It’s always big news when a cruise line unveils a new ship. But what about when they welcome an entirely new destination?
That’s what’s happening in less than 60 days as Carnival Cruise Line is set to open its entirely new cruise port in The Bahamas: Celebration Key.
We first told you about this new project more than three years ago. The cruise line officially broke ground in May 2022 and expected to have the spot open by late 2024. Since then the schedule has been adjusted and pushed to an opening during this summer.
Now, the official opening date is July 19, 2025 with CruiseMapper.com showing Carnival Vista making the first official passenger stop at Celebration Key.
Carnival’s Biggest and Boldest Private Destination
So what’s the big deal about the opening of this private destination? It promises to offer one of the best options for passengers looking for a beach stop in The Bahamas that’s dedicated solely to passengers of the cruise line.
Once completed, Celebration Key will have the ability to handle two of Carnival’s largest ships at once. Totaling more than 300 acres, it’s larger than rival Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.
Within the Celebration Key, located on Grand Bahama Island, will be two massive “lagoons” that are some of the largest pools you’ll find anywhere. There is a massive splash pad for kids, sports and games pavilions, and roughly a mile stretch of beach for passengers to enjoy. (See all the amenities here.)
Celebration Key will have 30 different places in the port to eat and drink, serving everything from BBQ to conch fritters. There will be a food hall, but also sit-down restaurants, snack shacks, and food trucks. Bars include swim-up areas where you can have a drink without having to get out of the pool.
The destination will also have an adults-only private club called the Pearl Cove Beach Club featuring its own 11,000 square foot infinity pool, restaurant, and private beach.
And for kids (or let’s be honest, adults too) there will also be two 350-foot waterslides from the resort’s 10-story “Suncastle” that serves as its most distinguishing feature.
You can read so much more about Celebration Key in our articles where we’ve covered everything about the new spot:
- Carnival Shares Sneak Peek of Celebration Key Progress Just Months Until Opening
- Celebration Key Price List (Cabanas, Daybeds, and More)
- Carnival Reveals Details of its MASSIVE Pool Area Coming to Celebration Key
A New Port in Heavy Rotation
If you can’t make it on Carnival Vista to be among the first visitors to Celebration Key, don’t worry. The cruise line is making the port a major feature of tons of itineraries.
In fact, despite not opening until midway through July, the cruise line says there will be 80 visits this summer between its opening date and Labor Day. That comes out to roughly two ships visiting every day.
In other words, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to take a visit to the new port and experience everything for yourself.
