Cruise & Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line Welcomes First Excel Class Ship to Celebration Key

Image: Mardi Gras and Carnival Pride dock at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Image: Mardi Gras and Carnival Pride dock at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Sarah Kuta
by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:30 AM ET, Mon July 28, 2025

Carnival Cruise Line has officially welcomed an Excel class ship to Celebration Key, marking the first time one of the brand’s largest vessels visited the destination.

Mardi Gras visited the brand new private destination on Grand Bahama on July 25, docking alongside Carnival Pride.

Roughly 9,000 travelers from both shops spent the day at Celebration Key.

Mardi Gras visited the destination during a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise that departed July 19 from Port Canaveral while Carnival Pride visited as part of a week-long Bahamas cruise from Baltimore that embarked July 20.

Guests enjoy the day at Celebration Key

Guests enjoy the day at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

“We’re immensely proud and grateful for the great reaction from our guests visiting Celebration Key throughout this first week,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The world’s newest cruise destination is already a success and delivering more fun to 9,000 visitors in one day is a great testament to that.”


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...
Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...