Carnival Vista Makes History as the First Ship to Dock in Celebration Key

The Carnival Vista made its historic arrival in Celebration Key on the morning of July 19, 2025, marking it as the first cruise ship to visit Carnival’s newly established private island destination in Grand Bahama. This visit was part of an eight-night cruise that departed from Port Canaveral on July 12, 2025.

To commemorate the opening of Celebration Key, a special ceremony was organized with attendance from local officials, travel advisors, media representatives, and Carnival Vista’s officers and guests. Notable figures such as Carnival Cruise Line’s President Cristine Duffy, Carnival Corporation’s CEO Josh Weinstein, and the global executive leadership team were present, alongside Chief Maritime Officer Lars Loen, who leads the global port destination development team.

Duffy emphasized the extensive planning and resources involved in bringing the $600 million project to fruition, which was completed on time and within budget. She outlined plans for further investments into the destination, which is expected to host 20 Carnival ships coming from 20 U.S. homeports.

Celebration Key is built to accommodate two large ships at the same time, with plans to expand that capacity to four ships. The destination is designed to welcome Carnival’s new Ace Class ships starting in 2029. Duffy announced projections for 2025, expecting around one million guests to visit Celebration Key, reinforcing its role as an economic asset for Grand Bahama.

The private destination features noteworthy attractions, including the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoon and the world’s largest sandcastle, along with beach clubs, bars, restaurants, and water slides. Duffy also highlighted the employment of over 1,200 Bahamians in the construction and ongoing operations of Celebration Key, showcasing its contribution to local economy.

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