Almost every Carnival cruise ship will sail to its upcoming private resort soon — see what it'll be like in Celebration Key

Mon, 09/30/2024 - 16:39

rendering of pool next to beach — Most of Carnival Cruise Line's ships would sail to Celebration Key, the company's private resort-like port set to debut in July 2025, as shown in a render.
Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line's new $600 million private port, Celebration Key, is set to open in July 2025.
Most of Carnival's ships will sail to the resort-like destination.
Cruise line-run private islands have been big moneymakers for companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

One of Carnival's upcoming $600 million projects has the potential to become a massive money tree for the popular cruise line.

No, it's not a new ship. It's a mile-long slice of beachfront land on Grand Bahama island, which the company is turning into its own private tropical destination.

Beginning July 2025, Carnival says this slice of the Bahamas — dubbed Celebration Key — will entice visiting cruisers with resort-like amenities, waterslides, and 30 food and drink venues.

From its launch in 2025 through 2026, 20 of Carnival's 27 ships are scheduled to sail to Celebration Key.

rendering of Carnival Celebration Key — Carnival Cruise Line says it will unveil its $600 million private destination on the Grand Bahama island, Celebration Key, in July 2025, as seen in a rendering.
Carnival Cruise Line

The cheapest starts at about $335 per person for a three-day Carnival Glory cruise from Florida's Port Canaveral.

The private port would have five distinct sections: a lagoon for families, two adult-friendly lounges, a welcome area, and a shopping center.

render of pool with people and water slides — Carnival says Celebration Key's Starfish Lagoon, shown in a render, was designed for families.
Carnival Cruise Line

The former, Starfish Lagoon, would be outfitted with kid-friendly activities like two 350-foot-long racing waterslides, a water playground, foosball, basketball, and volleyball.

Travelers who prefer saltwater over the lagoon's freshwater can head to Starfish's designated beach instead.

Looking ahead, Carnival also plans to build an on-site waterpark.

Peckish families could dine on a seafood feast at Gill's Grill.

rendering of people at Gills Grill — Gill's Grill, shown in a rendering, would serve as a seafood restaurant at Starfish Lagoon.
Carnival Cruise Line

Or, they could take a break from the sun at the five-stall food hall, which would offer grab-and-go options like hot dogs, tacos, and pizza.

Adults who need a break from rowdy kids can expect their own up-charged slice of Celebration Key.

rendering of umbrellas near a pool with people — Pearl Cove Beach Club, shown in a rendering, would have a restaurant, loungers, and daybeds.
Carnival Cruise Line

The adult-only retreat, called Pearl Cove Beach Club, is expected to have an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool with a DJ, water lounges, and a swim-up bar.

Not a fan of the pool? Pearl Cove would also have a private beach (it is a beach club, after all).

However, entry to the adult getaway would be ticketed.

Grown-ups who don't want to pay can instead lounge at Calypso Lagoon, another adult-friendly beach and lagoon.

rendering of people at a restaurant — Calypso Lagoon would have Surf N' Sauce BBQ and Brews, shown in a rendering.
Carnival Cruise Line

Some of Calypso Lagoon's amenities would echo Pearl Cove, including its numerous bar options (including one with above-water swinging seats), two restaurants, and a designated beach.

It wouldn't be a cruise line-owned private destination without plenty of opportunities to splurge.

rendering of floating cabanas in a pool — Carnival says Celebration Key will have 12 eight-person floating cabanas, shown in a rendering, for rent.
Carnival Cruise Line

Guests at Celebration Key could rent villas, daybeds, and cabanas (including some that float in Starfish Lagoon).

Or, they could treat themselves to some retail therapy at the port's shopping center, Lokono Cove.

Celebration Key isn't the cruise line's only land-based venture.

People riding horses on sands of Half Moon Cay with cruise ship in background — Half Moon Cay has activities like horseback riding and swimming with stingrays.
Peggy Cleveland

It also owns the smaller Half Moon Cay, a resort-like private Bahamian island frequented by its sister cruise company Holland America.

Carnival said it intends further to develop Half Moon Cay with an extended beach, more dining options, and a pier that will accommodate the cruise line's largest ships.

There’s a good reason the cruise giant is going all-in on its land-based portfolio.

Royal Caribbean International's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island — Royal Caribbean guests have to shell out extra cash for a ticket to its private island Perfect Day at CocoCay's waterpark.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Private islands can be cash cows for popular cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Guests can spend big on these exclusive destinations' excursions and private lounges, boosting the cruise line's profits.

And in the case of Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, these stops are near Florida's major cruise ports, decreasing visiting ships' travel times and fuel costs.

For some operators, these exclusive ports are also becoming a necessity.

Guests can rent private villas for the day on Half Moon Cay.
Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line

An increasing number of cities worldwide have been restricting cruise ship access. In other cases, several of the industry's new mega-ships have outgrown some ports.

Cruise lines can just turn to their in-house destinations to recoup these lost ports — outfitted with up-charged amenities like waterparks and desirable beachfront villas.

Carnival said Celebration Key would bring 2.2 million guests to Grand Bahama.

rendering of kids in water playground — Starfish Lagoon's two waterslides would cross the 10-story-tall "Suncastle," shown in a rendering.
Carnival Cruise Line

When two additional berths are built in 2028, the number of visiting guests would grow to 4 million a year.

The $600 million project is set to be Carnival Corp's largest. Despite the hefty investment, Carnival Corp's CFO, David Bernstein, told analysts on Monday that the company is already predicting Celebration Key will be a "smash hit and provide an excellent return on investment. "

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Almost every Carnival cruise ship will sail to its upcoming private resort soon…