two more by 2026.
The destination is based on the long-standing portfolio of parent Carnival Corp., a portfolio of land sales, founded in 1992, one of the Bahamas destinations.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel journalist for Nashville-based USA Today. You can contact him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
