A Photo Tour of Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key

by Dori Saltzman January 23, 2026

the paradise plaza entry at carnival cruise line's private celebration key port of call in the bahamas — Paradise Plaza welcomes visitors to Celebration Key. Photo: Dori Saltzman

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Carnival Cruise Line’s newest private island destination in The Bahamas — Celebration Key — but you want to know how to prepare your clients for it, TMR has you covered.

We were there over the New Year’s holiday and snapped some photos for you.

entrance to celebration key from with two carnival cruise ships in the background — *Currently, two ships can visit Celebration Key at a time. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Entry to Celebration Key is via the pier walkway, about 2,200 feet long. For those who don’t want to or can’t do the walk, trams run regularly between the ship and the entry, and between the entry and other parts of the island.

a junkanoo parade on celebration key island in the bahamas — *Daily junkanoo parade. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Celebration Key was built to give guests the feeling that they’re actually visiting The Bahamas and not just sitting by the beach or a pool. At least once per visit, local Bahamians sing and dance their way through the island during a traditional junkanoo parade.

celebration key's lokono cover with bahamian owned shops — *Lokono Cove is the island’s retail shopping area. (Suncastle Tower, with its two extra-fee waterslides, is in the background.) Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Most of the shops on Celebration Key are Bahamian owned and located in Lokono Cove. Guests will also find individual local vendors selling jewelry and other hand-made crafts in small kiosks set up around Celebration Key. Lokono Cove is also where guests gather for excursions and where they can grab a taxi to visit other parts of the island.

two of the dining venues on celebration key — *Two of several dining venues. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

There are lots of dining options on Celebration Key, but most cost extra. All guests visiting the island receive an “Island Eats” credit, which permits them one item off an Island Eats menu, along with a dessert (typically a chocolate chip cookie). At some dining venues that don’t have an Island Eats menu, guests can use their credit for a discount on extra-cost dining. (This is in lieu of menu items elsewhere.)

food menu for sit-down eatery on celebration key island in the bahamas — *An “Island Eats” menu and regular menu. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Not every sit-down eatery on Celebration Key has an Island Eats menu. Some only have for-fee dining.

food trucks on celebration key island in the bahamas — *Clients will find food trucks throughout Celebration Key. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

In addition to the sit-down dining venues, there are a number food trucks spread around the island. These all have Island Eats menus. Guests place their orders through electronic kiosks and then pick up their food at a pick-up window.

one of the main pools on celebration key island in the bahamas — *One of two main pools on Celebration Key. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Celebration Key has two main pool areas: the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon and the 13-and-older Calypso Lagoon. Clients can splurge on private poolside cabanas in both areas.

the calpyso beach on celebration key island in the bahamas — *Calypso Beach is for cruise guests ages 13 and older. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Both Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon also offer stretches of white-sand beach for cruise guests who prefer the beach over sitting by a pool.

the entrance to the adults-only pearl cove section of carnival cruise line's celebration key — *Entry to the adults-only Pearl Cove costs extra. Photo: Dori Saltzman*

Pearl Cove is Celebration Key’s exclusive, extra-fee adults-only area. Inside guests will find both an infinity pool with swim-up bar and a beach, a dedicated restaurant, and plenty of loungers. Passes to Pearl Cove can be purchased on an all-inclusive basis or just for entry into the space.