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Two Carnival cruise passengers drown hours apart at newly opened private Celebration Key resort
Two American tourists drowned hours apart at Carnival's private Bahamas resort on Friday, less than a month since the cruise line opened the $600 million Caribbean getaway destination.
Carnival officials told the Post that the 'water emergency incidents' involving guests traveling on two different ships happened at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island.
'Carnival lifeguards and medical teams working at the resort responded to both incidents, one occurring in the lagoon and the other at the beach,' a Carnival Cruise spokesperson said.
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The Carnival passengers were identified as a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, both American nationals, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who opened investigations into the deaths.
7 Carnival Cruise Line's Celebration Key private resort on Grand Bahama, Bahamas.
Christopher Sadowski
The unidentified man was snorkeling at the beach when he became unresponsive just before noon on Aug. 15, officials said.
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A lifeguard rushed to rescue the man from the water and brought him to shore, where CPR was administered, but the man was pronounced dead a short time later.
The second suspected drowning happened at around 2:30 p.m. when the 74-year-old tourist was found unresponsive while swimming in a pool.
Autopsies are being performed on both cruise passengers to determine the exact cause of death, officials said.
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Christopher Sadowski
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7 People swim in the freshwater lagoon at Celebration Key on Aug. 2, 2025.
Christopher Sadowski
One of the passengers had traveled to the Caribbean island with family on a six-day Eastern Bahama trip aboard the Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral, Fla.
The other passenger had traveled on the Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville, Fla., for a four-day trip.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our Care Team is providing assistance,' Carnival told the Post.
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7 Carnival's Mardi Gras docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 4, 2021.
TNS
7 Carnival Cruise Elation traveled from Jacksonville, Florida to Celebration Key before the fatal drownings.
Carnival Cruises
The fatal drownings happened less than a month after the luxurious resort opened on July 19.
Celebration Key, described as the 'Key to Paradise,' is an exclusive travel destination opened only for Carnival guests that features five marquee attractions, including the 'largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean.'
The hotspot features 275,000 square foot lagoons — Starfish and Calypso — and an 11,000 square foot infinity pool at the Pearl Cove Beach Club.
The adult-friendly Calypso Lagoon boasts 'the world's largest swim-up bar' with 166 seats.
7 The beach resort of Celebration Key with the main water slide attraction in the background.
Christopher Sadowski
7 Celebration Key, described as the 'Key to Paradise,' is a $600 million exclusive travel destination opened only for Carnival guests.
Christopher Sadowski
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The cruise line offers additional excursions during the stop, including paddleboarding, dining options and bars.
The newly opened resort has a pier with space for two ships to dock, with future plans looking to expand to hold additional ships.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy gushed over the $600 million investment as an 'extraordinary milestone' when the cruise line opened its doors to guests last month.
'Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it's a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings,' Duffy said. 'We've built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.'
