Heidi BucoloCarnival’s brand-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, offers an exciting departure from traditional private island dining experiences. Rather than the typical buffet setup, Celebration Key features a diverse collection of restaurants, bars, and food trucks that showcase both local Bahamian flavors and familiar favorites. We were among the first guests to visit the private resort and have put together this guide explaining everything you need to know about the Celebration Key food and drinks complete with menus.
What is Island Eats? Understanding Celebration Key’s Unique Dining System
Island Eats is Carnival’s complimentary dining credit system that gives each guest one free meal during their visit to Celebration Key. Unlike other cruise private islands that offer unlimited buffet access, Celebration Key operates more like a food court with various dining experiences.
Here’s how Island Eats works:
- Every guest receives one dining credit per visit
- The credit covers a “complete meal” at fast-casual venues
- Your meal includes an entrée, side, and chocolate chip cookie
- Not all menu items at these quick-casual venues are included though
- Drinks are NOT included either and must be purchased separately
- All stateroom members’ credits are linked together, so don’t accidentally use someone else’s credit
- Credits can alternatively be used for a 25% discount on one entrée at full-service restaurants (excluding Pearl Cove)
- Kids under 12 can eat free from the kids menu at all full-service restaurants
Important Note: Once you use your Island Eats credit, that’s it for the day. If you want additional food, you’ll need to purchase it or return to your ship. So, unlike Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay, you cannot snack for free throughout the day.
Fast-Casual Dining Options at Celebration Key
Captain’s Galley Food Hall (Starfish Lagoon)
This isn’t a traditional buffet but rather a food hall featuring five distinct food stalls with grab-and-go options:
- Two Burgers & More stands
- Personal Pizzas
- Made-to-Order Tacos, Burritos, & Bowls
- Mediterranean Bowl Station
While most items on the menus at the Burgers & More and Pizza stalls are included in Island Eats, the Taco and Mediterranean Bowl stations are not included in this credit. These items will run you somewhere between $9.99 and $14.99 each.
Celebration Key MENUS: Burgers & More | Pizzas | Tacos | Mediterranean Bowls
Food Trucks Throughout the Island
There are two food truck pavilions, one in Starfish Lagoon and the other in Calypso Lagoon. Each of these pavilions do have distinct food trucks; though, some menu items are similar. Again, it’s important to look for the Island Eats symbol on the menus to know which items are included and which ones are priced a la carte.
Starfish Lagoon Food Trucks:
- Streatery Sushiva – Serving items like orange chicken rolls, crazy California rolls, honey sriracha conch rolls, veggie planet rolls, and egg rolls
- Mini Donut King – Serving a variety of mini donuts and shaved ice
- Grand Bahama Taco – Serving items like jerk chicken quesadillas, fried fish tacos, and steak tacos
- Seaside Shack – Serving items like cheesesteak sandwiches, chicken tenders, and Caesar salads
Celebration Key MENUS: Streatery Sushiva | Mini Donut King | Grand Bahama Taco | Seaside Shack
Calypso Lagoon Food Trucks:
- Fowl Play – Serving regular and boneless wings, loaded and regular fries, and loaded nachos
- Seaside Burgers & Dogs – Serving burgers, hot dogs, and Caesar salads
- Calypso Chicken – Serving Bahamian fried chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken and cheese sandwiches, and chicken tenders
- Flippin Fritters – Serving conch, shrimp, and corn fritters with various dipping sauces, along with dessert fritters like sweet banana, guava, and coconut
Celebration Key MENUS: Fowl Play | Seaside Burgers & Dogs | Calypso Chicken | Flippin Fritters
Beachside Burgers & More (Located in front of Mingo’s) – Serving burgers, chicken tenders, and additional grab-and-go options
MENU: Beaside Burgers & More
Snack Shacks (5 Locations)
Quick-service stands scattered throughout the resort offering pre-made items like Chicken Caesar wraps, Turkey club wraps, Vegetable hummus wraps, and Fresh salads. These Snack Shacks also serve drinks, so they could be the closest bar depending where you stake a claim on Celebration Key.
Snack Shack MENU: Snack Shack | Premium Snack Shack Menu | Snack Shack Bar Menu
Celebration Key Full-Service Restaurants
Starfish Lagoon
Gill’s Grill – Family-friendly restaurant featuring land and sea combinations. Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids menu. And guests using Island Eats credits will receive 25% off one entree. Each full-service restaurant also has a signature bar menu, with Gill’s featuring drinks like Jungle Bird, Raspberry Smash, and Sparkling Pineapple.
Sample menu items include:
- Fish & Chips
- Steamed crab, shrimp, and lobster
- Local fresh fish preparations
- Smoked fish dip & other apps
- Sandwiches and salads
Menu items range in price from $9.99 for conch chowder or $15.99 for fish dip to $44.99 for a seafood platter or $55.99 for snow crab legs.
Gill’s Grill MENU: Gill’s Grill Food Menu | Gill’s Grill Bar Menu | Kids Menu
Calypso Lagoon
Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen – Named after the Bahamas’ national bird, serving island favorites. Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids menu. And guests using Island Eats credits will receive 25% off one entree.
Sample menu items include:
- Coconut curry chicken
- Surf & turf
- Conch fritters
- Chicken wings
- Tacos and burgers
- Cocktails like Banana Berry and Coconut Margarita
Menu items range in price from $9.99 for conch chowder or $19.99 for ceviche to $33.99 for surf & turf or $38.99 for Caribbean grilled lobster.
Mingo’s MENU: Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen | Mingo’s Tropical Bar Menu | Kids Menu
Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews – Authentic barbecue experience with outdoor smoker. Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids menu. And guests using Island Eats credits will receive 25% off one entree.
