Heidi BucoloCarnival’s brand-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, officially opened in July 2025 on Grand Bahama Island and we were among the first guests to visit. Unlike traditional cruise private islands, Celebration Key operates more like an “exclusive destination” rather than an extension of your ship. This means understanding what’s included versus what costs extra is crucial for planning your perfect day in paradise. That’s why we’ve put together this complete guide following our visit to explain what’s actually included on Celebration Key and what’s not so you can budget accordingly.
What’s FREE on Carnival Celebration Key
The good news? Celebration Key offers plenty of complimentary experiences that can easily fill your entire day without spending a dime beyond your cruise fare. From the moment you step off the ship, you’ll have access to some of the most impressive pool and beach facilities in the Bahamas, along with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and convenient transportation around the island.
Celebration Key doesn’t follow the “everything included” model like some other cruise line private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay or NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay; however, the amenities that are included are pretty impressive. The centerpiece lagoon pools alone are worth the visit, and when combined with the pristine beaches, sports facilities, and authentic Bahamian vibes, you can absolutely have an amazing day without breaking the bank.
Beach and Pool Access
- Starfish Lagoon: Family-friendly freshwater lagoon with gentle sloped entry
- Calypso Lagoon: Adult-friendly freshwater lagoon with DJ entertainment
- Starfish Beach: Family-friendly beach area with complimentary loungers and umbrellas
- Calypso Beach: Adult-oriented beach area with plenty of free seating and umbrellas too
- 18+ Section of Calypso Lagoon: Adults-only pool area (complimentary, western side of lagoon)
Combined, these lagoons total over 275,000 square feet, making them the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean. In fact, they are 8 times larger than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Lagoon.
Family Activities & Entertainment
- Guppy Grotto Splash Pad: Shallow wading pool and water features for little ones
- Gaming Pavilion: Table tennis, cornhole, and more
- Sports Courts: Basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts across Starfish and Calypso areas
- Live Entertainment: Caribbean music at Paradise Plaza and Junkanoo parades twice daily
- Iconic Photo Ops: Sun-shaped arch at Paradise Plaza and the towering Suncastle structure
Food & Drinks
- Select Food: One meal per guest as part of Island Eats (more on this below)
- Iced Water: Iced water stations and water bottle refills stations around the resort
Transportation
- Complimentary Trams: Two tram loops serving all portals with pickups every 5-10 minutes
- Beach Wheelchairs: Available at Paradise Plaza on a first-come basis
- Easy Walking: Just 6-10 minutes from ship to Paradise Plaza
WiFi
- Ship Internet: Shipboard WiFi works while ashore
- Carnival HUB App: HUB app works ashore even without a WiFi package
Resort Amenities
- Freshwater showers
- Restrooms
- Towel Exchange: Guests must bring towels from the ship but can exchange for dry ones at the Cabana Concierge during the day
Island Eats: Carnival’s Unique Free Meal Program
You’ve probably heard by now that things work a little differently when it comes to food on Celebration Key. Unlike other cruise private islands with unlimited buffets, Celebration Key uses the “Island Eats” credit system. This entitles each guest to one meal at one time during the day at select locations and on select items.
How Island Eats Works:
- One credit per guest for your entire visit
- Choose either:
- One complete meal at fast-casual venues (entrée + side + cookie)
- 25% discount on one entrée at full-service restaurants
- All stateroom credits are linked – be careful not to use someone else’s credit in your cabin
- Kids under 12 eat free from kids’ menus at full-service restaurants (with their Island Eats credit)
- Drinks NOT included with the meal – only ice water is free island-wide
Where to Use Your Island Eats Credit
Fast-Casual Options (Full Meal Included):
- Captain’s Galley Food Hall (burgers, pizza, hot dogs)
- Food Trucks across both lagoons (variety of offerings)
- Snack Shacks (wraps and salads)
Full-Service Restaurants (25% Off Entrée):
- Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen (Calypso Lagoon)
- Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews (Calypso Lagoon)
- Gill’s Grill (Starfish Lagoon)
Pro Tip: Review menus carefully as not all items at each venue are covered by Island Eats credits. Be sure to look for the Island Eats symbol before ordering if you don’t want to pay out-of-pocket. To complicate things even further, some of the meals are ONLY available through Island Eats. For instance, the Island Eats meal at the Fowl Play food truck is 4 wings, but you can only order 6-piece or 10-piece wings when paying a la carte.
