by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:20 AM ET, Wed February 19, 2025
Carnival Cruise Line is offering travelers a sneak peak of Celebration Key, its new private destination on Grand Bahama that’s slated to open in July.
The company is five months out from the debut of Celebration Key, which is scheduled to open July 19. To celebrate the countdown, Carnival’s leaders shared a behind-the-scenes look at the destination’s five “portals to paradise.”
Christine Duffy, the cruise line’s president, as well as Josh Weinstein, the chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, and Lars Ljoen, chief maritime officer, toured the site as construction enters its final phases.
They also placed commemorative keys into Celebration Key's signature Suncastle, the centerpiece of the destination’s five portals, in a nod to the maritime tradition of a keel laying for a new ship.
In addition, Carnival leaders planted palm trees from the “Plant a Tree” community engagement program that launched last year. Roughly 1,000 sabal palms have been saved and replanted throughout Celebration Key.
“Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with The Bahamas, so seeing it transform from vision to reality is incredible,” says Duffy. "We broke ground on this site less than three years ago, and now in five short months we’ll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them to celebrate and enjoy this gorgeous place on Grand Bahama.”
Carnival Vista will make the inaugural call at Celebration Key this summer. Until then, roughly 500 construction crew members are working around the clock.
“This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama’s natural environment,” says Weinstein. “It’s clear Celebration Key will be a game-changer for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it’s also truly great to see firsthand how we’re implementing our company’s robust sustainability initiatives on land.”
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