Carnival’s Celebration Key is the crown jewel in the cruise line’s array of private destinations. Opened in 2025, the new port on Grand Bahama Island offers everything you could want for a day at the beach, including two huge pools (which the cruise line calls ‘lagoons’) to a half-mile of beach, waterslides, food, adults-only area and more.
So what are all the things you can do while visiting? We cover all your options to make sure it’s never a dull moment.
Get your Photo Taken to Remember Your Day
If you go on a cruise, you’re going to want some photos to remember it by. Celebration Key offers some amazing vantage points. You can start with the classic picture in front of the ship on the pier, but then there is also the arched Celebration Key entrance gate that also makes a great photo.
Even beyond that, there are several photo spots setup around the spot that are built for getting that perfect snapshot to remember your day, often with the ship in the background.
Let the Kids Play at the Splashpad
Have kids? Then you don’t want to miss the splashpad on Celebration Key. It features a ton of nozzles spraying water everywhere and even offers a shade canopy so you don’t have to worry (as much) about little ones getting sunburnt. We like that there’s also a shallow pool. So if the kids want to wade in some real water, they can with it still being shallow enough to stand.
You’ll find the splashpad just to the right of the entrance pier as you come ashore on Celebration Key
Get the Competition Going With Sports & Games
If hanging out at the beach or the pool isn’t what you want, what about a little friendly competition? Carnival has put a number of games around Celebration Key. You’ll find half-court basketball hoops, volleyball nets, and ping-pong tables. There is even a pickleball court on the backside of the Key if you’re a fan of the game that’s booming in popularity.
Stake Out a Spot to Swim in the Massive Pools
We’ll be honest, we’d guess that 99% of the people that visit Celebration Key are going to go swimming. Celebration Key has two huge pools (which it calls lagoons). And when we say big, we mean it. They each have a capacity nearing 5,000 people!
Calypso Lagoon (left side as you enter) is meant for teens and adults. Starfish Lagoon (right side) is meant for families with kids. They are so big that you should be able to find a nice spot no matter the ships in port. As a general rule, the farther from the entrance you walk, the fewer people will be there.
Take Advantage of Your Included Lunch
Eating is big part of cruising and that extends to Celebration Key. Mealtime is a little different here than you might be used to. Every passenger gets a meal included with the day, known as “Island Eats.” Look for these signs at the restaurants around the port and you’ll have choices from burgers and dogs to Mediterranean to tacos. But once you’ve had your meal, anything extra will be a charge.
There are also fully-paid restaurants where your “Island Eats” gets you a discount but not a free meal.
Buy an All-Day Pass for the Waterslides
At the center of Celebration Key sits the Suncastle. And the first thing you’ll likely notice are the two waterslides that wrap around it.
Dubbed the Flash Flamingo and the Mach 3 Marlin, the slides run for over 350 feet. There is a charge for these ($15 at our last visit) but with that price you get to ride as many times as you want the entire day.
Don’t Miss the Junkanoo Parade
If you don’t see the Junkanoo Parade, there’s little chance you won’t hear it. Around mid-day, a Bahamian Junkanoo band in full costume marches through Celebration Key, complete with tubas, trombones, trumpets, and drums. People line up beside the route to listen and cheer them on and of course, grab some photos as they pass by.
Sneak Away to Pearl Cove
Want to get away from it all… including the kids? Then the Pearl Cove Beach Club is the spot for you. There’s an admission fee (around $80 when we visited, more if you want food/open bar) but in return you get an infinity pool only for paying guests (so much smaller crowds), a private area of the beach, waitstaff to get you anything you need, restaurant access, and shower/restroom facilities.
In addition, the vibe here is much more chilled out than the rest of Celebration Key so if you like calm, this is your home.
Enjoy a Drink Without Leaving the Pool (Swim-Up Bar)
There’s just something about a having a cold drink served to you while in a pool that hits different. If you agree, then Celebration Key has just the place.
Take a left as you enter and walk toward the left-end of the pool. As you do, you’ll reach a large building with a restaurant and an in-water bar. This is THE hangout for adults on this part of the lagoon. It will likely be busy with music pumping. But if you’re wanting a drink without getting out of the water, it’s where you’ll want to be.
Take Advantage of a Half-Mile of Beach
Of course, if you’re headed to Celebration Key, then it’s likely you’re already thinking about the beach. There is roughly a half-mile of it and tons of lounge chairs and umbrellas where you can just claim a spot and relax.
A couple of notes to know about the beach here. First, it’s open to the ocean so if the weather is windy, the waves can pick up some. As well, there are areas where the shore has a number of rocks. Calling it “rocky” isn’t accurate, but it’s not always perfect soft sand.
Get a Little Privacy With Your Own Cabana
Want to have a little more space and comfort than just a lounger on the sand? Carnival offers cabanas that you can rent. There are a couple of versions, including some even in the pool itself.
The more traditional cabanas offer a roof over your head, tables, chairs, couches, fans, and more, along with curtains you can draw for more privacy or to keep out the sun.
Shop for Souvenirs
Want to do a little shopping while you visit Celebration Key? At the very least, it’s fun to browse the shops. Head over near the Suncastle and there are a number of stands selling all sorts of Bahamian souvenirs. There are also a number of non-local shops selling everything from t-shirts to bed sheets.
Don’t Forget Offsite Excursions
While we think most people will spend the day on the grounds of Celebration Key, there is an entire island to explore. Celebration Key is just a carve out of the larger Grand Bahama Island. You can grab a taxi and head anywhere on the island or Carnival offers some excursions.
Options include everything from off-road ATV tours to swimming with pigs to catamaran snorkeling trips.
Check the shore excursion desk on the ship to see all your options.
Day Rentals Are Available (Snorkel, Paddle Board, Floats)
What’s a day at the beach without a float or a tube or a snorkel? What about a kayak or a paddle board?
If you want to get out on the water, then you can rent any of these on Celebration Key. There are rental kiosks dotted around the beach. Just head up and you can charge the fee to your room keycard.
More on Celebration Key:
- What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Celebration Key
- Is Pearl Cove Beach Club Worth It? Here’s What Celebration Key’s Adults-Only Area Is Really Like
