Latest news with #CelebrationKey
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Review Of Celebration Key, Carnival's New Private Island Destination
The grand unveiling of Celebration Key, Carnival's new private island destination Carnival Last Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line unveiled Celebration Key, its new private island destination, in festive style with rousing music from the Bahama Brass Band, kaleidoscopic fireworks, a surprise appearance from Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal, and a symbolic turning of a 'key' to unlock the 10-story Suncastle, Celebration Key's towering crown jewel. Celebration Key's 10-story Suncastle at Paradise Plaza Carnival Excitement ran high among the nearly 5,000 passengers on the inaugural eight-night sailing on Carnival Vista from Port Canaveral to Celebration Key. The same could be said for Carnival employees, too, since the destination was twenty-five years in the making. Beyond logistics, like securing the rights to the land and partnering with the Bahamian government, Carnival took its time to ensure the $600 million destination truly catered to its longtime fans. 'We designed this with our guest in mind and what they love to do,' shared Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line's president. Celebration Key's Starfish Lagoon is home to one of the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons. Carnival In contrast to Carnival's other private destination, Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key is bigger, livelier, and more family-friendly. Stretched across 379 acres—complimentary trams are available for scooting around—the leisure destination can currently berth two ships, regardless of size, whereas Half Moon Cay can only be accessed via tender. (Celebration Key's second phase will add two additional berths.) Another perk is having direct access to Grand Bahama Island. 'Many other exclusive destinations are isolated,' said Duffy. 'There's transportation right here if you want to get to the main city of Freeport.' Celebration Key's Pearl Cove Beach Club is the largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination. Katie Chang With five distinct areas, Celebration Key has, in Duffy's words, 'fun for all.' Anchored by the Suncastle, Paradise Plaza serves as the island's entry point with a desk for booking shore excursions. Created with families in mind, Starfish Lagoon is home to one of the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons, a splash pad called Guppy Grotto, Suncastle's two water slides (additional costs apply), and cabanas and loungers for laying out. Like Starfish Lagoon, the adult-friendly Calypso Lagoon also has a massive lagoon, along with a DJ island, Swings Bar with 50 swings, and the world's largest swim-up bar. Lokono Cove celebrates Bahamian culture with colorful murals and retail stalls from local artisans (Coco Baya Craft Studio, Adonis Bahamas) selling jewelry, straw goods, and other handcrafted items. A premium experience for adults, Pearl Cove Beach Club (pricing starts at $179.99 per guest) is a tranquil retreat with its own infinity pool, dedicated beach area, restaurant and bar, and swim-up bar. Mingo's Tropical Bar & Kitchen is one of Celebration Key's sit-down restaurants. Katie Chang With multiple sit-down restaurants, food trucks—where you order from kiosks—and Captain's Galley Food Hall scattered across the island, Celebration Key makes sure guests don't have to look far when hunger kicks in. Guests can use their Sail & Sign card for one complimentary meal (an entree, drink, and cookie) at a designated outlet, or a twenty-five percent discount towards a single entree at a full-service restaurant. As for what to expect, the food runs the gamut from basic burgers to Bahamian specialties. The sit-down restaurant Mingo's Tropical Bar & Kitchen, for example, prepares conch in fritters, chowder, and ceviche, alongside locally caught fish and lobster, while Captain's Galley Food Hall is best suited for a quick and casual bite. The infinity pool at Celebration Key's Pearl Cove Beach Club Carnival As with any leisure destination, especially a new one, it's best to do a little planning in advance: how much money do you want to spend, and how do you want to spend the day with so many options? As Duffy puts it, 'Whether you want to have a meal at Mingo's looking at this beautiful view and get back on the ship, or hang in the infinity pool at the exclusive beach club all day, there's something for everyone.'
Travel Weekly
22-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Sponsored Video: The Latest Updates On a New Private Island Destination
Sponsored Video: The Latest Updates On a New Private Island Destination | Janet Wygert, the newly promoted Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Marketing for Carnival Cruise Line, shares her passion for the cruise industry and her dedication to travel advisors. She also provides insight into her plans for her 38th year in the Carnival family as she leads her growing trade sales team. Janet chats with Northstar's EVP of Marketing and Partnerships, Mary Pat Sullivan, to share the latest developments, the new Funnel Favs program for advisors and all the latest updates on the new private island destination, Celebration Key.
