Carnival Cruise Line officially debuted its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, last weekend with the arrival of Carnival Vista, marking a major milestone in the company’s $600 million investment in Grand Bahama.
Nearly 5,000 guests were on board for the inaugural visit to the highly anticipated port, which now boasts a range of record-breaking attractions and immersive experiences.
The opening ceremony featured Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, and Chief Fun Officer and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Alongside Vista Captain Paolo Severini, the group turned the ceremonial key to “unlock” the 10-story Suncastle, which houses two thrilling racing waterslides. They also cut the ribbon to officially open Lokono Cove, the on-site shopping village, and toasted the occasion with champagne at the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club. O’Neal even made the first shot on the destination’s basketball court.
“Opening this new exclusive destination marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come,” said Duffy. “Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it’s a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings. We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”
Celebration Key features the world’s tallest sandcastle, the world’s largest swing and swim-up bar, and the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons. The port includes a dedicated pier that can host two of Carnival’s largest ships at once, with construction already underway to expand capacity for two additional ships.
Carnival expects Celebration Key to bring over two million guests to Grand Bahama annually, with projections rising to four million by 2028. The development is also expected to deliver a significant economic boost to the island, creating hundreds of long-term jobs tied to the port’s daily operations.
