Carnival Cruise Line is just five months away from debuting its highly-anticipated private destination, Celebration Key. To mark this exciting milestone, the cruise line has released new videos and construction progress photos to share in their excitement.
Carnival's new stunning beach resort will officially open on July 19, 2025, to its first guests after years of planning and construction. The first Carnival cruise ship scheduled to visit Celebration Key is Carnival Vista, although the pier can accommodate up to two Excel class ships at the same time. The cruise line plans to expand the pier in 2026 to provide enough infrastructure for four ships to dock at once in Celebration Key.
The brand-new private destination will only be accessible to Carnival Cruise Line guests in the Bahamas. In terms of size, Celebration Key is massive, expanding across 65 acres on the south side of Grand Bahama Island. Comparatively, Celebration Key is about half the size of Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which spans 125 acres.
Images from Celebration Key show the beach resort nearing completion, with many of the signature portals starting to come to life. In fact, Celebration Key will feature five portals to paradise, which will include thrilling water slides, beautiful beaches, immersive cultural experiences, pool parties, beach clubs, and artisan retail shopping.
Here’s a first look at some of the progress Carnival has made with Celebration Key, including the construction of the private destination’s five different portals to paradise.
Celebration Key's Construction Progress
In a recent announcement from the company, the cruise line shares how Carnival Corporation & plc’s Chief Executive Officer Josh Weinstein and Chief Maritime Officer Lars Ljoen recently joined Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for a behind-the-scenes tour of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama.
In the press release from Carnival Corporation, Duffy said, ”Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with The Bahamas, so seeing it transform from vision to reality is incredible.”
"We broke ground on this site less than three years ago, and now in five short months we'll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them to celebrate and enjoy this gorgeous place on Grand Bahama,” she continued.
Carnival states nearly 500 workers are on the site daily during the construction process, working round-the-clock to prepare Celebration Key for its opening this summer. The private destination is designed to deliver Carnival’s signature brand of fun while still honoring the local culture and heritage of the Bahamas.
"This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama's natural environment," said Weinstein in the press release.
Carnival also emphasized the importance of supporting Grand Bahama through new job creation and economic development. The company shares how approximately 28 Bahamian companies have already contributed to the project for Celebration Key. Local Bahamians will help support daily operations at Celebration Key, too.
The press release also mentions the company's focus on sustainability - another critical component of Celebration Key. Weinstein commented specifically on the cruise line’s implementation of sustainability practices with its new private destination. In fact, during the leadership visit, team members planted palm trees from the “Plant a Tree” communicate engagement program. The program launched last year as part of the cruise line's sustainability practices.
The preservation initiative involves replanting thousands of native trees across the property, including 1,000 sable palms that were saved and replanted across Celebration Key. Thousands of other native plants were planted at Celebration Key.
Western emphasized, ”It's clear Celebration Key will be a game-changer for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it's also truly great to see firsthand how we're implementing our company's robust sustainability initiatives on land.”
Paradise Plaza and Suncastle Tower
The video shared by Carnival showcases the progress of all five portals at Celebration Key, starting with Paradise Plaza and the famous Suncastle structure. After guests disembark, they will arrive to the first portal: Paradise Plaza. The welcome area will feature live music, a Bahamian-themed fountain, and an ice-cream shop as guests begin navigating the resort area.
Serving as the centerpiece of Celebration Key, the Suncastle stands more than ten stories above ground. Guests will first encounter the structure upon entering the resort area from the pier after disembarking their cruise ship. Carnival describes this tower as a “much-larger-than-life sandcastle” to greet cruisers.
The Suncastle is more than just a pretty structure, as it will be home to racing waterslides. These water thrills will be part of the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon portal at Celebration Key. Two 350-foot waterslides will race through the Suncastle, named the Flash Flamingo and Mach III Marlin.
In the images released by Carnival, we can see the soon-to-be-iconic structure still under construction. As a nod to the maritime tradition of keel laying, photos and videos were shared of Duffy and Weinstein embedding a commemorative key in the signature Suncastle during their visit.
During the announcement of Celebration Key, Duffy explained, ”When guests see our Suncastle as they arrive at Celebration Key, they'll know immediately they're in for big FUN. Paradise Plaza will be the perfect welcome spot and will set the tone for the entire visit to this truly unique destination.”
Starfish Lagoon
Carnival caters to a family-friendly demographic, so it’s no surprise the cruise line has created a special portal for families. The Starfish Lagoon will be the ultimate family-friendly portal with water activities suitable for all ages.
Designed with families in mind, Starfish Lagoon is meant to accommodate kids and adults alike. Filled with splash pads, water play areas, fountains, racing waterslides, and floating loungers, Starfish Lagoon is the perfect zone for families to spend their day relaxing and playing together.
The construction of Starfish Lagoon shows the expansive space for kids, including the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. During the milestone visit, Duffy participated in a ceremonial filling of one of the two expansive freshwater lagoons.
