Celebration Key is Carnival Cruise Line’s newest private destination in The Bahamas, and it’s a much-anticipated port stop on Caribbean cruise itineraries.
The private destination boasts massive freshwater lagoons along with tropical beaches, unique bars, an adults-only beach club, and a variety of other exciting amenities.
Celebration Key is located on the southern shore of Grand Bahama Island, and the area spans 379 acres. Currently, 68 acres have been developed, and future expansions are planned for the coming years.
If your Carnival cruise visits Celebration Key, it’s helpful to know what to expect before you set sail. From the pools to cabana rentals and restaurants, here’s everything you need to know about this new private destination.
Celebration Key is split into five distinct areas
Celebration Key offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an adults-only retreat or a family beach day with young cruisers.
The private destination is split into five zones, which Carnival Cruise Line calls portals. Each of these portals offers unique attractions, bars, shops, and things to do.
These are the five portals at Celebration Key:
- Paradise Plaza
- Starfish Lagoon
- Calypso Lagoon
- Pearl Cove Beach Club
- Lokono Cove
View a map of Celebration Key here.
You’ll start your day at Paradise Plaza
When you disembark your cruise ship at Celebration Key, a short walk along the pier will bring you to Paradise Plaza. This is the first portal at Celebration Key, and it acts as the jump-off point to get around the island.
Here is where you’ll find the shore excursions desk, where you can find information about your reserved excursions and rentals. You’ll also find Guest Services here. This area is organized by ship, so if there are multiple ships in port, be sure to follow the signs to ensure you’re in the correct line.
Also in Paradise Plaza are the Suncastle Waterslides.
Celebration Key has two racing waterslides: the Flash Flamingo and Mach 3 Marlin. The waterslides are not included in your cruise fare; unlimited rides cost $15 per person for the day ashore.
Paradise Plaza also features Suncastle Grounds Coffee, serving a variety of hot, iced, and frozen coffees and teas. Yumshine Scoops is nearby, too, which offers ice cream and sundaes in a variety of flavors, including cotton candy, mango, and strawberry.
Starfish Lagoon is perfect for families
The next portal is Starfish Lagoon, which comprises half of Celebration Key’s 275,000-square-foot lagoon. Starfish Lagoon focuses on family fun, although guests of all ages can enjoy the portal’s amenities.
At the forefront of Starfish Lagoon is the lagoon itself. Beach loungers, hammocks, daybeds, and cabanas surround the lagoon, and many guests spend the entire day swimming in the refreshing water.
Read more: 4 things I loved and 3 I hated at Carnival's Celebration Key
You’ll also find Guppy Grotto, Celebration Key’s splash pad. It features water sprayers along with a 2-foot wading pool for the youngest cruisers ashore.
In addition, there’s a beach at Starfish Lagoon, Starfish Beach.
Here you’ll find beach loungers, umbrellas, and picturesque, turquoise Bahamian water.
Calypso Lagoon is adult-focused with a party vibe
The other side of Celebration Key’s lagoon is Calypso Lagoon. This portal promises a more adult-focused atmosphere, but it’s not exclusively adults-only. Like Starfish Lagoon, this portal offers both a freshwater lagoon and a beach.
Many passengers head to Calypso Lagoon to spend the day in the pool. There are, however, a few distinctions between the two sides of the lagoon.
Calypso Lagoon is home to Long Necks Swim Up Bar, which offers a resort-style party with a live DJ.
The bar is located within Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen, a colorful restaurant and bar serving up a variety of Bahamian classics and frozen drinks. This part of the lagoon is reserved for guests 13 and older.
Another unique bar, Sunshine Swings Bar, is located in Calypso Lagoon, too.
This bar features swings for seats, which either dangle over the sand or over the water. It’s among the most popular bars at Celebration Key, so be sure to head there early to snag a seat.
Pearl Cove Beach Club is an adults-only private retreat
While Calypso Lagoon places a focus on adults, Pearl Cove Beach Club is the exclusive adults-only area at Celebration Key.
