Carnival Cruise Line recently opened its newest adults-only beach club in The Bahamas. The exclusive retreat costs extra, so I spent a day there to see whether or not it's worth it.
Celebration Key is Carnival’s latest private destination, and it's exclusive to the cruise line's guests. It offers beaches, lagoons, swim-up bars, waterslides, and a whole lot more. It’s also where you’ll find Pearl Cove Beach Club, the cruise line’s brand-new adults-only getaway.
For an extra charge, guests can enjoy access to Pearl Cove Beach Club. It promises an elevated experience with an infinity pool, private beach, and on-site restaurant. The space is exclusive to guests 18 and older.
The promise of an adults-only retreat sounded enticing, so I booked a day pass there on my recent visit to Celebration Key.
During my day ashore, I loved the breathtaking ocean views and picture-perfect pool, but regretted not booking a more inclusive option.
Here’s my review of Pearl Cove Beach Club, and what I’d do next time to have an even better experience.
Read more: What I loved and hated at Celebration Key
I paid $100 for the cheapest day pass, but it wasn’t all-inclusive
There are three ways to access Pearl Cove Beach Club, and I booked the cheapest option.
My pass, Pearl Cove Beach Club Access, cost $99.99 and included entry into the club. Although a welcome drink is provided, all other food and beverage options cost extra.
The second option is the Pearl Cove Beach Club: Open Bar entry, which costs $139.99. This admission includes 10 drinks from a limited menu, but does not include lunch at the beach club’s restaurant. Drinks include rum punch, draft domestic beer, house red and white wine, all well drinks, and frozen strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas.
Lastly, the Pearl Cove Beach Club: All Inclusive entry costs $179.99 and includes 10 drinks along with lunch at the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant.
Note that the included drink options are only for guests 21 and older.
Because it was my first visit to Celebration Key, I opted for the cheapest option. I wanted to dip my toes in the water (literally) and see what the club has to offer before spending extra on a premium entry.
After getting off the ship, I took the tram to Pearl Cove Beach Club
There are two options for getting around Celebration Key: walking or taking the tram. The private destination operates two tram lines, which run from the entrance to the western and eastern sides of Celebration Key.
After a brisk 6-minute walk from the ship to the entrance, I opted to take a tram the rest of the way to Pearl Cove Beach Club. In the hot and humid July weather, the tram felt like a more comfortable option. Just two minutes later, I arrived at the entrance of Pearl Cove Beach Club, eager to check it out.
All guests must check in at the front desk, and the process was seamless.
On my visit, I had to show a paper shore excursion ticket, which I picked up from the Shore Excursions desk near the entrance of Celebration Key. In the future, though, Carnival plans to make these excursion tickets digital.
After checking in, I received a wristband to allow re-entry, and was offered a choice of two welcome beverages. I chose the alcoholic option, a fruity rum punch, and it was the perfect way to cool off as I started my day.
Read more: Carnival is experimenting with a big change to shore excursions
Immediately, I made my way to the infinity pool
Without a doubt, the pièce de résistance of Pearl Cove Beach Club is the infinity pool.
Nothing screams luxury quite like a sprawling infinity pool, and Carnival certainly made the right choice by incorporating one of these into their adults-only retreat. The 11,000-square-foot pool offers sweeping views of the turquoise Bahamian waters, and even features in-pool loungers for ultimate relaxation.
At one end of the pool is a swim-up bar, one of three bars at Pearl Cove Beach Club. The swim-up bar offers seating both in the water and on the sand, so it’s available to all guests whether they're inside or outside the pool.
While the bar was quiet earlier in the day, the energy picked up throughout the afternoon. A DJ plays music right next to the bar, and Carnival Cruise Line’s party vibes were definitely apparent.
Despite the music (and occasional chant of “shots!”), the infinity pool was still incredibly peaceful. It was hard to beat the refreshing water and gorgeous ocean views.
Next, I walked around Pearl Cove Beach, and it was bigger than I imagined
After spending time in the infinity pool, I took a walk around Pearl Cove Beach.
I was surprised by the length of the beach, as I initially expected it to be a small strip of sand directly in front of the infinity pool. Instead, it stretched further east than I imagined, helping to make the space feel even more exclusive and tranquil.
I can’t imagine the beach ever feeling crowded. On my visit, it remained relatively empty, as most passengers chose to relax near the pool instead.
Read more: Celebration Key vs Half Moon Cay
The pool and beach feature dozens of lounge chairs with umbrellas. These chairs are padded, and they are more comfortable than the chairs found elsewhere at Celebration Key.
In addition, all chairs come equipped with a pink towel, so guests don't need to bring their own pool towels ashore with them. Also on the beach are cabanas as well as kayaks, both of which come with an extra charge.
Despite the beauty of Pearl Cove Beach, I’m not sure I would spend my day there as opposed to the infinity pool. If I wanted a beach day, I would probably just visit a complimentary beach at Celebration Key instead, such as Calypso Beach or Starfish Beach.
To me, the infinity pool helps make Pearl Cove Beach Club worth the admission.
Next time, I’d purchase a more expensive option with included drinks
Throughout my day at Pearl Cove Beach Club, I regretted not spending extra for a more inclusive entry.
Even though the cheapest entry ticket allowed me to enjoy amenities like the infinity pool and beach, I wish I had purchased an option with included drinks.
For just $40 more, I could have purchased the Open Bar entry. With 10 drinks included, it would effectively make the price of each drink just $4 on top of my entry fee. Considering I purchased a single piña colada for $16, $140 for open bar access seemed like a steal.
I was glad I didn't book the all-inclusive option, however. For $179.99, I found the price somewhat steep. It still has a 10-drink limit, and even the “included” meal is limited, too.
You can only choose one entrée and dessert at the Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant, so it’s not entirely all-inclusive. The restaurant’s sushi bar isn’t included, either.
I grabbed a complimentary lunch outside of the beach club instead of dining at the on-site restaurant.
Read more: Carnival Celebration Key Menus
At $140, the open bar admission is the best deal at Celebration Key, and it makes Pearl Cove Beach Club worth it
Before I visited Pearl Cove Beach Club, I wondered whether it would be worth the extra cost. After all, Celebration Key offers plenty to do free of charge. There’s a huge lagoon, two beaches, complimentary lunch venues, and even sports activities like pickleball and volleyball courts.
For $100, I’m not sure my basic entry ticket was worth it. I appreciated the luxurious infinity pool and less crowded beach, but I still would have had a great time enjoying Celebration Key’s complimentary amenities.
Yet for $140, the open bar admission would definitely be worth the extra cost on every visit to Celebration Key.
If you’re planning to drink while ashore, there’s simply no better value than the open bar admission. At $140 for 10 drinks and entry to the adults-only area, you might actually save money compared to buying these drinks outside of the beach club.
Even if you think you’ll only have two or three drinks, you’ll still save money by buying the open bar admission rather than purchasing these drinks individually.
So, although I liked exploring Pearl Cove Beach Club, I’d definitely book a different ticket option on future visits. Once I realized how much more is included for just a little bit extra, I immediately regretted my cheap ticket.
Next time, I can’t wait to sip piña coladas at the infinity pool while overlooking this stunning Bahamian paradise.
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.
