Is Celebration Key worth visiting on a Bahamas cruise? In May, we had the opportunity to visit this Carnival Cruise Line destination during our 11-night cruise aboard the Carnival Venezia. Although the wind and sargassum made it difficult to enjoy the beach, we found other ways to enjoy our day and discovered several activities worth considering before your visit.
But hey… that’s just us. Sargassum in Florida during that time was way worse than here, and for someone coming from the North to this beach it was perfect. For us, living in Florida, we didn’t mind skipping a beach day.
In this guide, I’ll share tips to help you plan your day, from attractions that cost extra to dining options, relaxing beach areas, and excursions that let you explore more of Grand Bahama.
What Is Celebration Key and Where Is It Located?
Celebration Key is a destination designed for Carnival Cruise Line guests, located on the southern coast of Grand Bahama, one of the islands of the Bahamas. It is part of Grand Bahama, which means you can also book excursions to explore other parts of the island like visiting Freeport, for example.
The destination is divided into different areas known as portals, featuring beaches, freshwater lagoons, restaurants, shops, and activities for different interests. Some experiences are included with your visit, while others require an additional fee.
You can find more details on the official Celebration Key website.
Beaches, Lagoons, and Attractions
One of the main reasons to visit Celebration Key is its beaches and enormous freshwater lagoons. Also because it might be in a cool itinerary and this is part of it 🙂
For me, in May, Calypso Lagoon, where we decided to go in for a little while, was a bit cold. But I thought The Sunshine Swings Bar & Hangout was pretty cool 🙂
Even though our beach plans didn’t work out as expected, the lagoon gave us another way to enjoy the water. This is a good reminder that the actual experience can vary from the beautiful promotional photos depending on the weather and conditions.
The Giant Sandcastle and Water Slides
One of the most eye-catching attractions is The Suncastle, a large sandcastle-inspired structure with water slides and views of the surrounding area.
Access to the water slides requires an additional fee. If you’re traveling with kids or simply love water attractions, this could be a fun activity to add to your budget.
Check the current price and access rules before your cruise, as fees and availability may change.
More information: The Suncastle and Paradise Plaza.
Is It Worth Renting a Cabana?
If you’d rather spend the day relaxing in the shade with more privacy and comfort, Celebration Key offers cabanas, daybeds, and other upgraded spaces around its lagoons and beaches.
Calypso Lagoon has several options for relaxing near the water, while Pearl Cove Beach Club offers a more exclusive experience for adults, with an infinity pool, private beach area, bar, and food and beverage service.
Pearl Cove Beach Club is for guests ages 18 and older, and access is sold separately. Different packages may be available, ranging from club access to options that include drinks or lunch. Prices depend on the package and date, so check the current rates when booking rather than assuming every option costs the same.
We didn’t rent a cabana or visit Pearl Cove Beach Club during our day at Celebration Key, but these are options worth considering if you’re looking for a more relaxing or upscale experience. Again, we only spent about 2 hours, so paying for something like that for 2 hours obviously is not worthy. IF I ever go back with family or a group of friends… maybe that option could be great.
More information: Pearl Cove Beach Club.
Food at Celebration Key: What’s Included?
This is one detail worth checking before you leave the ship, especially if you purchased a beverage package.
Carnival’s onboard CHEERS! beverage package does not automatically extend to Celebration Key. Drinks are generally purchased separately unless you have a specific package that includes them, such as certain Pearl Cove Beach Club options.
When it comes to food, Carnival’s Island Eats program offers one included fast-casual meal per person at participating venues, which may include food trucks, snack shacks, and Captain’s Galley Food Hall. This does not mean every menu item or every restaurant is complimentary, so check which locations and dishes are included.
You can find more information through Carnival’s official help center.
There are also full-service restaurants and other food and beverage options that cost extra. If you’d like to make the most of what’s already included with your visit, it’s worth checking the menus before deciding where to eat.
Again… before arriving at Celebration Key, stop by Guest Relations or Shore Excursions desks on the ship and they can answer all your questions 🙂
Don’t Miss the Junkanoo Parade
There’s one thing I wish I’d researched before our visit: the Junkanoo parade at Paradise Plaza!
Junkanoo is a traditional Bahamian celebration known for its colorful costumes, music, percussion, and dancing. Celebration Key features entertainment inspired by this tradition, adding a taste of Bahamian culture to the destination.
I missed it because I hadn’t checked the day’s entertainment schedule carefully enough. So, learn from my mistake and check the schedule before leaving the ship. Don’t focus only on the pool and beach; you might find a special performance happening while you’re there!
Excursions to Explore Grand Bahama
You can spend your entire day at Celebration Key, but you can also use your port stop to explore other parts of Grand Bahama. Depending on your sailing date and availability, excursions may include:
- Lucayan National Park and its caves: Explore the island’s natural ecosystems, mangroves, and impressive cave formations.
- Taino Beach: An alternative for travelers who want to spend time at another beach on Grand Bahama.
- Blue Hole Drift Snorkeling: An aquatic adventure for exploring the marine environment while snorkeling.
- Garden of the Groves: A tropical garden with lush vegetation, walking paths, and peaceful natural scenery.
- City tours: Learn more about Grand Bahama’s history, culture, and local life.
Available excursions, itineraries, and prices can change. Start by checking Carnival Shore Excursions for current options or before arriving, visit Shore Excursions on the ship.
Would I Visit Celebration Key Again?
We found Celebration Key to be a beautiful, pleasant, and easy-to-explore destination. Although the beach conditions weren’t ideal during our visit, the huge lagoon, shops, and tropical atmosphere still made it an enjoyable stop.
I think the experience depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a natural beach setting and a chance to explore the island independently, you might prefer booking an excursion outside the complex. But if you like having pools, food, shops, and activities all in one place, Celebration Key can be a convenient way to spend a cruise port day.
And if I return, I’ll make sure to check the Junkanoo entertainment schedule before getting off the ship this time!
For us, 2 hours was good. We strolled around the area, enjoy the Calypso Lagoon and did some shopping before getting back to the ship. For other people, I’m sure spending the whole day by the beach or the lagoons is perfect. Especially if visiting from cold areas or cities where you don’t have a beach nearby, like us here in Florida.
Watch Our Celebration Key Visit
In our video, we take you along as we explore Celebration Key during our Carnival Venezia cruise. You’ll see what the destination looked like during our May visit, the areas we explored, and what it was like walking around this Carnival destination.
If you’re planning a cruise to the Bahamas, I hope this guide helps you decide how to make the most of your day. – Under settings you can change the audio to English –