What Costs Extra on Celebration Key
While Celebration Key provides excellent complimentary amenities, understanding the upcharge items is crucial for budget planning. As we’ve already discussed, unlike cruise private islands where most food is unlimited, Celebration Key operates differently. Premium experiences, all beverages, and additional dining beyond your one Island Eats credit all come at an extra cost.
Yes, Carnival’s Cheers beverage package does NOT work on Celebration Key either. This means all drinks besides iced water will cost you extra. This includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, coffee, and soda.
While Carnival’s beverage packages don’t extend to the island, and your single Island Eats credit may not cover everything your family wants to eat throughout the day, the other upcharge experiences are generally well-priced when compared to similar amenities at land-based Caribbean resorts.
So, let’s breakdown what costs extra and how much they actually cost.
Beverages
- All drinks cost extra – Carnival’s Cheers! package does NOT work on the island
- Cocktails: $12.50-$16
- Beer: $7-$9
- Wine: $8-$11.50
- Coffee: $3.25-$7.75
- Soft drinks: $3.50
- Only ice water is complimentary
Premium Experiences
- Suncastle Waterslides: $15 per person for all-day access to dual racing slides
- Pearl Cove Beach Club (Adults-Only):
- Basic access: $100+ per person (includes welcome drink)
- Open bar access: $140+ per person (10-drink limit)
- All-inclusive: $180+ per person (includes lunch from a separate menu + 10 drinks)
Additional Food & Treats
- Ice cream at Yumshine Scoops: $5+
- Coffee at Suncastle Grounds: $3.25-$7.75
- Additional meals beyond your Island Eats credit
Cabana & Villa Rentals
- Cabanas: $600-$900 (accommodate 4-6 guests)
- Over-Lagoon Cabanas: $740+ (includes private sun shelf)
- AquaBanas: $450+ (floating cabanas for up to 8 people)
- Super Villas: $1,800-$2,800 (accommodate up to 10 guests)
- Daybeds: $150+ (two-person daybeds with canopy)
Resort Amenities
- Lockers: Rentals located near restrooms and have built-in phone chargers
- Large lockers (accommodates backpacks, luggage, small strollers, etc.) are $20 all day and $10 hourly
- Medium lockers (suitable for small personal items) are $15 all day rate and $5 hourly
- Guests who purchase all-day access may take advantage of locker hopping which allows them to relocate to another available locker bank throughout the day
- Lockers are free for Pearl Cove Beach Club members
- Shopping: Lokono Cove
- Watersport rentals:
- noodles $10.99
- floating mats and tubes $19.99
- snorkel gear $19.99
- kayaks starting at $29.99
- stand-up paddleboards $39.99
Shore Excursions
While visiting Carnival’s Celebration Key, guests can freely leave the resort to explore more of Grand Bahama Island if they wish. They can rent taxis or book shore excursions directly with Carnival. Some examples of shore excursions available include:
- ATV adventures and beach breaks
- Zipline experiences at Pirate’s Cove
- Grand Bahama Island tours
- Swimming with pigs excursions
How Celebration Key Compares to Other Private Islands
Understanding where Celebration Key fits in the spectrum of cruise private destinations helps set realistic expectations for your visit. While it doesn’t offer the all-inclusive experience of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or Disney’s Castaway Cay, it provides significantly more value than traditional Caribbean ports where virtually everything costs extra.