This portal is reserved for guests aged 18 and older, and it comes with an extra charge. There are three day pass admission options, which cost between $100 and $180.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Access: $100
- Pearl Cove Beach Club: Open Bar: $140
- Pearl Cove Beach Club: All-Inclusive: $180
Read more: Pearl Cove Beach Club day pass review at Celebration Key
All-day passes provide access to Pearl Cove Beach Club’s amenities, which include an infinity pool, swim-up bar, and private beach. The open bar admission includes up to ten drinks from a limited menu, whereas the all-inclusive option includes up to ten drinks along with lunch at the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant.
The restaurant is accessible to all passengers at the beach club, but is only included in the cost for those who have purchased the all-inclusive entry. Other passengers can order from an à-la-carte menu.
If you’re looking for a small piece of luxury at Celebration Key, Pearl Cove Beach Club is definitely the spot.
The last portal is Lokono Cove, which focuses on shopping
Lokono Cove is the last portal at Celebration Key, and it primarily acts as a shopping hub. Here is where you’ll find a variety of souvenir shops, which sell everything from local Bahamian handicrafts to duty-free jewelry and authentic rum cakes.
If you booked an excursion outside of Celebration Key to elsewhere on Grand Bahama Island, your excursion will depart from Lokono Cove.
What’s included at Celebration Key?
All Carnival cruise passengers can disembark at Celebration Key without an excursion. Visits to the private destination are included in your cruise fare.
Here’s everything free at Celebration Key:
- Access to Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon
- Access to Calypso Beach and Starfish Beach
- Beach loungers and umbrellas
- Guppy Grotto splash pad for young cruisers
- One complimentary meal at select Island Eats restaurants, along with ice water
- Sports activities, including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and ping pong
- Live entertainment, such as the Junkanoo parade and live music
- Tram service
Here’s what costs extra at Celebration Key:
- Access to Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant
- Bottled water, sodas, juices, and alcoholic beverages
- Meals at full-service restaurants
- Cabanas and daybeds
- Sports rental equipment, including kayaks, pool inflatables, and snorkel gear
- Shore excursions booked through Carnival or through independent providers
- Ice cream from Yumshine Scoops
- Coffees and snacks from Suncastle Grounds Coffee
- Lockers
What food is included at Celebration Key?
One meal is included for all guests visiting Celebration Key through Carnival’s Island Eats program. This program provides a meal credit for an entrée, side, and chocolate chip cookie at quick-service restaurants.
After using your Island Eats credit, all additional meals and snacks will come with an extra charge.
Restaurants include:
Captain’s Galley Food Hall
Captain’s Galley food hall is the signature complimentary restaurant at Celebration Key. It features grab-and-go food stalls that offer a variety of cuisines.
You’ll find everything from build-your-own Mexican and Mediterranean bowls to pizza and American classics like chicken tenders and cheeseburgers.
Stalls offer both extra-cost and complimentary options.
Food Trucks
Both Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon feature food trucks. Like at Captain’s Galley Food Hall, these food trucks offer both extra-cost and complimentary options.
Food trucks include:
- Seaside Burgers & Dogs: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs
- Calypso Chicken Co.: chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and cheesesteaks
- The Donut King: mini donuts with over ten flavor options
- Grand Bahama Taco: Mexican-Bahamian fusion tacos and quesadillas
- Streatery Sushiva: sushi stall with two complimentary roll options
Read more: Carnival Celebration Key Menus
Snack Shacks
Snack Shack locations are dotted throughout Celebration Key and offer grab-and-go favorites like Caesar salads, chicken caesar wraps, hummus vegetable wraps, and turkey club wraps.
What food costs extra at Celebration Key?
Although many venues are included in Celebration Key’s Island Eats program, other restaurants cost extra.
