I've been visiting cruise line private destinations since 2010. However, in recent years, they've exploded in popularity, with companies transforming basic beaches into resort-style escapes complete with massive pools, upscale clubs, and more
Recently, Carnival Cruise Line opened a brand-new private destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key. Situated on Grand Bahama Island, this $600 million complex is filled with relaxing beaches, a large freshwater pool, private cabanas, waterslides, and more.
Unlike Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key isn't a private island. Rather, it is a purpose-built cruise port experience available exclusively to Carnival guests. This gives the cruise line full control over the guest experience while still allowing passengers to go off and explore the surrounding areas.
There's no denying that Carnival did a great job of bringing its vision to life, competing with ports like Perfect Day at CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay.
Still, despite its overall appeal, Carnival's Celebration Key didn't quite win me over. Here's what visiting the new private cruise destination is like — and why I'm hesitant to return.
Carnival drink packages do not work ashore
Unlike many other cruise line private islands, Carnival doesn't let guests use their drink package ashore. This means that if you shelled out $70+ per day for the CHEERS! package, you'll have to pay for cocktails, beer, and soda at Celebration Key.
During my seven-night Mardi Gras cruise, I bought the Bottomless Bubbles soda package, and although I could enjoy unlimited fountain drinks on the ship, its benefits did not carry over to Celebration Key.
As such, I had to think ahead and pack a can of Diet Coke in my beach bag before heading off the ship. Otherwise, I would have been more inclined to stick with the limited complimentary options, rather than splurging on fountain beverages that I could get for "free" back on board.
Read more: Is the Carnival soda package worth it? What's included, cost, and review
Celebration Key food isn't unlimited
Celebration Key has multiple fast-casual stalls and food trucks offering a variety of cuisine, ranging from build-your-own burrito bowls to pizza, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and more. The options are mouthwatering, yet Carnival limits guests to just one complimentary meal.
Carnival's Island Eats program provides everyone with one meal credit for an entrée, a side, and a chocolate chip cookie at select venues — with others, such as Gill's Grill and Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen, costing extra.
From a food waste perspective, the limitations make sense and likely help manage overall consumption. However, from a guest experience standpoint, it felt restrictive compared to other private destinations (i.e., CocoCay and Half Moon Cay) where food is available throughout the day at the buffet.
If you order something you don’t like back on the ship, it is easy to pivot and grab something else, whether that's a slice of pizza, tacos, or a juicy burger.
However, once you have used your complimentary meal ashore at Celebration Key, your options are limited. You can either eat what you ordered, return to the ship, or pay for something else.
Personally, while the build-your-own Mexican bowl was perfectly fine, I would have preferred a soft-serve ice cream cone instead of a chocolate chip cookie. That would have cost extra, though, and there's plenty of complimentary ice cream on the ship.
Read more: Carnival Celebration Key Menus
Not much to do beyond lounging and swimming
Beyond the beach and pool, there isn't much to do. Even if you splurge on the ridiculous $15 waterslides, most of the excursions are water-based. Comparatively, Perfect Day at CocoCay has a greater mix of activities, from the large waterpark to the zip line and jet skis.
If spending all day by the pool is your thing, Celebration Key is easy to enjoy and fall in love with. However, because of its current lack of amenities, the experience could feel repetitive after one or two visits.
That said, Carnival already has expansion plans in the works to the east of Starfish Lagoon and Starfish Beach. Depending on how the cruise line plans to develop this land, it could introduce more variety and add more thrills to the private destination.
Nobody was enforcing the age limit at Calypso Lagoon
Calypso Lagoon is the adult-focused half of the pool for guests aged 13 and older. During our visit, however, that rule was not actively enforced.
We frequently saw younger children splashing around in the pool, likely because the Calypso section was far less crowded than the family-friendly side.
Still, it didn't completely ruin the vibe since the pool is so massive, but it slightly took away from what Carnival advertised it to be.
While Celebration Key isn't my favorite cruise private destination, I understand why so many people love it
Cruise destinations, Celebration Key included, are appealing because they remove the usual friction and hassle of a standard port day. You don't have to plan excursions, find transportation, or figure out where you want to go.
Instead, all you have to do is step off the ship, walk off the pier, and you're just seconds away from beautiful beaches and a sprawling pool.
So, if you prioritize convenience, Celebration Key delivers. Everything you need — from pool chairs to umbrellas, beverages, and food — is easy to access without much planning.
However, when I spend a day at a cruise-curated destination, I don’t want to feel I'm being pushed toward upgrades or extra purchases, whether that's a private cabana, adults-only escape, drinks, or food.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
