As the world’s largest cruise line, Carnival travels to every corner of the globe, from Mexico to Europe, from Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. While these exotic destinations are all enjoyable for different reasons, the Bahamas is still the crown jewel of the cruise industry. One of the main reasons brands like Carnival love the Bahamas is because they can buy and develop personalized real estate.
Case in point: The all-new Celebration Key. Carnival purchased the land from the Bahamian government, located about 20 miles east of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama. The company has been working hard on turning this patch of land into a tropical, exclusive paradise for Carnival Cruise guests. Although the port isn’t slated to open until 2025, we already know what to expect. So, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cruise vacation, here’s everything you need to know about Celebration Key.
What is Carnival’s Celebration Key?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that Celebration Key is different from Half Moon Cay, a private island owned and managed by Carnival Cruises. Unlike Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key is a port on Grand Bahama. However, unlike other ports on the island, this one is exclusive to Carnival cruise ships.
What makes this development so exciting is that Carnival is building the port to be as massive and accommodating as possible. When it opens, the port should be able to hold two Excel-class cruise ships (the largest of Carnival’s fleet). But the company won’t stop there. Additional developments should make the port capable of holding four Excel ships by 2026. Carnival estimates Celebration Key could accommodate up to two million guests per year when it opens and grow to four million guests annually by 2028!
Although Celebration Key will be part of Grand Bahama island, guests won’t need to venture off the premises to have a fun-filled vacation. Carnival has more than a few tricks up its sleeve to keep guests at Celebration Key for as long as possible.
That said, many people will likely want to explore more of Grand Bahama. Realistically, Celebration Key will serve as a major entry point to the island, enabling guests to visit Freeport and other destinations at their leisure. Plus, if the cruise ships can stay docked at the port (rather than hanging out offshore), guests can come and go as they please.
Things to Do at the Key
Part of what makes Celebration Key so exciting is that it’s divided into five distinct zones, called “portals.” Each portal allows guests to have a different experience, so you could theoretically spend all day moving from one portal to the next without ever leaving the site. Here’s a breakdown of what Carnival plans to include within each portal:
Pearl Cove Beach Club
One of the main complaints travelers have about cruises is that they attract too many families and children. It’s hard to enjoy the beach or the pool bar when little ones are running around all the time. Carnival has a simple solution to this problem: an adults-only section called the Pearl Cove Beach Club.
Pearl Cove is designed to help individuals and couples relax and unwind in a more adult-friendly environment. Alcoholic drinks are around every corner, and you can move seamlessly from the restaurant to the bar to the beach without even changing out of your swimsuit. Plus, because you must book a reservation to enjoy the beach club, it comes with a sense of exclusivity and privacy.
One highlight of this portal is the incredible infinity pool, which sits on the edge of the beach. So, if you position yourself just right, you can imagine yourself lounging in the ocean (but without the threat of waves crashing into you). Music plays throughout this portal to help you relax and find your groove, whatever that means to you.
Paradise Plaza
When you step off the ship onto Celebration Key, you’ll be greeted by Paradise Plaza. This portal is the main entrance to the port, and it’s designed to be as fun and welcoming as possible. The crown jewel of this portal is a massive fake sandcastle in the center (the Suncastle), highlighting a playful and youthful spirit.
The Suncastle is more than just an iconic building in the center of Celebration Key (akin to Cinderella’s castle at Disneyland). It’s also home to an observation deck, allowing you to see the rest of the port and the island beyond. You can gaze out over the vast ocean expanse and realize that there isn’t anything else for miles. Besides the observation deck, the Suncastle also houses two water slides that take you to pools on either side.
If the Suncastle doesn’t appeal to you, you can lounge by one of the pools and rent a covered cabana or daybed. You can also book shore excursions and get rides into town. No matter what you plan to do at Celebration Key, Paradise Plaza is where you can make it all happen.
