Carnival Just Opened Celebration Key, With Crystal Water, Local Flavors and a Port Made Just for Cruise Guests

You step off the ship and into another world. The beach stretches in front of you, lined with palm trees and pastel-colored shops. Steel drums echo softly from a beachfront bar. The scent of cracked conch drifts in the breeze. And just ahead, your private cabana is waiting — perched beside a calm turquoise bay that seems made for swimming.

This is not your average cruise port or private Caribbean destination. It’s something new. This is Celebration Key, Carnival’s brand-new private destination on the island of Grand Bahama — and it’s about to change the way you think about sea days.

A Cruise Destination Built from the Ground Up

After years of development and planning, Celebration Key (a $600 million project) is ready to welcome guests, officially in soft opening. The first Carnival ship is scheduled to dock on July 19, carrying more than 7,000 passengers. It’s not a shared port of call, nor a minor stop on a crowded itinerary — it’s a purpose-built retreat designed exclusively for Carnival cruise passengers.

This is Carnival’s largest dedicated cruise port ever, created from the ground up to deliver a full day of island escape. And it shows in every detail: from the two massive piers built to accommodate the line’s newest and largest ships, to the beach clubs, dining areas, and excursions tailored to today’s traveler.

The design of Celebration Key isn’t just practical — it’s immersive. Every corner of the space was created to feel vibrant, local, and relaxed. Whether you’re spending the day on a lounger, sipping tropical cocktails by the sea, or browsing shops filled with Bahamian-made goods, you’ll feel like you’ve actually arrived in the Caribbean — not just pulled into a cruise pier.

Everything You Need for the Perfect Cruise Day

At its core, Celebration Key was designed to offer everything travelers want out of a Caribbean beach day — without needing to rush or leave the port to find it.

There are multiple beach zones, from wide open sands with loungers to private cabana areas tucked into the coastline. Families will find plenty of space to spread out. Couples can retreat to shaded nooks and VIP areas. And food and drink? Carnival’s made sure you won’t go hungry. Expect local flavors like jerk barbecue and conch fritters, ice-cold daiquiris, and beachside bars ready to serve all day long.

For those looking for something more active, excursions and guided tours are available — both inside the port and beyond. But Celebration Key is just as enjoyable for travelers who want to stay close to the ship and soak up the sun in a place that feels elevated, not overcrowded.

Not a Private Island — But More Than Just a Cruise Port

Carnival has long had access to private destinations like Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove, but Celebration Key represents something bigger — a flagship port that reflects the cruise line’s evolution.

This is a multi-use, multi-ship destination, with infrastructure to support up to 5,500 guests per day. Carnival has said this port will be a focal point for many of its Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries in the years to come.

What that means for travelers is simple: if you’re booking a Carnival cruise from Florida, you’re likely to stop here — and soon. It’s set to become one of the most high-profile cruise ports in the Caribbean, and early visitors will get a chance to experience it before the crowds catch up.

For now, Celebration Key offers something rare: a new port where every detail is fresh, and every space is designed with the guest experience in mind. No long waits, no need to negotiate taxis or local logistics. You’re simply there — in paradise — from the moment you step off the ship.

How to Visit Celebration Key (And What It Costs)

The easiest way to visit Celebration Key is to book a Carnival cruise that includes it as a port of call. While the port officially opens July 19, more itineraries are being added each month. Carnival ships from Port Canaveral, Miami, and other Florida homeports will regularly include Celebration Key as a stop, with some Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises featuring extended port times to allow guests to enjoy the full day.

As of now, Celebration Key is only accessible to Carnival guests. That means no outside passengers, no cross-cruise visits — just Carnival ships and the travelers on them. If you’re loyal to the line or considering a new cruise vacation, it’s quickly becoming one of the best reasons to choose a Carnival sailing.

And as the port continues to expand, so will its offerings — including more dining, more beach zones, and eventually more excursions tailored to Carnival guests. Whether you’re planning your next family vacation or just want a new Caribbean escape to look forward to, Celebration Key is a name to watch.

For example, one of the first cruises stopping in Celebration Key is a three-day Bahamas cruise on July 25; rates for that cruise start at $1,066 per room for an interior stateroom. The price goes up to $1,318 for an ocean-view room. (The rest of the room options are sold out).