After years of planning, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination on Grand Bahama is finally open. The first guests stepped foot onto Celebration Key on Saturday, with cruise line executives and “chief fun officer” Shaquille O’Neal waiting to welcome them to their little slice of Bahamian paradise.
Constructing Celebration Key has been a massive undertaking—a $600 million feat that involved more than 1,200 Bahamians and took more than 25 years to bring to life. But, already, Carnival leaders are looking ahead to the future.
“This truly is just the beginning,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, at the Celebration Key opening ceremony.
Christine Duffy, Shaquille O’Neal and Josh Weinstein at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
The colorful and meticulously planned destination boasts two massive freshwater lagoons, more than 30 food and beverage venues, an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, a 166-seat swim-up bar, two 350-foot-long waterslides, and eight types of villas, cabanas and daybeds, among other features.
But the 68 acres that opened this weekend represent just the first phase of Celebration Key. Overall, the destination spans 379 acres, which means Carnival has a lot of room to grow. The company is planning to expand into an additional 154 acres, with another 110 acres being preserved as wetlands.
Carnival Glory and Carnival Conquest at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
The second phase of construction, which is underway now, involves building a $100 million pier extension that will add two more berths to Celebration Key.
Once construction wraps up next year, the four total berths will all be able to accommodate Carnival’s largest ships, its Excel class vessels. The expansion means Celebration Key will be able to welcome nearly 4 million guests each year by 2028.
“Remember this is just phase one,” said Duffy at the opening ceremony. “We’ve got two berths that can accommodate our largest vessel today and also the largest vessel we will have in the future coming in 2029. In phase two of this project, we will add an additional two berths, which you can see are already under construction, and more things for our guests to enjoy.”
A rendering of the second phase of construction at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
A Carnival spokesperson declined to share more details about what’s in store for Celebration Key in the future. However, the company’s vision is “quite grand,” according to Duffy, so travelers can undoubtedly look forward to even more fun amenities and activities in the years to come.
Expanding and Updating RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
The company is also expanding RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the recently renamed private destination in the Bahamas it shares with Holland America Line. The two brands—which are both owned by parent company Carnival Corporation—are teaming up to enhance the destination.
A depiction of changes coming to the newly renamed RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Crews are constructing a new pier on the north side that will be able to accommodate Carnival’s Excel class ships. In the future, guests will be able to arrive at distinct welcome plazas on the south and north sides of the destination.
The south side is also getting a refresh, including a new beach club, an updated lunch venue and renovated facilities. The newly developed north side will also have two lunch venues and island-themed bars.
The upgrades at RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay are designed to complement the island’s landscape and natural beauty. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Overall, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay will also have a new tram service, expanded lounge areas, new cabanas and a new shore excursion pier on the north side. Work is slated to begin in the summer of 2026 and will continue through the end of the year.
Carnival Cruise Line’s New Ships
In the meantime, guests can also eagerly anticipate the debut of several new ships, as Carnival Cruise Line has several new vessels under construction.
Construction is underway on Carnival Festivale (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Carnival Festivale, the fourth ship in the Excel class, is scheduled to debut in the spring of 2027 and will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida. Carnival Tropicale, the fifth ship in the Excel class, is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2028. The ship’s homeport has not been announced yet.
Working with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the brand is also building three 230,000-gross-ton ships on a new platform called Project Ace. The vessels, which do not have names yet, are scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031 and 2033.
“These ships clearly represent the next generation of fun ships,” says Duffy. “They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise vacations for guests. This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment, and re-imagined outer deck amenities.”
Carnival is also making up dates to its existing fleet. Carnival Spirit and Carnival Valor, for instance, recently returned from dry dock with several enhancements, including the addition of a Heroes Tribute Bar, which serves as a hangout for active-duty service members and military veterans.
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