Think of Celebration Key as the middle ground between fully inclusive private islands and pay-per-experience destinations. You’re getting high-end facilities and one meal included, but you’ll want to budget for drinks and additional food throughout the day. This model allows Carnival to offer spectacular amenities combined with authentic Bahamian flair while keeping cruise fares competitive.
More Included Than:
- Traditional ports in the Bahamas and Caribbean where everything costs extra
- Carnival Corp. destinations like Mahogany Bay and Amber Cove
Less Included Than:
- Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay (unlimited food, drink packages work)
- Disney’s Castaway Cay (extensive complimentary dining)
- Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay (free lunch and some beverages)
- Carnival Corp.’s Half Moon Cay (unlimited buffet but Carnival’s drink package doesn’t work)
Budget Planning Tips for Celebration Key
Smart planning can make all the difference between a stressful day of unexpected charges and a relaxing vacation.
The beauty of Celebration Key is that you can easily customize your experience based on your budget and priorities. Whether you want to stick to the complimentary amenities or splurge on premium experiences, knowing your options in advance lets you make intentional choices rather than impulse decisions.
For a Budget-Friendly Day:
- Use your Island Eats credit wisely at food trucks or Captain’s Galley Food Hall
- Stick to free activities: lagoons, beaches, gaming pavilion, sports courts
- Bring a refillable water bottle for free water stations
- Return to ship for additional meals if needed
For a Splurge Day:
- Book Pearl Cove Beach Club for adults-only luxury
- Rent a cabana or villa for premium amenities
- Try the Suncastle waterslides
- Explore multiple restaurants and bars across the island
Pro Money-Saving Tips:
- Return to ship for free dining: Buffet and other casual venues remain open while in Celebration Key
- Share cabanas with other families to split costs
- Forego shore excursions and just relax on the beach or in the lagoon pools
- Wait to consume alcoholic beverages until back on the ship; beverage packages still work on the ship while docked in Celebration Key
- Check your cell carrier coverage: If your plan doesn’t include the Bahamas, leave your phone in airplane mode so you don’t incur roaming charges
The Bottom Line
Celebration Key offers impressive complimentary amenities, particularly the massive lagoon pools and beautiful beaches. The Island Eats program provides one solid meal per person, though the lack of unlimited dining and beverage packages means you’ll likely spend more than at other cruise private islands.
Budget approximately $50-$100 per person for a comfortable day including drinks and snacks, or $150-$200+ per person if you want a more premium experience.
Despite the additional costs, Celebration Key delivers on Carnival’s promise of FUN with authentic Bahamian touches and plenty of ways to customize your day of fun in the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Celebration Key
Can I leave Celebration Key and return to the ship during the day? Yes, you can come and go between the ship and Celebration Key as many times as you want. The ship’s complimentary dining venues and some bars remain open while docked.
What should I bring from the ship to Celebration Key? Bring your Sail & Sign card, credit card/cash, bathing suit, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, towels, and any personal items you need.
Can I bring food and 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.
Are beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas available at Celebration Key? Beach chairs and umbrellas are complimentary and can be found throughout the beaches and surrounding the lagoon pools. Beach towels should be brought from the ship unless you have Pearl Cove Beach Club access.
Are phone charging stations available on Celebration Key? Chargers (USB-A and USB-C) are available inside for-fee lockers, and outlets are available in large cabanas and super villas.
Are there massage or spa services available? Spa services are not currently offered at Celebration Key.
What is the swim diaper policy? Regular diapers are not permitted in any pool facilities. Swim diapers are required for non-potty-trained children in the splash pad and shallow areas of Starfish Lagoon.
Are there lifeguards at Celebration Key? Yes, Celebration Key has trained lifeguards stationed at pools and select beach areas for safety.
Is smoking allowed at Celebration Key? Yes, but smoking of all kinds is only permitted in designated areas. Check provided maps or signage around the island for specific locations.
Are scooters allowed at Celebration Key? Guests are welcome to bring their scooters into port, but there are no designated charging stations.
Comments
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