Celebration Key Welcomed 2.4 Million Guests in its 1st Year

Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s exclusive destination on Grand Bahama celebrated its first anniversary last week after welcoming 2.4 million guests since opening on July 19, 2025. 

Designed to celebrate the natural beauty of Grand Bahama and the culture of The Bahamas, the destination offers guests the opportunity to connect with the island’s unique spirit while enjoying the fun Carnival is known for. 

The cruise line says the milestone marks a successful inaugural year defined by unforgettable guest experiences, meaningful community partnerships and economic opportunity for Grand Bahama.

In just one year of operation, Celebration Key has delivered incredible guest experiences and cultural immersion memories across its shores:

• 500,000+ thrill-seekers raced down the destination’s signature waterslides.
• 400,000+ sweet treats were served by Mini Donut King, a popular Bahamian-owned food truck.
• 100,000+ refreshing Piña Coladas were enjoyed by guests across the island.
• Hundreds of lively Junkanoo parades brought the vibrant energy and music of The Bahamas directly to travelers. 

Celebration Key also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s first cruise destination to earn Sensory Inclusive Certification through a partnership with KultureCity, reinforcing Carnival’s commitment to providing welcoming and accessible experiences for all guests.

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

“Our goal is to create unforgettable memories for our guests, and in its first year, the destination has done exactly that for more than two 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 the guest experience, Celebration Key has delivered economic opportunities for Grand Bahama. The destination supports approximately 1,000 year-round local jobs and continues to prioritize partnerships with Bahamian entrepreneurs and businesses. Today, more than 80 percent of Celebration Key’s food and retail operators are locally owned, including Bahama Mama Seafood Pit, Flipping Fritters and Mini Donut King. 

The destination’s milestone was celebrated with a day of special festivities for guests visiting aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom. From a special birthday-inspired Junkanoo performance to interactive scavenger hunts and a giant birthday cake displayed at the entrance to welcome guests and mark the occasion, the festivities reflected the energy, fun and Bahamian spirit that have defined Celebration Key’s first year.

The anniversary also coincides with Carnival Corporation’s expansion of its Less Left Over food waste reduction strategy to The Bahamas, where Carnival Cruise Line ships Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest made the program’s first surplus meal donation in the country, redirecting prepared, unserved meals to local community organizations on Grand Bahama.