Sample menu items include:
- Slow-cooked smoked meats on sharing platters
- Pulled pork and brisket sandwiches
- Baby back ribs
- Local beer selection
Menu items range in price from $9.99 for jalapeno poppers to $29.99 per person for sharing platters.
Surf N’ Sauce MENU: Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews | Surf N’ Sauce Bar Menu |Kids Menu
Pearl Cove Beach Club (Adults-Only)
Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant & Bar – Upscale dining experience located within Pearl Cove Beach Club. Guests purchasing the basic beach club access or the open bar access will need to pay a la carte for menu items, and their Island Eats credits do NOT work here. Guests who purchase the all-inclusive beach club pass ($180+ per person) can enjoy lunch at the Pearl Cove Restaurant and up to 10 drinks.
Sample menu items include:
- Fresh lobster preparations
- Sushi selection
- Seafood pasta
- Wagyu burger
- Premium cocktails like a Mango Bellini Spritz
Menu items range in price from $10 for zucchini & eggplant fritters and $16 for sushi to $39 for lobster tail or $42 for grilled prawns.
Pearl Cove Beach Club MENUS: Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant Menu | Pearl Cove Beach Club Bar
Specialty Treats & Coffee
- Yumshine Scoops (Paradise Plaza) – Premium ice cream shop, prices $5+
- Suncastle Grounds Coffee (Lokono Cove) – Coffee and light snacks, prices range $3.25 to $7.75
Celebration Key MENUS: Yumshine Scoops | Suncastle Grounds Coffee
Complete Guide to Celebration Key Bars
Starfish Lagoon Bars
- Lagoon Bar East – Traditional beach bar with various classic cocktails
- Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar – Swim-up bar with in-water and poolside seating
- Shoalmates Island Bar – AquaBana bar serving island-themed cocktails
Calypso Lagoon Bars
- Lagoon Bar West – Adult-friendly beach bar
- Long Necks Swim-Up Bar – Largest swim-up bar with 160+ seats and DJ entertainment nearby
- Sunshine Swings Bar – Unique bar with nearly 50 swings for seating both over land and the lagoon
Pearl Cove Beach Club Bar (Adults-Only)
Pearl Cove Beach Club Bar – Premium cocktails and an elevated bar experience with both poolside and swim-up sections
Beverage Packages & Drink Policies
Unlike other cruise line private islands, Carnival’s Cheers! beverage package and other drink packages do NOT work at Celebration Key. Guests must pay full menu price for all beverages while on the island plus 18% gratuity and VAT.
What’s Free:
- Ice water at various stations throughout the island
- Water refill stations
What Costs Extra & Celebration Key Drink Prices:
- Beer – $7 to $9
- Wine – $8 to $11.50
- Classic and Frozen Cocktails – $12.50 to $13.50
- Signature Drinks – $13.50 to $16
- Bottled Water – $3
- Soft Drinks (Coca Cola products) – $3.50
- Specialty Coffee & Tea – $3.25 to $7.75
- Iced Tea and Orange Juice – $3.50
- Red Bull – $7.50
Payment: You can charge drinks to your Sail & Sign card or use a debit/credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions About Celebration Key Food & Drinks
Can I get multiple free meals with Island Eats?
No, each guest receives only one Island Eats credit per visit. Once used, additional food must be purchased at a la carte pricing.
Do drinks come with my free Island Eats meal?
No, the complimentary meal includes food and a cookie only. All beverages must be purchased separately.
Are all items on the fast-casual menus covered by Island Eats?
Not all items from the fast-casual outlets are covered. Only the meals labeled as “Island Eats” are included. Look for items specifically marked on menus.
Can I go back to the ship for food instead of paying extra on the island?
Yes! Guests can come and go from the cruise ship during the day. Venues like the Lido Marketplace, Guy’s Burger Joint, and BlueIguana Cantina remain open and complimentary while docked at Celebration Key.
Can I use my Carnival beverage package on the island?
No, Carnival’s drink packages don’t work at Celebration Key. However, all ship beverage packages remain available if you return to the ship.
What drinks are included at Celebration Key?
The only free drink is iced water. There are water stations around the island as well as refill stations so be sure to bring your refillable water bottle with you. Unlike other cruise private islands, there are no beverage stations with complimentary drinks like lemonade, iced tea, or gatorade.
Can I bring drinks from the ship to Celebration Key?
The official answer is no, however, you likely won’t be stopped for bringing a small amount of non-alcoholic beverages to Celebration Key, like bottled water or gatorade. Alcoholic beverages from the ship are strictly prohibited as are coolers with food.
Is there kids’ pricing at restaurants?
Kids 12 and under eat free from dedicated kids’ menus at all full-service restaurants (Gill’s Grill, Mingo’s, and Surf N’ Sauce) if they haven’t already redeemed their Island Eats credit. At fast-casual venues, kids can use their Island Eats credits like all other guests.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes, many venues on Celebration Key offer vegetarian options like the Mediterranean bowl station, veggie wraps, and salads.
Are there dedicated allergy-friendly dining locations?
No, there are currently no designated allergy-friendly dining venues at Celebration Key. Guests should consult with ship staff before disembarking for any specific dietary needs.
What if I accidentally use someone else’s Island Eats credit?
All stateroom members’ Island Eats credits are linked— if you’re a family of four, there will be 4 Island Eats credits linked to all Sail & Sign cards in the same cabin. Be careful when ordering to only use one Island Eats credit so you don’t eat your cabinmates’ lunch.
Comments
What do you think about the Celebration Key food and drink menus? Do you like the new Island Eats concept? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on the dining and beverge options on Carnival’s newest exclusive destination in the Bahamas.