Celebration Key features a wide array of full-service restaurants, and these venues come with a cover charge. If you opt to dine at a sit-down restaurant, you can use your Island Eats credit for a 40% discount on your first entrée.
Full-service restaurants at Celebration Key:
- Gill’s Grill: Caribbean seafood, including lobster and shrimp, along with burgers and chicken
- Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews: barbecued meats and craft beer
- Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen: Bahamian and American favorites, including conch fritters, fried fish, and BBQ burgers
Do drink packages work at Celebration Key?
Carnival Cruise Line’s drink packages are not honored at Celebration Key.
All drinks ashore cost extra, regardless of whether or not a passenger has a CHEERS! drink package onboard their ship.
Expect to pay between $7 and $11 for beer and wine, $3.50 for soft drinks, and between $12 and $14 for cocktails. Drink purchases also incur an automatic 18% gratuity along with any applicable tax.
All charges at Celebration Key can be made with your Sail & Sign card, and charges will be posted to your Carnival account. You can access your charges within the Carnival app or by visiting Guest Services.
Cabanas at Celebration Key
Cabanas and daybeds are available to reserve at Celebration Key. There are several types of cabanas available, including:
Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa
Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon both feature one Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa. This cabana can accommodate up to twelve guests. It costs $2,000 for a day rental, but comes with impressive amenities.
The villa features a sectional sofa, bar, dining table, swing chair, four padded loungers, and a private slide. Guests in the villa can enjoy a complimentary lunch along with water, soft drinks, snacks, and a villa concierge. They also have access to unlimited rides on the Suncastle waterslides.
Super Villa
Super Villa cabanas are located at Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon. A day rental is $1,800, and they can accommodate up to twelve guests. These cabanas offer a similar layout and experience to the Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa, but are located on the sand.
A Super Villa cabana is also available at Pearl Cove Beach Club. The cabana includes access to the adults-only space, and it also includes an open bar consisting of tropical cocktails, draft beers, and house wine. This cabana costs $2,800 and can accommodate twelve guests.
Other Cabanas
Aside from the Super Villas, there are several other smaller cabanas available at Celebration Key.
- Cabana at Pearl Cove Beach Club with Open Bar: beach cabana with Pearl Cove Beach Club access ($1,000 for up to eight guests)
- Large Cabana at Starfish/Calypso Lagoon: beach cabana ($900 for up to ten guests)
- Over-the-Lagoon Cabana at Starfish/Calypso Lagoon: cabana with direct lagoon access ($740 for up to eight guests)
- Cabana at Starfish/Calypso Lagoon: beach cabana ($600 for up to eight guests)
- Aquabana at Starfish Lagoon: inflatable cabana ($500 for up to eight guests)
Daybeds
Aside from cabana rentals, guests can also rent daybeds around Celebration Key.
Daybeds feature a shaded, padded daybed along with two lounge chairs. They can accommodate up to four passengers.
Most daybeds cost $150, but the Luxury Daybed at Pearl Cove Beach Club costs $350.
How do you get around Celebration Key?
Getting around Celebration Key is easy and can be done on foot or by tram.
After disembarking the ship, walking to the entrance takes around five to ten minutes. However, there are complimentary trams available for those who do not want to walk.
Two tram lines run around Celebration Key. The first loops the western side of the destination around Calypso Lagoon, and the second travels around Starfish Lagoon.
Walking distances are not as long as you might think, though. Paved walking paths provide easy access around Celebration Key, and you’ll never walk more than ten minutes to get from one portal to another.
What’s next for Celebration Key?
In July of 2025, Carnival Cruise Line completed Phase 1 of Celebration Key, and the private destination opened to guests.
Phase 2 will be an expansion of Celebration Key east of Starfish Lagoon and Starfish Beach, although little is known about construction plans and timelines.
The pier is being expanded, too, so the private destination will soon be able to accommodate four ships at one time instead of just two.
Check out our full tour of Celebration Key on YouTube to learn even more about this exciting private destination:
Jenna DeLaurentis
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while in port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea.