Calypso Lagoon
If you prefer something more natural that allows you to get sand between your toes, you should head over to Calypso Lagoon. While this area is meant to look like it’s connected to the ocean, it’s actually filled with freshwater so you can get wet without getting salty.
The entire lagoon is designed to be as tropical as possible. You’ll likely want to rent a Supervilla Cabana for you and your family or friends so you can lounge in style and avoid sunburns. Some of these cabanas are even equipped with slides to add to the fun.
Calypso Lagoon is a unique portal because it also features two full-service restaurants and food trucks. This way, you can get a taste of the local flavor without having to venture outside of the port. Plus, with swim-up bars in multiple locations, you’re never too far from a delicious, refreshing tropical cocktail.
Lokono Cove
Some people complain about cruise ships and companies like Carnival exploiting tropical islands for financial gain. However, Carnival is committed to helping the local Bahamian people get their fair share of the revenues and experiences offered by developments like Celebration Key.
This commitment is on full display at Lokono Cove. The name of this portal derives from the native Lucayan people, renowned for their artwork, crafts, and music. Here is where you can truly get a feel for Bahamian culture by shopping from local merchants, listening to local music, and sampling local food.
The cove even features an expansive straw market. You’ll almost feel like you’re wandering the streets of Freeport as merchants show off their wares. You can even marvel at artists making their crafts right in front of you. From baskets to ceramics to art pieces, Lokono Cove has it all. Souvenirs don’t get much better than this.
Starfish Lagoon
Yes, there are two freshwater lagoons at Celebration Key. While Calypso Lagoon caters to a more adult crowd, Starfish Lagoon is all about the kids. Plus, this is the larger of the two, and the largest freshwater lagoon in the entire Caribbean. As with Calypso, you can rent cabanas next to the water. However, some of these are floating cabanas to add a bit of whimsy to the occasion.
Since this lagoon is designed for kids, floaties and pool toys are everywhere. You’ll have to be careful where you walk because you’re liable to get hit with a pool noodle or beach ball at some point. Just make sure you’re not walking with an alcoholic drink in hand when you get hit.
Other highlights of this portal include a splash pad and a two-foot wading pool. The splash pad is perfect for kids who love to run through fountains and get sprayed with fresh water. Plus, the pad is coral reef-themed to make it even more inviting and exciting. The wading pool is ideal for toddlers and babies who want to get wet but don’t know how to walk or crawl very well.
If you’re tired of the water, you can reserve a spot at one of the various sport courts in this portal. Tennis, volleyball, and basketball are available so you can play with your friends or family members whenever you like. Then, once you’ve worked up a sweat, you can all enjoy an ice cream cone or a refreshing beverage.
Finally, Starfish Lagoon has a beachside area where you can enjoy the real sand and surf. A dedicated beach area enables you and your family to get the full tropical island experience from the comfort and safety of Celebration Key.
How to Book Carnival Cruises as a Boardwalk Travel Agent
Although Celebration Key is not open yet, now is the perfect time to start planning your next Bahamas vacation. However, if you’re lamenting the cost of a cruise trip, you may be surprised to learn that you can save a boatload of money as an independent travel agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency, without a doubt the best host agency for travel agents.
How is this possible? When you become a Carnival Cruise travel agent with Boardwalk, you get exclusive access to discounts and deals that most guests don’t. Since cruise lines want their ships to be as close to capacity as possible, they provide deals to travel agents to help them book more packages. Best of all, you can use these discounts for yourself, your friends, or your family.
And it gets even better. Travel agents earn a commission on each package they book, which is paid by the vendor (in this case, Carnival). So, once you book your cruise and enjoy your vacation, Carnival will send a commission payment back to you. Imagine earning money back from your own travel expenses!
Boardwalk Travel Agency makes it super easy to become an independent agent. All you have to do is join our team and you can start booking cruise vacations immediately. We also offer lifetime access to learning and support so you can always take advantage of these deals and commissions. Sign up with Boardwalk Travel today and start enjoying the Caribbean!
