Government officials, community leaders and local residents of Grand Bahama were treated to an exclusive preview of Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new exclusive destination. The special preview event showcased the fun Carnival guests will experience, while creating significant economic opportunities for the local community. The preview took place in tandem with the embarkation of Carnival Vista that will make the first official visit to Celebration Key for its July 19 grand opening.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and the Carnival Vista team prepare to set sail on the cruise that will make the first visit to Celebration Key.

During the preview event, attendees experienced the destination’s key features firsthand, including its centerpiece Suncastle and racing waterslides, as well as the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean. Local officials toured the five distinct portals that will offer guests diverse experiences, from next-level relaxation at the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club to ultra-fun family adventures at Starfish Lagoon. The destination is home to more than 30 food and beverage venues and a retail village that features the work of local artisans.

“Celebration Key is a beautiful destination that I know will be extremely popular with our guests, but it’s also a beautiful representation of the great partnership between Carnival and the people of Grand Bahama. This is the first major project to be completed on the island of Grand Bahama in 20 years or more, and we’re proud to be the cruise line to bring it to fruition,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We wouldn’t be here today, now just a week from our first official visit with Carnival Vista, without the dedication of hundreds of Bahamians who helped to build Celebration Key. We’re proud as well of the hundreds of long-term jobs created by the destination’s daily operations – providing substantial economic benefits to the island while also celebrating Bahamian culture.”

The team at Celebration Key welcomes Grand Bahama locals and leaders for a preview event to experience the fun in store at Carnival Cruise Line’s new destination.

Duffy also welcomed guests on board Carnival Vista in Port Canaveral today, making a special announcement to guests who will make the inaugural visit to Celebration Key in one week. The opening ceremony will be broadcast on Carnival Cruise Line’s Facebook page beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 19. After its grand opening, the destination is set to welcome 20 Carnival ships from ten U.S. homeports. Celebration Key is expected to bring approximately two million guests to Grand Bahama in its first year of operation, generating significant revenue for the local economy.