Carnival’s brand-new unique vacation spot, Celebration Key, formally opened in July 2025 on Grand Bahama Island and we were among the first guests to visit. Not like conventional cruise non-public islands, Celebration Key operates extra like an “unique vacation spot” reasonably than an extension of your ship. This implies understanding what’s included versus what prices further is essential for planning your excellent day in paradise. That’s why we’ve put collectively this entire information following our go to to clarify what’s truly included on Celebration Key and what’s not so you may finances accordingly.
What’s FREE on Carnival Celebration Key
The excellent news? Celebration Key presents loads of complimentary experiences that may simply fill your whole day with out spending a dime past your cruise fare. From the second you step off the ship, you’ll have entry to among the most spectacular pool and seashore amenities within the Bahamas, together with family-friendly actions, dwell leisure, and handy transportation across the island.
Celebration Key doesn’t observe the “the whole lot included” mannequin like another cruise line non-public islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay or NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay; nonetheless, the facilities which are included are fairly spectacular. The centerpiece lagoon swimming pools alone are definitely worth the go to, and when mixed with the pristine seashores, sports activities amenities, and genuine Bahamian vibes, you may completely have a tremendous day with out breaking the financial institution.
Seaside and Pool Entry
- Starfish Lagoon: Household-friendly freshwater lagoon with mild sloped entry
- Calypso Lagoon: Grownup-friendly freshwater lagoon with DJ leisure
- Starfish Seaside: Household-friendly seashore space with complimentary loungers and umbrellas
- Calypso Seaside: Grownup-oriented seashore space with loads of free seating and umbrellas too
- 18+ Part of Calypso Lagoon: Adults-only pool space (complimentary, western aspect of lagoon)
Mixed, these lagoons whole over 275,000 sq. ft, making them the 2 largest freshwater lagoons within the Caribbean. In truth, they’re 8 instances bigger than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Lagoon.
Household Actions & Leisure
- Guppy Grotto Splash Pad: Shallow wading pool and water options for little ones
- Gaming Pavilion: Desk tennis, cornhole, and extra
- Sports activities Courts: Basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts throughout Starfish and Calypso areas
- Reside Leisure: Caribbean music at Paradise Plaza and Junkanoo parades twice each day
- Iconic Picture Ops: Solar-shaped arch at Paradise Plaza and the towering Suncastle construction
Meals & Drinks
- Choose Meals: One meal per visitor as a part of Island Eats (extra on this under)
- Iced Water: Iced water stations and water bottle refills stations across the resort
Transportation
- Complimentary Trams: Two tram loops serving all portals with pickups each 5-10 minutes
- Seaside Wheelchairs: Out there at Paradise Plaza on a first-come foundation
- Straightforward Strolling: Simply 6-10 minutes from ship to Paradise Plaza
WiFi
- Ship Web: Shipboard WiFi works whereas ashore
- Carnival HUB App: HUB app works ashore even and not using a WiFi bundle
Resort Facilities
- Freshwater showers
- Restrooms
- Towel Trade: Visitors should deliver towels from the ship however can change for dry ones on the Cabana Concierge throughout the day
Island Eats: Carnival’s Distinctive Free Meal Program
You’ve most likely heard by now that issues work a bit otherwise on the subject of food on Celebration Key. Not like different cruise non-public islands with limitless buffets, Celebration Key makes use of the “Island Eats” credit score system. This entitles every visitor to one meal at one time throughout the day at choose places and on choose gadgets.
How Island Eats Works:
- One credit score per visitor on your whole go to
- Select both:
- One full meal at fast-casual venues (entrée + aspect + cookie)
- 25% low cost on one entrée at full-service eating places
- All stateroom credit are linked – watch out to not use another person’s credit score in your cabin
- Children below 12 eat free from children’ menus at full-service eating places (with their Island Eats credit score)
- Drinks NOT included with the meal – solely ice water is free island-wide
The place to Use Your Island Eats Credit score
Quick-Informal Choices (Full Meal Included):
- Captain’s Galley Meals Corridor (burgers, pizza, sizzling canines)
- Meals Vans throughout each lagoons (number of choices)
- Snack Shacks (wraps and salads)
Full-Service Eating places (25% Off Entrée):
- Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen (Calypso Lagoon)
- Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews (Calypso Lagoon)
- Gill’s Grill (Starfish Lagoon)
Professional Tip: Assessment menus fastidiously as not all gadgets at every venue are coated by Island Eats credit. Be sure you search for the Island Eats image earlier than ordering in case you don’t wish to pay out-of-pocket. To complicate issues even additional, among the meals are ONLY obtainable via Island Eats. As an illustration, the Island Eats meal on the Fowl Play meals truck is 4 wings, however you may solely order 6-piece or 10-piece wings when paying a la carte.
