By: Dr. Adal Hussain (AKA) Dr. Abbey, Travel Editor @ Large for World Liberty TV

A new exclusive destination from Carnival, nestled on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, that’s designed for Carnival guests.

It’s perfect for adults, families with kids… everybody who appreciates fun and natural beauty.

Get ready for unforgettable experiences like a mile-long white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean† and five “portals” for you to enjoy.

Paradise Plaza™ will be the first portal to explore, welcoming you ashore with guest information, live music, photo ops and more.

Starfish Lagoon™ is made for families — and kids of all ages — with Flash Flamingo and Mach III Marlin waterslides, Guppy Grotto splash pad, and a selection of sports courts offering basketball, beach volleyball and pickleball action.

Calypso Lagoon™ is designed for adults ready to relax… or go for more of an active vibe, with lagoon-side swim-up and swings bars, a DJ island and more.

Pearl Cove Beach Club™ welcomes adults — and only adults — to take paradise to the next level with great ocean views, infinity pool, swim-up bar, elevated dining, plus attentive service poolside or beachside.

Lokono Cove™ offers goods from local artisans, plus showcases Bahamian art, music, history and culture.

Celebration Key™ is just one of a family of exclusive cruise destinations, with each one showcasing a different side of paradise, featuring top beaches, excursions and more.

Celebration Key visit kicks off at Paradise Plaza. So, believe your eyes! That is the world’s largest sandcastle off in the distance.

They call it The Suncastle. Also, believe your ears! Live music is always in the air at Paradise Plaza.

This portal isn’t just a picturesque welcome point, but a place to get info that will help you find your way around Celebration Key.

If you’re looking for the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean†, look no further — it’s right here.Relax the day away in a unique cabana, daybed or super villa along Calypso Lagoon.

A bar where the seats are swings and the floor is made of lagoon? Come on by, we made Sunshine Swings Bar for you! Friendly competition lives at the sports courts, where we get down to some basketball or volleyball.

You’ll find DJ Island in the middle of the lagoon, and that’s where the crowd-rocking beats come from!.If the world’s largest swim-up bar sounds like your kind of watering hole, meet Long Necks Swim-Up Bar.

At Mingo’s Tropical Bar and Kitchen, island atmosphere teams up with favorites like coconut curry chicken, locally-caught fish,  coconut shrimp, burgers and fajitas, plus frozen tropical drinks.

At Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews, we start the smoker early so you can drop by and enjoy authentic barbeque among the palm trees anytime, plus local craft beer.

Food trucks here are run by local vendors. Discover a variety of casual beachside favorites and Bahamian specialties. Enjoy grab-and-go choices like wraps and salads at snack shacks throughout Calypso Lagoon.

Lokono Cove is a colorful showcase of Bahamian culture and shopping whose authenticity extends from the name to much of what’s for sale. Among the kiosks, stores and straw market, some highlights you’ll find in this portal — named for Grand Bahama’s earliest settlers, the peaceful Lucayans — are vibrant mural walls and artisanal goods made by Bahamian vendors.

Bring home a piece of paradise for yourself, or a gift with a great story behind it. And if you’re seeking some sparkle, get ready for duty-free jewelry and diamond shopping.

Bring home something spectacular and duty-free, whether it’s sparkly or simply unique.

Take a break at Suncastle Grounds Coffee and pick up some delicious fuel: hot, iced or frozen. Explore the traditional Bahamian artisan market for handmade treasures.

Starfish Lagoon is Celebration Key’s family-friendly portal, which means it’s the ideal spot to enjoy it all, all together.

Things heat up with friendly competition for kids and adults at the sports courts, while the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoon gives everyone plenty of space to cool down.

And we wouldn’t forget Guppy Grotto, a splash pad made for bringing big splashes to Celebration Key’s smallest guests.

Delicious food and drink are always available at Parrot Fish Swim-Up Bar, Captain’s Galley Food Hall and Gill’s Grill. Beach villas and floating AquaBanas are just a couple of ways families can make this portal their home base. And, of course, the dedicated family beach is nearby.

Carnival’s Celebration Island is actually a very nice island VS some of the other cruises we have been on and the islands did not have too much activity’s to offer.

Carnival’s Celebration Island, has a wonderful beach, with Turquoise waters and white sand beaches stretching close to 1 mile.

