Carnival announced a new series of 3- to 5-night cruises visiting their brand-new private destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key.
As part of Carnival's 2026-2027 schedule, three Conquest Class ships—Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory—will increase the cruise line's position in the short-cruise market with more visits to Celebration Key.
The announcement comes after the success of Utopia of the Seas' inaugural season. Royal Caribbean's new Oasis Class ship sails exclusively on 3- and 4-night voyages to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's award-winning private island in The Bahamas.
However, none of the ships are part of Carnival's new Excel Class. Carnival Conquest, Freedom, and Glory were launched in 2002, 2003, and 2007, respectively. Carnival's newest ships—Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee—sail on longer voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Galveston, Texas.
“These itineraries build out a key part of our 2026/27 schedule because they represent that quintessential, quick Carnival getaway from Florida to The Bahamas," said Fred Stein, Vice President of Itinerary Planning for Carnival Cruise Line.
"These sailings give our guests many options to enjoy an escape, with all the vibrant onboard activities they know and love, plus a visit to the picturesque ports of The Bahamas, including our premier new destination Celebration Key."
Like Royal Caribbean, Carnival wants to give cruisers ample opportunities to check out their new private destination. The $600 million Celebration Key is set to welcome passengers in July 2025. The port will span 65 acres and offer amenities to appease an array of travelers, from families with young children to adults looking to let loose.
Celebration Key will be comprised of five portals, or zones. The first is Paradise Plaza, where guests will be greeted by a "larger-than-life" sandcastle before making their way to other areas ashore.
Though Carnival is a family-friendly cruise line, they didn't ignore the fact that not everyone travels with children. As such, those wishing for a child-free escape can venture to Calypso Lagoon, an energetic portal with a large pool swim-up bar with swings, a secluded beach, and a full-service restaurant.
Pearl Cove Beach Club is an exclusive retreat at Celebration Key for guests 18 and older. Home to an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool swim-up bar, plush daybeds, overwater cabanas, and more, this peaceful oasis is perfect for those wishing to unwind with tropical cocktails, delicious food, and breathtaking views of the Bahamian waters.
Note that admission to Pearl Cove isn't included in the cost of a Carnival cruise. Instead, cruisers can select one of three packages, which start at $99.99 per person.
Named after Grand Bahama Island's earliest settlers, Lokono Cove is where shoppers can explore a vibrant marketplace with local art exhibitions, live music, artisanal goods, and more. In other words, it's the go-to spot for souvenirs!
Finally, Starfish Lagoon is Celebration Key's family-friendly zone and will have the Caribbean's largest freshwater pool! Whether you want to race down one of the waterslides, rent a floating cabana, or relax on the beach, Starfish Lagoon offers something for everyone in the family.
Carnival Conquest
Throughout 2025 and early 2027, Carnival Conquest will sail from PortMiami on 3- and 4-night cruises to Half Moon Cay. Short weekend getaways list Celebration Key as the ship's only port of call, whereas 4-night sailings will also call at Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay, Carnival's other private destination that's scheduled to be expanded.
Though Conquest's primary focus is short cruises, the 110,000 gross registered ton vessel will embark on a single 11-night Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys cruise in January 2027. While Celebration Key is one of the ports of call, the ship will also visit St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, and Barbados.
Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Carnival Conquest
Carnival Glory
Carnival Glory, another Conquest Class ship launched in 2003, will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on 3- and 4-night itineraries to popular destinations in The Bahamas.
3-night cruises will depart on Fridays and call at Celebration Key. 4-night sailings set sail on Mondays and include an additional visit to Nassau. Select itineraries will also call at Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay.
Read more: 9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau
Carnival Freedom
Finally, Carnival Freedom will focus on slightly longer cruises, offering 4- and 5-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. 4-night cruises will visit Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, while 5-night itineraries will include stops at Nassau, Celebration Key, and either Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays, providing ample time for both relaxation on the ship and exploration ashore.
Carnival Freedom will also embark on two transatlantic cruises next year, starting with a 14-day sailing from Port Canaveral to Barcelona, Spain. While en route to Europe, the ship will call at Gibraltar, United Kingdom, and Málaga and Alicante, Spain. The return voyage sets sail from Barcelona to Port Canaveral.
While overseas, Carnival Freedom will offer a unique 8-day cruise from Barcelona, visiting Provence, France; Livorno (Pisa/Florence), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Naples (Amalfi/Pompeii), Italy; and Valletta, Malta.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