What Prices Additional on Celebration Key
Whereas Celebration Key supplies wonderful complimentary facilities, understanding the upcharge gadgets is essential for finances planning. As we’ve already mentioned, not like cruise non-public islands the place most meals is limitless, Celebration Key operates otherwise. Premium experiences, all drinks, and extra eating past your one Island Eats credit score all come at an additional price.
Sure, Carnival’s Cheers beverage package does NOT work on Celebration Key both. This implies all drinks in addition to iced water will price you further. This consists of alcoholic drinks, bottled water, espresso, and soda.
Whereas Carnival’s beverage packages don’t lengthen to the island, and your single Island Eats credit score might not cowl the whole lot your loved ones needs to eat all through the day, the opposite upcharge experiences are typically well-priced when in comparison with related facilities at land-based Caribbean resorts.
So, let’s breakdown what prices further and the way a lot they really price.
Drinks
- All drinks price further – Carnival’s Cheers! bundle does NOT work on the island
- Cocktails: $12.50-$16
- Beer: $7-$9
- Wine: $8-$11.50
- Espresso: $3.25-$7.75
- Delicate drinks: $3.50
- Solely ice water is complimentary
Premium Experiences
- Suncastle Waterslides: $15 per individual for all-day entry to twin racing slides
- Pearl Cove Seaside Membership (Adults-Solely):
- Fundamental entry: $100+ per individual (consists of welcome drink)
- Open bar entry: $140+ per individual (10-drink restrict)
- All-inclusive: $180+ per individual (consists of lunch from a separate menu + 10 drinks)
Extra Meals & Treats
- Ice cream at Yumshine Scoops: $5+
- Espresso at Suncastle Grounds: $3.25-$7.75
- Extra meals past your Island Eats credit score
Cabana & Villa Leases
- Cabanas: $600-$900 (accommodate 4-6 friends)
- Over-Lagoon Cabanas: $740+ (consists of non-public solar shelf)
- AquaBanas: $450+ (floating cabanas for as much as 8 individuals)
- Tremendous Villas: $1,800-$2,800 (accommodate as much as 10 friends)
- Daybeds: $150+ (two-person daybeds with cover)
Resort Facilities
- Lockers: Leases situated close to restrooms and have built-in cellphone chargers
- Massive lockers (accommodates backpacks, baggage, small strollers, and so forth.) are $20 all day and $10 hourly
- Medium lockers (appropriate for small private gadgets) are $15 all day price and $5 hourly
- Visitors who buy all-day entry might reap the benefits of locker hopping which permits them to relocate to a different obtainable locker financial institution all through the day
- Lockers are free for Pearl Cove Seaside Membership members
- Purchasing: Lokono Cove
- Watersport leases:
- noodles $10.99
- floating mats and tubes $19.99
- snorkel gear $19.99
- kayaks beginning at $29.99
- stand-up paddleboards $39.99
Shore Excursions
Whereas visiting Carnival’s Celebration Key, friends can freely depart the resort to discover extra of Grand Bahama Island if they want. They will hire taxis or e-book shore excursions straight with Carnival. Some examples of shore excursions obtainable embody:
- ATV adventures and seashore breaks
- Zipline experiences at Pirate’s Cove
- Grand Bahama Island excursions
- Swimming with pigs excursions
How Celebration Key Compares to Different Non-public Islands
Understanding the place Celebration Key matches within the spectrum of cruise private destinations helps set real looking expectations on your go to. Whereas it doesn’t provide the all-inclusive expertise of Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay or Disney’s Castaway Cay, it supplies considerably extra worth than conventional Caribbean ports the place nearly the whole lot prices further.
Consider Celebration Key as the center floor between totally inclusive non-public islands and pay-per-experience locations. You’re getting high-end amenities and one meal included, however you’ll wish to finances for drinks and extra meals all through the day. This mannequin permits Carnival to supply spectacular facilities mixed with genuine Bahamian aptitude whereas maintaining cruise fares competitive.
