Carnival Cruise Line’s new exclusive destination Celebration Key is celebrating its first holiday season with festive decorations throughout the Grand Bahama island.
The destination, which opened in July 2025, features holiday-themed displays across its five distinct portals.
Holiday Decorations Across Five Portals
Each of Celebration Key’s portals features holiday trees, wreaths, and garlands matching its unique theme. Paradise Plaza displays oversized gift boxes, while Lokono Cove showcases a 20-foot Celebration Key-themed tree.
Starfish Lagoon’s Santa’s Village includes an eight-foot sand tree sculpture and appearances by Santa for family photos. The destination’s signature Junkanoo parade performers wear holiday-themed costumes, adding festive flair to the traditional Bahamian celebration.
Additional sand sculptures appear throughout the island, embracing the tropical setting while incorporating traditional holiday imagery.
Onboard Holiday Activities Continue
Passengers sailing to Celebration Key during the holiday season find themed activities and seasonal menus continuing aboard their ships. Carnival blends its entertainment programming with holiday traditions throughout the cruise experience.
The holiday programming marks the first seasonal celebration at Carnival’s newest destination since its July opening. Celebration Key replaced the cruise line’s former Half Moon Cay port calls for many Caribbean itineraries.
About Celebration Key
Celebration Key opened as Carnival’s exclusive destination in Grand Bahama in July 2025. The 160-acre development features five themed areas: Paradise Plaza (arrival area), Calypso Lagoon (family beach), Starfish Lagoon (adults-only beach), Lokono Cove (nature-focused area), and Paradise Beach Club (premium area with cabanas).
The destination appears on most Carnival Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida homeports, typically as part of weeklong Eastern or Western Caribbean sailings. Carnival invested over $600 million in the project, making it the largest cruise line destination investment in the Bahamas.
The holiday decorations will remain in place through early January 2026.
