Visiting Carnival’s Celebration Key? The new private destination is exciting passengers as it is like nothing else in the Carnival line-up.
Sitting just 120 miles from Miami, Celebration Key on Grand Bahama is a massive new development covering hundreds of acres. The area is designed to welcome multiple ships at once, offers roughly a mile of beaches, an enormous swimming area, shopping, waterslides, games, food, drinks, and tons more. This is a private stop designed only for cruise passengers and catering to their every need.
But private destinations like Celebration Key are also an opportunity for cruise lines to make money.
Make no mistake, there is plenty to enjoy for free during the day. However, Carnival also offers plenty of opportunities for passengers to spend. Everything from daybeds to cabanas to an exclusive adults-only beach club are available for passengers to enjoy… at a cost.
While pricing for everything isn’t released yet, Carnival has published some rates for a number of things around Celebration Key. This should give you an idea of some of the perks available and what they will cost.
Pearl Cove Beach Club
Pearl Cove Beach Club is a luxury adults-only area located on the western end of Celebration Key. The exclusive area features its own infinity pool, restaurant and beach. Packages are available that include everything from just admission to admission with drinks and admission with drinks and food.
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Access: $99.99 per person
- Pearl Cove Beach Club Open Bar: $139.99 per person
- Pearl Cove Beach Club All Inclusive (Drinks + Food): $179.99 per person
Daybeds
You can always find a lounger to sit, but what if you want your own reserved area that’s a little more comfortable and slightly more private? In that case, Carnival offers daybeds for two that allow you a spot to enjoy. There are several locations all around the area so you can find a spot that’s where you want to be. Prices are total for two people.
- Water Daybed at Calypso Lagoon (18+ area): $119.99
- Daybed at Calypso Lagoon (18+ area): $149.99
- Daybed at Starfish Beach: $149.99
- Daybed at Calypso Lagoon North: 149.99
- Daybed at Calypso Beach: $149.99
- Daybed at Calypso Lagoon South: $149.99
- Daybed at Starfish Lagoon North: $149.99
- Daybed at Starfish Lagoon South: $149.99
- Daybed at Starfish Splashpad: $149.99
Aquabanas
One unique place to enjoy are the Aquabanas located in the lagoon on Celebration Key. These floating areas are for up to eight people and sit out in the water with shade covering, seating areas, and a table. Prices are total for up to eight people.
- Aquabana at Starfish Lagoon: $449.99
Cabanas
Cabanas are a classic staple of any private destination these days and Celebration Key features them all around the area. The cabanas feature sofas, loungers, armchairs, lockers, a fan, and even your own attendant. You can choose different sizes, which offer admission for more people with the price tag. Cabana prices are for up to four people. Large cabana prices are for up to six.
- Cabana at Calypso Lagoon South: $599.99
- Cabana at Starfish Lagoon: $599.99
- Cabana at Calypso Lagoon 18+: $599.99
- Cabana at Starfish Splashpad: $599.99
- Over-the-Lagoon Cabana at Calypso Lagoon: $739.99
- Over-the-Lagoon Cabana at Starfish Lagoon: $739.99
- Over-the-Lagoon Cabana at Calypso Lagoon (18+ area): $739.99
- Large Cabana at Starfish Lagoon North: $899.99
- Large Cabana at Calypso Lagoon South: $899.99
- Large Cabana at Starfish Lagoon South: $899.99
- Large Cabana at Starfish Splashpad: $899.99
- Large Cabana at Calypso Lagoon (18+ area): $899.99
- Large Cabana at Calypso Lagoon North: $899.99
Super Villas
If you want the top of the line, then it’s one of a handful of Super Villas offered on Celebration Key. These are oversized cabanas with space for ten people. Book one and you’ll have an eight-seat sectional sofa, hammocks, six loungers, multiple lockers, multiple coolers, fans, and a stocked mini fridge (non-alcoholic drinks). You’ll also get snacks, lunch delivery, and your own attendant. Super villa prices are for up to 10 people.
- Super Villa at Calypso Beach (18+ area): $1,799.99
- Super Villa at Starfish Beach: $1,799.99
- Over the Lagoon Super Villa at Calypso Lagoon: $1,999.99
- Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa at Calypso Lagoon (18+ area): $1,999.99
- Over-the-Lagoon Super Villa at Starfish Lagoon $1,999.99
What Is Free to Do at Celebration Key?
With Celebration Key not opening until mid-2025, many of the details regarding costs aren’t yet available. However, all the following are items that are customarily included at private destinations and we would expect them to also be included in a stop at Celebration Key for no extra charge.
Lagoon/Pool: The centerpiece of Celebration Key is a massive lagoon — in this case one of the largest swim areas you’ll ever see. There are two sides — Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon. Starfish Lagoon is family friendly while Calypso Lagoon is designed more with adults in mind.
Whether you want to swim or just lounge and soak up the sun, this is the spot to do it and there shouldn’t be an admission charge to enjoy the day here.
Beach: If you build a private destination in The Bahamas, then it better have a beach. That’s definitely the case at Celebration Key. Passengers will be welcome to enjoy a “mile-long white sand beach.” There is a private beach at the Pearl Cove Beach Club that charges an admission fee, however, most places you should be able to swim and soak up the sun and not expect a charge.
Games: Around Celebration Key are places for kids (and adults!) to play, including a sport court with basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and a game pavilion with things like ping-pong and foosball. You can expect that these will be free of charge to play.
Splash Pad: Traveling with smaller kids? Carnival is installing a splash pad and pool near the lagoon for the little ones to play. You can expect this to be included with your day at the destination.
Waterslides/Observation Tower: The tallest point at Celebration key is a massive sandcastle — dubbed the “Suncastle” — that offers two waterslides and an observation deck. It’s not clear yet if there is a charge for access or not. However, we have not seen any hint that there will be a fee attached.
Is Food Free on Celebration Key?
Carnival hasn’t explicitly said whether food is included in your day or not. We do know that there will be a charge for at least some food. The Pearl Cove Beach Club offers an admission-only fee, but a higher fee for admission and lunch included.
As well, a request for food vendors on Carnival’s website for Celebration Key mentions that “guests will be charged for all F&B purchases. Grand Port will work jointly with Operators to
ensure competitive menu pricing.”
However, we’d be surprised if there is not at least a lunch buffet that’s included with your visit. This is a staple of any private spot you visit, including rival Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.
It hasn’t been announced just yet exactly what spots to eat will be available, but Carnival does say “there’s great dining for all, from food trucks to restaurants, with plenty of cuisine choices.”
Does the Drink Package Work on the Island?
If you want to enjoy drinks while visiting Celebration Key, then be ready to open your wallet. One thing we do know for sure is that the drink package from the ship will not extend to the destination.
Typically (though not always) cruise lines allow passengers to use the drink packages purchased on the ship while visiting private islands. This is essentially an extra day that you get to use the package.
Carnival says explicitly on their website the drink package excludes “beverages purchased off the ship at any port of call, including Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.”
You can always head back to the ship to grab a drink with the drink package, but that’s going to be inconvenient.
