Carnival Corp. to Add Pier Space to As-Yet-Unfinished Celebration Key

Celebration Key, Carnival Corp’s new private island in The Bahamas that opens in summer 2025, may not be open yet, but the cruise company is already making plans to expand its capacity with a pier extension project worth $100 million.

In addition to the two berths slated to be complete by 2025, the expansion will add two more berths, with all four capable of handling up to Carnival’s largest Excel class ships when completed in 2026. Altogether, the expanded cruise pier will accommodate up to four Excel-class ships simultaneously and is projected to welcome nearly 4 million guests annually to Celebration Key by 2028.

“As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we’re already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Designed specifically for Carnival Cruise Line guests, Celebration Key will offer enough expansive spaces and attractions to host the additional guests expected starting in 2027. It will feature a mile-long, white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and a range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options spread across five distinct areas (known as portals).