Associated Press
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE OPENS $600M CELEBRATION KEY, ITS SPECTACULAR NEW EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION
Carnival Vista Makes First Official Visit with Nearly 5,000 Guests CELEBRATION KEY, The Bahamas, July 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line officially unlocked paradise as it opened Celebration Key – the cruise line's beautiful new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama this weekend. Carnival Vista made the first official visit to the world's newest premier cruise port on Saturday, and nearly 5,000 guests experienced all the fun of Celebration Key: from the unique Suncastle, the world's tallest sandcastle, the world's largest swing and swim-up bar and the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons. Highlights from the special day can be seen here. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal and Carnival Vista Captain Paolo Severini turned the key that 'unlocked' the gates to the iconic 10-story Suncastle, home to two thrilling racing waterslides. They also cut the ribbon to open Lokono Cove, the shopping village; and O'Neal made the first shot at the basketball court; followed by a champagne toast at Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only retreat. The ceremony was livestreamed and can be watched here. 'Opening this new exclusive destination marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come. 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,' said Duffy. 'We've built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.' There are five areas to explore, including: Guests will find more than 30 food and beverage venues across the destination, offering something for everyone, and will be treated to a variety of live entertainment that includes Junkanoo parades, roaming rake-and-scrape musicians, DJs and all-day beach games. For private relaxation, a wide variety of cabanas, daybeds and villas are available and sports courts, water activities and shore excursions are available to those seeking action and adventure. Guests simply looking for a perfect beach day will enjoy over one mile of pristine, white sand beach overlooking the beautiful Bahamian waters. Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million guests a year to Grand Bahama. By 2028, this number is expected to grow to four million. The economic impact for Grand Bahama is substantial, with hundreds of long-term jobs created by daily operations. The destination features an adjacent cruise pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival's largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate two additional ships. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line
Travel Weekly
20-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Carnival Cruise Line welcomes the first passengers to Celebration Key
CELEBRATION KEY, Bahamas -- Under a sweltering Bahamian sun on Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line hosted the first cruise passengers at its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key. Carnival president Christine Duffy called it a day more than 25 years in the making, and it began with pomp and circumstance to match. A Bahamian band paraded the pier from the Carnival Vista to the shore, and Carnival brand ambassador/chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal made an appearance. "This truly is just the beginning," Duffy said during opening remarks. "We will have visits from 20 Carnival cruise ships from 10 different U.S. homeports calling here." On the Record: Carnival president Christine Duffy Following Duffy's welcome, a burst of fireworks and color exploded from the island's towering sandcastle structure, which then provided confirmation of functioning fire alarms. That was followed by the official ribbon-cutting. O'Neal visited the destination's basketball court, shooting some of its first hoops and placing his hands in a mold, which will be cemented. When they visit, guests will be able to see how large their hands are compared to Shaq's. Carnival anticipates 2 million guests in Celebration Key's first year and up to 4 million annually by 2028. The 68-acre accessible portion of the property is segmented into five portals and includes a 350 million gallon freshwater pool, the 10-story sandcastle structure with two waterslides, beach access and a pay-to-access beach club section with a pool. The project was a $600 million investment, and as Duffy brought up Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein during her remarks, she smirked, saying, "Josh, thank you for $600 million." Weinstein immediately quipped, "And it's going to make us $6 billion." A Bahamian band paraded the pier at Celebration Key's grand opening. Photo Credit: Teri West Celebration Key can currently support two ships at a time. Cruise guests may opt for a complementary lunch from a food truck or for 25% off an entrée at one of the island's restaurants. Cabanas and villas of varying sizes are available to rent throughout. Matilda Patterson and her family opted for a cabana set back from the water in the kid-friendly Starfish Lagoon section, which she said they rented for $399. They were pleased with the fruit, chips and salsa and beverages included as well as the hospitality on the island. "Everyone's been so friendly," Patterson said. "They seem so happy we're here."
