Carnival Cruise Line has released details about Celebration Key, a new private beach development slated to open in the summer of 2025 on the south side of Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
Celebration Key will have its own dock, which can accommodate up to two of Carnival‘s largest ships at the same time. The line has revealed that the destination will be divided into five areas, known as portals, for passengers to enjoy. Featuring music, food and beachy fun, these spaces are designed with kids, adults and shopping in mind.
The port will eventually include a water park and zip lines, following a second wave of development.
“… we are designing Celebration Key, and its five portals, with endless ways for our guests to unlock their own kind of fun in this incredible paradise that also celebrates the beauty of Grand Bahama,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a statement.
Here’s a rundown of everything we know so far about what you can expect from each portal during a visit to this new Bahamas port option.
Note: Information on which food options will be complimentary and whether or not keycards can be used for purchases ashore is not yet available.
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Welcome Portal
In this area of Celebration Key, visitors will be greeted with music, a giant sandcastle structure (which serves as a focal point of the destination) and all the information they’ll need about their day ashore.
Family-Friendly Portal
In addition to a family-friendly beach, this area of Celebration Key will feature a freshwater lagoon-style swimming pool, a splash area with a shallow pool for younger kids, dual racing waterslides (which are part of the same sandcastle structure that welcomes visitors to the destination) and sports courts.
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Families wanting their own exclusive space can pay to take advantage of the area’s extra-fee cabana rentals, which feature alcoves on the beach, cabanas with their own slides into the lagoon and even floating cabanas.
Plus, the Family-Friendly Portal has its own dedicated dining venues, so you’ll never be far away from a bite to eat.
Adult-Friendly Portal
Like the Family-Friendly Portal, the Adult-Friendly Portal offers access to the same three types of added-fee cabanas. It will also feature a swim-up bar ideal for cruisers who are spending their day at the beach or in the lagoon, complete with DJ-spun music that’s sure to evoke a party vibe. But, despite its name, this area is not an adults-only space.
In addition to drinks, guests can enjoy food from several eateries, including a full-service sit-down restaurant that serves Bahamian cuisine.
Private Club Portal
If relaxation and exclusivity are what you’re seeking — or if you’d like to leave the kids behind — the adults-only Private Club Portal is your spot. It offers a more serene ambience, complete with loungers, plenty of shade and a distinct lack of loud music, as well as more upscale dining experiences.
Oh, and did we mention it’s got an infinity pool? If you’d rather laze on the sand, you can seek out the portal’s beach. Carnival tells us the beach area will feature premier and private sections, but descriptions of those are not yet available, nor is information about whether there will be a cost to enter.
Retail Portal
As you might expect, the Retail Portal is home to Celebration Key’s shopping opportunities, featuring locally made handicrafts and duty-free items.
While you browse, enjoy colorful murals painted by local Bahamian artists or grab food or drinks from one of the portal’s several dining and beverage options.
Bottom line
More than 500 upcoming Carnival Cruise Line itineraries across 18 vessels have Celebration Key as a port of call. What that means is you’re likely to be able to experience a visit if you’re planning to book a Bahamas sailing in 2025 or beyond.
With Celebration Key, Carnival joins a growing list of cruise lines working on developing new private port options throughout 2024 and 2025. Watch this space for more specifics on Celebration Key as they’re released.
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