Just five months after opening its private island in the
Bahamas, Celebration Key, Carnival
Cruise Line welcomed its one-millionth guest.
To mark the moment, the one-millionth guest, Andrew Sexton, was greeted
with a surprise celebration when he stepped ashore with his family. He was
sailing with his wife, Savannah, their three daughters, and extended family all
from Knoxville, Tennessee, on a holiday vacation that was a special gift from
the grandparents. The celebration was made even more meaningful as it marked
Andrew’s and the children’s first-ever cruise.
The Sexton family arrived on Carnival
Vista, the ship that made the inaugural call to Celebration Key in July
2025. A Junkanoo band led the welcome, and the cruise line awarded the family a
special package of experiences, including a private cabana, food and beverages
for the day, and unlimited access to the waterslides.
Celebration Key has generated more than 1,000 permanent
local positions and has partnered with 58 Bahamian-owned companies with business
operations on-site. During the construction phase, Carnival hired 29 Bahamian
construction companies with 96 percent Bahamian employees.
Highlighting the impact of the destination on the island’s
economy during an event on Grand Bahama Island on December 1, Pia Glover‑Rolle,
Bahamas Minister of Labor and Public Service said in a statement, “We look
forward to the same results that Celebration Key has brought, which is more
employment for more locals and the ability for family islanders to actually
relocate and move back home so that they could have gainful employment in their
places of domicile.”
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise line added, “Both
local residents who have benefited from the job creation and our guests have
embraced Celebration Key from the very first day, and this milestone
underscores an exciting chapter for us in The Bahamas,” said Christine Duffy,
president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re proud to lay the foundation for
long-term growth and a positive impact in the region, while creating something
truly special for our guests.”
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