Sarah Bretz, ContributorCarnival Cruise Line’s upcoming private destination on Grand Bahama, Celebration Key, will feature a retail area called Lokono Cove, which was named with the help of a Grand Bahama resident.
Lokono Cove is the winning submission from a community competition that was supported by the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy announced the name today at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach.
Lokono Cove is one of the five areas, or “portals” of Celebration Key. There, a variety of stores and kiosks will join an authentic Bahamian artisan market showcasing local craftsmanship. Visitors can browse through locally crafted goods, discovering everything from souvenirs to fine jewelry. Beyond the goods on display for sale, the area will feature music, palm trees, local snacks, and vibrant murals painted by Bahamian artists.
A selection committee, including local Grand Bahama officials and representatives of the cultural and creative industries, helped choose the name Lokono Cove, submitted by Deidre Rahming, as part of a competition open to all Grand Bahamians. Lokono means “the people” and is derived from the Lucayans, who were among the first to call Grand Bahama home. Historians describe them as a gentle and creative community of artisans who excelled at basket-weaving, pottery, and painting.
“Lokono Cove will be a treasure trove – a place for our guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of The Bahamas and find locally-inspired keepsakes, symbols of paradise they can share with loved ones, or cherish for themselves for years to come,” Duffy said. “Honoring the beauty and culture of the Bahamas is integral to our plans for Celebration Key, and that will be on display throughout Lokono Cove. It’s a special honor that locals from Grand Bahama have contributed already in an impactful way, giving this portal its name.”
Lokono Cove will also serve as the gateway to Grand Bahama outside of Celebration Key. Whether guests choose to set out on their own or through a Carnival shore excursion, Lokono Cove will be the departure point to the rest of the island.
For submitting the winning name, Rahming will receive B$5,000 cash, attendance at the ribbon-cutting for Locono Cove, and a day-pass to Celebration Key along with drink vouchers, food, and a cabana.
Lokono Cove joins Paradise Plaza, which will serve as a welcome area, and Calypso Lagoon, the adult-friendly area as three of the five portals. Details on the other two portals — a family-friendly area and an adults-only retreat — will be revealed soon.
Celebration Key is scheduled to open in July 2025. Over 500 itineraries currently open for sale feature visits to the new destination on 18 ships.
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