Celebration Key (Grand Bahama)

Where ships dock

Walk 6–10 min from the ship to Paradise Plaza.

• Celebration Key cruise pier10 min walk

Best time to go

Carnival opened Celebration Key in July 2025, and its sailings from Florida and other US homeports call here. Sister lines Princess and AIDA also list it.

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Paradise Plaza (from the ship)Walk10 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Celebration Key is Carnival's own destination, so the paid extras here (Pearl Cove, cabanas, the Suncastle slides, rentals and excursions) are sold by the cruise line, either ahead of your sailing on Carnival's site or at the Shore Excursions desk in Paradise Plaza. A lot is free: the beaches, both lagoons, the splash pad, chairs, umbrellas, the sports courts, live music and one meal each. Carnival's guide also marks an exit at Lokono Cove for exploring Grand Bahama and says taxis and rental cars are available, but it publishes no fares. If you like booking your own tours with more choice and smaller groups, save that for ports like Nassau, Freeport or Key West, and browse the tours in those guides.

• Onboard beverage packages don't work at Celebration Key, so drinks ashore are paid separately.
• Sail & Sign cards are not taken at the retail shops. Bring some cash for souvenirs.
• Carnival's online pre-purchase window for some add-ons closes one to three days before you sail; after that, ask on board. Aqua Rentals on the island are first come, first served.
• Pearl Cove Beach Club is 18+ and needs a paid package. The southwest side of Calypso Lagoon and Calypso Beach is for guests 13 and older.
• If you head out to explore Grand Bahama by taxi or rental car, allow plenty of time to get back before all-aboard.

Getting around

• WalkIt is a 6–10 minute walk from the ship to Paradise Plaza, the main hub.
• TramTwo tram lines run in a continuous loop: the Starfish Tram Line between Lokono Cove and Starfish Lagoon, and the Calypso Tram Line between Lokono Cove and Calypso Lagoon.
• TaxiCarnival's guide marks an exit at Lokono Cove for exploring Grand Bahama and says taxis and rental cars are available. No fares are published.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

Your Sail & Sign card is needed to reboard and is accepted at the dining venues, along with credit cards. The retail shops don't take Sail & Sign, so bring cash for small souvenirs. There are ATMs on the island. The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar, and both are accepted.

Tipping

In The Bahamas, about 15% is the usual tip for good service, but many places already add a gratuity to the bill, so check first.

Phones

Onboard internet plans carry over to Celebration Key, and the Carnival HUB app works there even without an internet plan.

Must-sees

• Paradise Plaza and the SuncastleWalkableThe first area you reach from the ship, with live music, the Junkanoo Parade, ice cream and the 10-story Suncastle, which you can climb. Its two racing slides cost extra.
• Calypso LagoonWalkableThe adult-friendly freshwater lagoon with DJ Island, Long Necks swim-up bar and Sunshine Swings Bar. Its southwest side is for guests 13 and older.
• Starfish LagoonWalkableThe family lagoon with a gently sloped entry, the Guppy Grotto splash pad, sports courts and a family-only stretch of beach.
• Pearl Cove Beach ClubWalkableAn adults-only (18+) club with a private beach, infinity pool, swim-up bar and restaurant. Entry needs one of three paid packages: Access, Open Bar or All Inclusive.
• Lokono CoveWalkableA market area named for Grand Bahama's Lucayan people, with Bahamian artisans, a straw market, murals and coffee. Land excursions leave from here.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Beaches, chairs and umbrellasFreeCalypso Beach and Starfish Beach are part of a mile-long stretch of sand. Loungers, umbrellas and freshwater showers are free.
• Calypso and Starfish lagoonsFreeTwo big freshwater lagoons. Starfish is the family lagoon with a gently sloped entry; Calypso has DJ Island and swim-up bars.
• Guppy Grotto splash padFreeA coral-reef-themed splash pad at Starfish Lagoon with a 2-foot-deep wading pool and water toys.
• Island Eats mealFree (one meal)One free meal per person at a fast-casual or walk-up spot with your Sail & Sign card, or 40% off one entrée at a full-service restaurant.
• Sports courts, live music and JunkanooFreeBasketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, plus live music and the Junkanoo Parade in Paradise Plaza.

Eat like a local

• Captain's Galley Food HallFast-casual food hall at Starfish Lagoon with burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, tacos, burrito bowls and Mediterranean bowls. Select items count as your Island Eats meal.
• Food trucks and snack shacksLocal vendors serve beach classics and Bahamian dishes; snack shacks have grab-and-go wraps and salads.
• Mingo's Tropical Bar & KitchenFull-service spot by Calypso Lagoon with conch fritters, local fish, coconut shrimp and frozen drinks.
• Gill's GrillFull-service seafood (local fish, lobster) plus chicken, burgers and kids' meals by Starfish Lagoon.
• Surf N' Sauce BBQ & BrewsSmoked barbecue and craft beer by the lagoon.
• Swim-up and swing barsLong Necks swim-up bar and Sunshine Swings Bar at Calypso Lagoon, and Parrotfish swim-up bar at Starfish Lagoon. You must be 21 to buy alcohol.

Rainy-day backups

• Lokono CoveBrowse the straw market, Bahamian art and crafts, duty-free jewelry and the murals, with hot or iced drinks at Suncastle Grounds Coffee.
• Paradise PlazaLive music, Yumshine Scoops ice cream and the Fun For the Sun shop for anything you forgot.
• Lockers with chargersRent a locker with USB-A and USB-C chargers to keep your phone dry and topped up.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution, because of crime (as of July 28, 2026)

• The State Department says most crime in The Bahamas happens in Nassau and Freeport.
• The US and UK both say boating and water sports in The Bahamas are poorly regulated, so take care with water activities and follow local weather and water warnings.
• There is a First Aid Station on the island, and Pharmaboxes sell over-the-counter medicine and personal care items.
• Celebration Key is smoke-free except in designated areas.
• Hurricane season normally runs June 1 to November 30.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at the pier beside the destination, so there is no tender. It is a 6–10 minute walk from the ship to Paradise Plaza.

• Free beach wheelchairs are available at Paradise Plaza, first come, first served.
• Carnival says accessible trams run on a regular rotation around the island.
• Service animal relief areas are marked on the island map.
• Strollers are not available to borrow, so bring your own.
• The Suncastle slides have height and weight limits, and some water activities and excursions have their own rules; ask at the Shore Excursions desk.