Extra Included Than:
- Conventional ports within the Bahamas and Caribbean the place the whole lot prices further
- Carnival Corp. locations like Mahogany Bay and Amber Cove
Much less Included Than:
- Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay (limitless meals, drink packages work)
- Disney’s Castaway Cay (in depth complimentary eating)
- Norwegian’s Nice Stirrup Cay (free lunch and a few drinks)
- Carnival Corp.’s Half Moon Cay (limitless buffet however Carnival’s drink bundle doesn’t work)
Finances Planning Ideas for Celebration Key
Sensible planning could make all of the distinction between a traumatic day of surprising prices and a soothing trip.
The great thing about Celebration Key’s you can simply customise your expertise primarily based in your finances and priorities. Whether or not you wish to keep on with the complimentary facilities or splurge on premium experiences, figuring out your choices prematurely allows you to make intentional selections reasonably than impulse choices.
For a Finances-Pleasant Day:
- Use your Island Eats credit score properly at meals vans or Captain’s Galley Meals Corridor
- Persist with free actions: lagoons, seashores, gaming pavilion, sports activities courts
- Deliver a refillable water bottle free of charge water stations
- Return to ship for extra meals if wanted
For a Splurge Day:
- E-book Pearl Cove Seaside Membership for adults-only luxurious
- Hire a cabana or villa for premium facilities
- Attempt the Suncastle waterslides
- Discover a number of eating places and bars throughout the island
Professional Cash-Saving Ideas:
- Return to ship free of charge eating: Buffet and different informal venues stay open whereas in Celebration Key
- Share cabanas with different households to separate prices
- Forego shore excursions and simply calm down on the seashore or within the lagoon swimming pools
- Wait to eat alcoholic drinks till again on the ship; beverage packages nonetheless work on the ship whereas docked in Celebration Key
- Verify your cell service protection: In case your plan doesn’t embody the Bahamas, depart your cellphone in airplane mode so that you don’t incur roaming prices
The Backside Line
Celebration Key presents spectacular complimentary facilities, notably the large lagoon swimming pools and exquisite seashores. The Island Eats program supplies one strong meal per individual, although the dearth of limitless eating and beverage packages means you’ll seemingly spend greater than at different cruise non-public islands.
Finances roughly $50-$100 per individual for a snug day together with drinks and snacks, or $150-$200+ per individual in order for you a extra premium expertise.
Regardless of the extra prices, Celebration Key delivers on Carnival’s promise of FUN with genuine Bahamian touches and loads of methods to customise your day of enjoyable within the solar.
Incessantly Requested Questions About Celebration Key
Can I depart Celebration Key and return to the ship throughout the day? Sure, you may come and go between the ship and Celebration Key as many instances as you need. The ship’s complimentary eating venues and a few bars stay open whereas docked.
What ought to I deliver from the ship to Celebration Key? Deliver your Sail & Signal card, bank card/money, bathing swimsuit, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, towels, and any private gadgets you want.
Can I deliver meals and drinks from the ship to Celebration Key? The official reply is not any, nonetheless, you seemingly received’t be stopped for bringing a small quantity of non-alcoholic drinks to Celebration Key, like bottled water or gatorade. Alcoholic drinks from the ship are strictly prohibited as are coolers with meals.
Are seashore chairs, towels, and umbrellas obtainable at Celebration Key? Seaside chairs and umbrellas are complimentary and may be discovered all through the seashores and surrounding the lagoon swimming pools. Seaside towels ought to be introduced from the ship until you have got Pearl Cove Seaside Membership entry.
Are cellphone charging stations obtainable on Celebration Key? Chargers (USB-A and USB-C) can be found inside for-fee lockers, and shops can be found in massive cabanas and tremendous villas.
Are there therapeutic massage or spa providers obtainable? Spa providers will not be at present provided at Celebration Key.
What’s the swim diaper coverage? Common diapers will not be permitted in any pool amenities. Swim diapers are required for non-potty-trained kids within the splash pad and shallow areas of Starfish Lagoon.
Are there lifeguards at Celebration Key? Sure, Celebration Key has skilled lifeguards stationed at swimming pools and choose seashore areas for security.
Is smoking allowed at Celebration Key? Sure, however smoking of every kind is just permitted in designated areas. Verify supplied maps or signage across the island for particular places.
Are scooters allowed at Celebration Key? Visitors are welcome to deliver their scooters into port, however there are not any designated charging stations.
Feedback
What do you consider the checklist of Carnival Celebration Key inclusions? Do you suppose it compares to different cruise non-public locations? Drop us an anchor under to share your Celebration Key critiques.
The put up What’s Included on Carnival Celebration Key: Your Complete Guide to Free vs. Paid Activities appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
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