As the days roll closer to the opening of Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line continues to reveal more details about exactly what passengers can expect.
Already we know that the new private destination being built on Grand Bahama Island will feature a mile of beach, have a massive lagoon, feature an adults-only private beach club, and the capability to handle two of Carnival’s largest ships on a single day.
Now, we’re getting a glimpse into where all those thousands of people will eat.
Carnival just unveiled that Celebration will feature a staggering 30 places across the destination to eat and drink. This includes everything from full-service restaurants to food trucks to a dozen bars for passengers to enjoy. (One drawback: Remember your drink package doesn’t extend to Celebration Key.)
Here’s what passengers going ashore can expect…
A Run-Down of Celebration Key Restaurants
No matter if you want a sit-down meal or just to grab and go, you’ll have a ton of options.
Mingo’s Tropical Bar and Kitchen: Short for “flamingo,” Mingo’s will have waterfront dining for Bahamian food like fried fish and conch fritters, along with beach fare like burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and more. In addition, there’s a Mingo’s Express food truck for those that want a quick meal.
Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews: It doesn’t take much imagination to realize this spot will serve BBQ, along with craft beer from Bahamian brewers.
Gill’s Grill: A sit-down restaurant with full bar that offers up Caribbean seafood and more. You will be able to get seafood baskets, lobster, steamed crab and shrimp. They will also have chicken, burgers, and stuff for the kids.
Captain’s Galley Food Hall: Think of it as the ship’s buffet, but on shore. Here, there will be five different outlets that Carnival says will have burgers, hot dogs, chicken, Mediterranean bowls, pizza, and tacos/burritos.
Food trucks (nine trucks + five snack shacks): Carnival announced there will be a total of nine food trucks at Celebration Key. These will serve the classics like chicken sandwiches, burgers, and Bahamian conch fritters. Food trucks and multiple snack shares are located around the spot so that you never have to go far for something to eat.
Bars: Carnival revealed there will be a total of 12 different bars around Celebration Key. We imagine many will simply be a spot to grab a drink, but they highlighted Long Necks Bar, a 100-seat swim-up bar and Sunshine Swings Bar, an area where you can enjoy a drink while lounging on one of 40 swings.
In addition to the areas mentioned above, there’s the previously announced Pearl Cove Beach Club that will offer a full restaurant and bar. There will also be Suncastle Ground Coffee for those that want a little caffeine to perk up their day and Yumshine Scoops serving ice cream.
Some Food Will Be Included With Your Day… But Not All
One thing that Carnival also revealed is that all that food… well, it won’t all be free. This is something we had hinted could be possible, and this announcement confirms it to be the case.
Instead, the cruise line said they will introduce something called “Island Eats” meals. With these, you can scan your Sail & Sign card to get one free meal at certain locations. Here’s the official language from Carnival:
“Carnival guests will enjoy an “Island Eats” offering where each guest, utilizing their Sail & Sign card, may enjoy one complimentary “Island Eats” meal at quick casual outlets, snack shacks and food trucks across the destination or choose instead to receive 25 percent off one entrée per person at the full-service restaurants (excluding Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant).”
There is no word on pricing of items outside of Island Eats. Nor is there any word on what happens if you just want a snack instead of a full meal. But it does seem clear that if you’re expecting to simply be able to eat what you want when you want on Celebration Key, you’re going to be hit with a charge for anything past one meal.