According to the cruise line, the lagoons span over seven acres and hold nearly seven million gallons of water. These freshwater pools will be sustained by Celebration Key’s desalination system to convert seawater into freshwater.
The expansive freshwater lagoon has plenty of space for kids to swim and enjoy water activities all day. In addition, the lagoon represents the cruise line’s commitment to sustainability practices.
Guppy Grotto is another dedicated space for kids in the Starfish Lagoon, which includes a wading pool, dump bucket, and coral reef-themed structures throughout. Other features of the lagoon include a sports court and gaming pavilion for games, activities, and recreational play.
Starfish Lagoon will also have a dedicated beach area with private cabanas to accommodate families. The portal is designed to strike a balance between recreational play and relaxation for families.
Read more: 6 big changes coming to Carnival Cruise Line in 2025
Calypso Lagoon
Next in Carnival’s first-look video is Calypso Lagoon, the ultimate retreat for those seeking a kid-free experience. This adult-focused portal at Celebration Key offers a party atmosphere where guests can enjoy an “enhancing style of Caribbean music, a pristine stretch of beach, a freshwater lagoon, and so much more.”
Calypso Lagoon is expected to be one of the most popular areas at the resort, as Carnival Cruise Line is known for cultivating a party-like atmosphere aboard its cruise ships. That energy continues on land, ensuring the fun doesn’t stop when guests step off the ship at Celebration Key.
Within Calypso Lagoon is an adults-only section. This dedicated area is exclusively reserved for adults, requiring those to be 18+ for admission and 21+ for alcohol consumption. In this area, guests are sure to love listening to the island DJ playing party hits throughout the day.
A swim-up bar is also located in this portal for those wanting a tropical cocktail while swimming. Relaxing experiences are available for adults too, like loungers and exclusive beach access. One of the more unique experiences in this portal is the swing bar, allowing guests to sip on a drink while swinging with their tows in the water.
One of the photos released by Carnival shows the view from inside the Lagoon Supervillas in Calypso Lagoon. Cabanas rentals and daybeds will be available too, along with a full-service restaurant serving a variety of food. From these images, it looks like Calypso Lagoon will be the best place to party at Celebration Key!
Pearl Cove Beach Club
Adults looking for a more exclusive, upscale experience on Celebration Key can retreat to the Pearl Cove Beach Club. Carnival’s recently shared first-look video reveals ongoing construction at this premium beach retreat.
This portal is an adults-only resort designed for guests 18 years or older. The premium experience requires a reservation, with access starting at $99 per person. Guests are only permitted to the beach club with purchased access, which is available in the cruise planner prior to sailing.
For an additional charge, guests can purchase an all-inclusive or open bar package for the beach club, priced at $179.99 and $139.99 respectively. The top-tier package for Pearl Cove Beach Club includes a premium lunch and open bar with up to 10 drinks, while the open bar package grants access to drinks only. All guests receive a welcome drink or cocktail upon arrival at the beach club.
With access to the Pearl Cove Beach Club, guests will also receive an array of amenities, including a full-service restaurant and open bar.
Meant to be the ultimate paradise experience, Pearl Cove Beach Club features an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool with ocean views and crystal-clear ocean water on the beachfront. The infinity pool can be seen nearing completion in Carnival's video. Guests will even receive service from friendly staff who will bring food or drink anywhere within the club.
The infinity pool appears perfectly situated on the beach with sweeping ocean views. Beachfront cabanas will also be available, which can also be seen in the newly released video.
Lokono Cove
The final portal in Carnival’s first-look video is construction progress on Lokono Cove. Carnival is committed to celebrating the Bahamian culture at Celebration Key. This vibrant portal will be home to an artisan retail village, which will feature local art and handmade goods for guests.
Lokono Cove will immerse visitors in authentic Bahamian culture and craftsmanship. Positioned near the Suncastle, the village draws inspiration from Grand Bahama’s earliest settlers. The Lucayans, known for their artistry and peaceful island lifestyle, are honored throughout this vibrant space.
Guests can shop for locally made goods and homemade treasures among the charming shops and a Bahamian straw market. Carnival is hoping visitors will immerse themselves in the culture of Lokono Cove. This portal will feature vibrant wall murals, which will be pained by local artists. Cultural exhibits will also be available, including information on Bahamian crafts and local ceramics.
“Lokono Cove will be a treasure trove – a place for our guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of The Bahamas and find locally-inspired keepsakes, symbols of paradise they can share with loved ones, or cherish for themselves for years to come,” Duffy said.
“Honoring the beauty and culture of the Bahamas is integral to our plans for Celebration Key, and that will be on display throughout Lokono Cove. It’s a special honor that locals from Grand Bahama have contributed already in an impactful way, giving this portal its name.”
Along with the craft village, Carnival says Lokono Cove will serve as a gateway to Grand Bahama Island outside of Celebration Key. Guests get out on their own or with Carnival’s shore excursions. In this way, Lokono Cove will be the departure point for guests looking to explore areas other than Celebration Key.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
