Carnival's Celebration Key marks first anniversary after welcoming 2.4M guests

Carnival Cruise Line's exclusive destination, Celebration Key, is marking its first anniversary after welcoming 2.4 million guests since opening on Grand Bahama on July 19, 2025.

The private destination, designed to showcase the natural beauty and culture of The Bahamas while delivering Carnival's signature style of fun, has completed its inaugural year with a series of guest milestones, community partnerships and economic initiatives.

According to Carnival, more than 500,000 guests have raced down Celebration Key's signature waterslides, while more than 400,000 sweet treats have been served by the Bahamian-owned Mini Donut King food truck.

Guests also enjoyed more than 100,000 piña coladas during the destination's first year, and hundreds of Junkanoo parades brought traditional Bahamian music and culture to visitors.

Celebration Key also became the world's first cruise destination to earn Sensory Inclusive Certification through its partnership with KultureCity, a designation aimed at making the destination more accessible and welcoming for guests with sensory needs.

“We’ve built something special here at Celebration Key,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a press release.

“Our goal is to create unforgettable memories for our guests, and in its first year, the destination has done exactly that for more than 2 million people. We’re proud to be part of those moments while also creating real, lasting impact in the local community. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum, creating new experiences for our guests and deepening our commitment to Grand Bahama and its people.”

Beyond attracting visitors, Carnival says Celebration Key has generated significant economic benefits for Grand Bahama.

The destination supports approximately 1,000 year-round local jobs, with more than 80 per cent of its food and retail operators being locally owned businesses, including Bahama Mama Seafood Pit, Flipping Fritters and Mini Donut King.

Carnival commemorated the anniversary with a day of celebrations for guests arriving aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom.

Festivities included a birthday-themed Junkanoo parade, interactive scavenger hunts and a giant birthday cake displayed at the entrance to the destination.

The anniversary also coincided with the expansion of Carnival Corporation's Less Left Over food waste reduction program to The Bahamas. As part of the initiative, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest completed the program's first surplus meal donations in the country, redirecting prepared but unserved meals to community organizations on Grand Bahama.

PAX was at Celebration Key’s grand opening last year. Watch our coverage from the event and interview with President Christine Duffy here!