I walked the beach, it was very interesting, and the weather was in the 90’s. The beach was very clean and was about 75% full people sunbathing, in their rented chairs many swimming in the ocean, some just taking walks and enjoying the scenery like myself.

The beach was very clean, no litter or food dumped anywhere, and I saw the working staff cleaning any litter immediately when the guests have left, the beach.

Alongside the beach there were private clubs, where one can join and participate, as I approached one of these private clubs, a security officer told me this section of the beach was only for members and not for the general public.

I also enjoyed mostly the traditional Bahamian Junkanoo parade, is a vibrant, cultural celebration featuring costumed dancers, goat-skin drums, cowbells, and whistles.

It serves as one of the main cultural highlights on Celebration Key. The parade route typically travels through Paradise Plaza (the central hub featuring the 10-story Suncastle) and winds its way to Lokono Cove.

The parade allows guests to step off the cruise ship and immediately immerse themselves in authentic Bahamian rhythms and arts.The parade generally runs at least once per visit, allowing guests multiple chances to see local performers.

The Junkanoo parade on Celebration Key is an open cultural event that all visiting Carnival passengers can enjoy without needing a separate admission ticket.

Just before the parade started I was able to speak to Bahamian Peter, well dressed in his carnival outfit, who was playing music with an instrument that looked like a cheese grater.

Peter would dance and make music with the Cheese Grater instrument, the music beat was pretty good. You will able to see peter playing the instrument in our video .    .

There were between 15-20 entertainers dressed in many multi-color outfits, some playing music, some dancing and many walking proudly showing their Bahamian cultural outfits.

The parade started from end of the island and it went to Sandcastle and back. People was following the participants, taking pictures, dancing and I had the pleasure to walk in the Carnival , take many pictures of the entertainers and guests.

Shopping at Celebration Key. The destination features a dedicated portal called Lokono Cove, which serves as a vibrant retail hub designed to reflect Bahamian culture.

Artisan Market: Kiosks and open-air spaces featuring handmade crafts, souvenirs, and art from local Bahamian vendors.

Shopper’s Paradise: A larger retail zone offering Carnival-exclusive merchandise, duty-free items, and fine jewelry.

I met a very nice Artesian Vendor by the name of George, who was selling many bags, Bahamian style, hats, and many more items.

I bought a nice red flat hat with Bahamas name over it as a souvenir, to take back home with me. More than that it was a good way to support George, Artesian Vendor who had a family of 6 to support.

George wanted to give a deep discount, which I appreciated and I told him, I do not want a discount because I am buying only one item.

So I told him I will give him double for the hat, so he can help his family. After hearing this he agreed and I paid him $60.00 Dollars instead of $30.00 he wanted.

I felt good about this, as being a `Humanitarian, you want to give back and help people who need your help.

As I was wearing the hat, I met many people who asked me where I got the hat, I told them go to Georges Store and you can buy it there. Not sure how many went back to buy a hat or accessory from George. But a little kindness goes along way.

Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen: A full-service spot offering local Bahamian flavors like conch fritters and locally caught fish.

I tried a white fish, which was locally caught it was fried, tasted very fresh with fresh vegetables. That was my lunch for that day.

Virgin Piña Coladas & Strawberry Daiquiris were mocktails, (I Do not drink Alcohol) because of religious observation, these drinks were made with fresh fruit and fresh ingredients.

You can taste the freshness in the fruit as you take a sip, you want to immediately take another sip, as you immediately get addicted to the Mocktails. They are very well priced from $12-15 dollars per drink, you get a nice size glass, well worth your money.

This was a great experience, I really enjoyed a full day at Grand Bahama Island in Bahamas, Carnival’s private island, Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

Great weather, wonderful people, some of the best beaches in the Caribbean pristine white-sand beaches, one of the best Carnival parade you can see. From Artisanal shops to duty free to high end shopping all on one island.

Food freshly prepared with fresh ingredients, mouthwatering drinks that melt in your mouth.

This was truly a great experience, Carnival’s private island, Celebration Key in the Bahamas, is a must place to attend and of course book your cruise with Carnival to make this happen at click here.

See more about Grand Bahama Island in Bahamas Tour Celebration Key, May 2026 in our World Liberty TV, Travel and Tourism Channels by clicking here.