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Private island wars: Cruise lines are betting big on land destinations
"Even the themes of, like, the slides and the beaches, it just seemed like an extension of the cruise ship, which is kind of a different vibe than other ports and was cool for me to experience," he told USA TODAY. The destination offers an exclusive experience packed with activities as part of many Royal Caribbean sailings, and has been a hit with guests. The high seas have long been cruise lines' primary domain, but many are investing more heavily in land-based destinations to complement their offerings at sea. A major new competitor to CocoCay, Carnival Cruise Line's Celebration Key - with five distinct areas or "portals" across 65 acres - will launch later this month on Grand Bahama. Here's why cruise lines are betting big on private island destinations. Why are cruise lines leaning into private islands? Cruise lines have had exclusive destinations for decades, but Royal Caribbean was the first to, "shall we say, put these private islands on steroids," said Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure analyst with Truist Securities. The company's private island, previously just CocoCay, was relaunched in 2019 following a $250 million renovation. The destination has water slides, pools, a zip line, cabanas, dining venues and bars, and more. Scholes likened it to a "mini Caribbean" theme park. "They took a lot of risk and nobody really believed them until they saw it, and lo and behold, it was a real grand slam," he said. Royal Caribbean International's chief marketing officer, Kara Wallace, told USA TODAY in October that of more than 250 ports its ships visit, CocoCay is "the number one highest-rated destination." "I think their competitors, that certainly being Carnival ... really took a cue from Royal Caribbean and said, 'Wow, Royal Caribbean really hit a home run and we're going to try to emulate that,'" Scholes said. Carnival did not immediately share a comment. With more destinations around the world pushing back against overtourism and the potential for geopolitical impacts on itineraries, private islands can offer a more undefined, convenient alternative, according to Marilyn Macallair, a cruise travel analyst for Phocuswright. "Now private destinations are becoming destinations in themselves," she said. Cruise line private island destinations include: Castaway Cay in The Bahamas (Disney Cruise Line) Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas (Disney Cruise Line) Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas (Norwegian Cruise Line) RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas (Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line) Harvest Caye in Belize (Norwegian Cruise Line) Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas (MSC Cruises) Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises) Princess Cays in The Bahamas (Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line) What are the benefits of cruise line private islands? Owning or leasing a destination allows cruise lines to control almost every aspect of the experience, Macallair noted, from which ships stop there and when, to the look of the facilities and the food and drink pricing. While many activities and amenities are complimentary - and onboard drink packages often still apply - plenty of others come at an upcharge, from excursions to cabana rentals and beach club passes. Admission to CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark, for example, costs extra, though prices vary by season (booked passengers can check rates for their specific sailing via My Royal Cruise). The availability of land in The Bahamas and its government's willingness to work with cruise lines make it a particularly attractive choice, Scholes said. Plus, it's easy to get to: Bimini, where Virgin Voyages' The Beach Club at Bimini is located, is just 50 miles from Florida. Macallair also noted that the Caribbean remains in high demand. In 2024, 43% of cruise guests visited the region, according to Cruise Lines International Association's most recent State of the Cruise Industry Report. Nearly 15 million passengers sailed on Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda cruises, up from 12.8 million in 2023. The future of cruises: Are mega-ships here to stay? For passengers, Macallair said the exclusivity is part of the appeal. Scholes echoed that, noting it makes that kind of experience relatively accessible, compared to other kinds of trips. "It's a really affordable way to go to a private island in the Caribbean for the day, whereas room rates and flights are really, really expensive," he said. That highly-managed setting can also be a drawback, though. While cruise lines often integrate local cultural elements - such as Junkanoo at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point - some visitors may find they lack the depth of immersion on offer at other ports of call. "I probably wouldn't go on a cruise for the sake of going back to CocoCay," said Huff. "Sure, if it stops there, it's an enjoyable stop. It's not something that would keep me from going on a cruise, but I would definitely prefer something more culturally immersive, something that I can go out and actually explore a country and, like, travel a little bit." Are cruise lines adding more private islands? Celebration Key is hardly the only land-based project underway. Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line recently announced that they would partner on enhancements to the private Bahamas destination Half Moon Cay. The changes, the first of which will be completed by summer 2026, include a new pier where ships can dock on its north side, added lunch venues and bars and a new name, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. and recently announced that they would partner on enhancements to the private Bahamas destination Half Moon Cay. The changes, the first of which will be completed by summer 2026, include a new pier where ships can dock on its north side, added lunch venues and bars and a new name, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., parent company of Norwegian , Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises , will also add a new welcome center, an island-wide tram system, an "extensive" new pool area and more to its Bahamas island, Great Stirrup Cay, the company said in an April news release. The upgrades are set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2025. , and , will also add a new welcome center, an island-wide tram system, an "extensive" new pool area and more to its Bahamas island, Great Stirrup Cay, the company said in an April news release. The upgrades are set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2025. Royal Caribbean has a slew of other land-based products launching over the next few years, too, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025; Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027. The company will also open a destination on the island of Lelepa in Vanuatu in 2027, with more details to come. has a slew of other land-based products launching over the next few years, too, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025; Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027. The company will also open a destination on the island of Lelepa in Vanuatu in 2027, with more details to come. MSC Group is developing an island near its existing Bahamas destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, as well, Travel Weekly reported. Scholes said there may come a time when the market is oversaturated with suped-up private islands. Given how long they take to develop, however, he said that's unlikely to happen for at least five years. "There's always the fear down the road that you sort of kill the golden goose by just (having) too many," he said. "We're not at that point yet." Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
