Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key
Grand Bahama Island
COURTESY CARNIVAL
- Architects/Landscape Architects: Bermello Ajamil & Partners
- Designer: Martin Aquatic
- Pool/Spa/Water Feature Contractor/General Contractor: Bahamas Environmental Group
- Water Treatment Technology: Blue Mar Basins
- Theming: PGAV Destinations
- MEP Engineer: HNGS
- Structural Engineer: MUEngineers
Aquatics comes to the rescue again. Among the cruise lines hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival Cruises launched a recovery strategy that included developing its own port in partnership with the Bahamian government. At its heart: a major destination waterpark.
The cruise line’s research found that many guests prefer the safety and convenience of a private port. Celebration Key responds with amenities for all ages centered on the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons. Beyond offering recreation, the destination also celebrates Bahamian culture.
The layout includes three distinct “portals” centered on the two 3.5-acre, nearly symmetric lagoons separated by a land bridge. On one side, Starfish Lagoon targets families with features such as two 350-ft-long waterslides, beach entries, a swim-up bar, and floating cabanas called Aquabanas. Within this family-friendly portal, the 5,000 sq. ft. Guppy Grotto features a zero-depth splashpad that gently slopes to a 2-ft-deep wading pool suitable for younger children.
On the other side of the bridge, Calypso Lagoon is geared toward adults, boasting features such as a poolside bar with nearly
50 swings for those who want to dip their toes in the water. The 18-and-up Pearl Cove Beach Club provides a grown-up retreat with a 6,500 sq. ft. infinity pool featuring a large sunshelf, loungers, and a swim-up bar. Finally, Lokono Cove celebrates Bahamian culture through the sale of local art and handmade goods.
COURTESY CARNIVAL
The waterpark’s centerpiece, the 10-story Suncastle, serves as an entry point for the property, visually anchoring it and providing an instant reference point for a sense of place among the acreage. It features two racing waterslides serving the family-friendly portal, Starfish Lagoon.
Bright colors and beach-inspired theming reinforce the Bahamian influence. Orange and yellow shade sails, teal cabana roofs, and pink and blue waterslides echo the islands’ vibrant palette. Caribbean and oceanic influences are evident in starfish and sea creatures embedded in the splashpad, the Suncastle’s seashells and wet-sand coloring, and waterslide names such as Flash Flamingo and Mach 3 Marlin.
Regardless of scale, island construction always faces one major challenge: transporting materials and securing skilled technicians and craftspeople. To solve this problem, designer Martin Aquatic used its Blue Mar Basins technology, an integrated system including the major equipment needed to manage the
7 million gallons. The firm also developed a submersible lighting system for illuminating such large basins.
Completed in July 2025, Celebration Key has already driven record demand and high-margin onboard spending, welcoming more than one million guests in its first five months. Carnival expects two million visitors this year and four million annually by 2028.
A thatched-roof swim-up cabana provides a haven for grown-ups while reflecting the theming of the park.
Between the two 7-million-gallon lagoons, the 10-story Suncastle serves as a visual touchstone, and reinforces the themes of Bahamian culture and sea life.
SUPPLIERS:
Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key
Grand Bahama Island
- Controller/control system: Blue Mar Basins
- Filtration: Blue Mar Basins
- Floor Covering: Life Floor
- Heaters: AquaCal
- Interactive Water Features: WhiteWater
- Pool: Myrtha Pools
- Slides: WhiteWater
