Sarah Bretz, ContributorCarnival Cruise Line has announced new details on the family-friendly area that will be a part of its new destination in the Bahamas, Celebration Key.
Centered around one of the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, Starfish Lagoon will feature a variety of activities for all ages. Named after the national bird and national fish of the Bahamas, the pink Flash Flamingo and blue Mach III Marlin water slides — each over 350 feet long — invite guests to friendly competition as they weave through and around the 10-story high Suncastle in a race with exciting turns and flashes of light and color.
Located at the entrance to Starfish Lagoon, the Guppy Grotto splash pad for toddlers and small kids is a colorful coral reef-themed children’s water play area. It features a refreshing two-foot-deep wading pool, water toys, a dump bucket, and plenty of shaded seating for parents with a nearby ice cream shop.
The Game Pavilion features a variety of table games including foosball, ping pong, and cornhole, as well as seating area for socializing and meeting new friends. The Sports Court, adjacent to the Game Pavilion, offers volleyball, basketball, and pickleball.
Floating AquaBanas are comfortable and sturdy floating cabanas that are fun for the whole family. Guests can relax with their feet in the water under the shady canopy as they sip on a refreshing beverage. Available for rental, they come with seating space for eight, a solid table, non-slip surfaces, and steps for easy access into the lagoon. These 12 floating “private islands” are grouped around a peninsula with a dedicated bar. More traditional cabanas and daybeds will also be available.
For the adults, there’s a Swim Up Bar where colorful drinks, including the bar’s specialty frozen rum cocktails, will be served — all without leaving the water.
Hanging out will take on a new meaning at Celebration Key with a number of hammocks located right next to the iconic Suncastle, letting guests swing over the water and take in the views of Starfish Lagoon.
There’s a stretch of beautiful beach and crystal blue water with kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as plenty of space for frisbee and sandcastle building. Sun loungers, umbrellas, and beachside cabanas will also be available.
At Celebration Key, a variety of dining venues provide many options for guests including restaurants, snack and bar shacks, and Bahamian food trucks.
Starfish Lagoon is just one of the many areas, or “portals” that Celebration Key will be comprised of. Others include Paradise Plaza (the welcome area), Calypso Lagoon (the adult-focused area), and Locono Cove (the shopping area). Details on the fifth portal, which will be exclusively for adults, will be announced soon.
Celebration Key is scheduled to welcome its first guests in July 2025, and more than 500 itineraries currently available for booking feature visits to the new destination on voyages from 10 U.S. homeports.
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