Grand Bahama · The Bahamas
Carnival’s private beach and lagoon destination on Grand Bahama.
Celebration Key has a mile-long beach, two freshwater lagoons and the Suncastle, a sandcastle with racing waterslides, Carnival says. Carnival tours go on to Freeport, Port Lucaya and Banana Bay.
See The Suncastle
Celebration Key
Paradise Plaza is where you arrive, with live music and the Guest Services desk. Carnival calls the Suncastle a 10-story sandcastle; its two racing waterslides cost extra.
See Carnival’s Paradise Plaza Page (opens a new tab)Unwind Beach
Grand Bahama · Carnival tour
Carnival’s tour leaves from Lokono Cove. You get about four hours on the beach at Banana Bay, on a five-hour trip.
View Carnival’s Banana Bay Tour (opens a new tab)Shop Market
Grand Bahama · Carnival tour
Carnival’s open-top bus tour leaves from Lokono Cove. You get 2.5 hours of free time in the marketplace shops, on a five-hour trip.
View Carnival’s Port Lucaya Tour (opens a new tab)Explore Gardens
Freeport · Carnival tour
Carnival’s 4.5-hour bus tour of Freeport includes a guided walk through the garden’s trails, waterfalls and fountains. It also stops at Port Lucaya Marketplace.
View Carnival’s Garden of the Groves Tour (opens a new tab)Every ship docks at Carnival’s four-berth pier, so there is no tender.
If you do one thing here
Starfish and Calypso are freshwater lagoons of 275,000 square feet each. Carnival calls them the largest in the Caribbean.
Starfish is the family lagoon, with the Guppy Grotto splash pad and a shallow pool. Calypso is the adult-friendly one, with DJ Island and the Long Necks swim-up bar; its southwest side, next to Mingo’s, is for guests 13 and over.
Carnival’s Starfish Lagoon Page (opens a new tab)Carnival’s Calypso Lagoon Page (opens a new tab)
Carnival’s guide says first aid stations are spread across the island.
Weather: Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Nassau airport (station 78073), 1991–2020 normals. Hurricanes: NOAA National Hurricane Center.
Make it part of your voyage
Twenty Carnival ships call here from 10 US homeports, and Princess Cruises starts calling on 1 November 2026.
On the south side of Grand Bahama, in the east of the island. It is about 13 miles in a straight line from central Freeport, by our measurement on OpenStreetMap.
Yes. Carnival Corporation calls it Carnival’s exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, purpose-built for Carnival Cruise Line guests.
No. Ships dock at the pier, and Carnival says the walk to Paradise Plaza takes about 10 minutes.
Carnival does not publish a ship-call calendar. Carnival Corporation said three- and four-ship days would be routine from September 2026.
Carnival says trained lifeguards watch the pools and select beach areas. Its guide lists first aid stations across the island.
Yes. Carnival’s land tours leave from Lokono Cove, and Carnival’s guide lists local taxis and rental cars there.
Each guest gets one free meal at select fast-casual venues, or 40% off one entree at a full-service restaurant, Carnival says. Pearl Cove Beach Club is not included, and bar drinks cost extra.
No. Carnival charges a fee for the Suncastle’s two racing slides. Unlimited rides come with cabana and Supervilla bookings, but not with daybeds.
Yes. Pearl Cove Beach Club is for guests 18 and over, and you must buy an access package. Part of Calypso Lagoon is for guests 13 and over.
On 22 October 2026, Carnival listed its Grand Bahama tours from $44.99 (Open Top and Port Lucaya), from $54.99 (Banana Bay) and from $69.99 (Garden of the Groves). Prices can change.
Yes. Lokono Cove has local art, handcrafted goods and duty-free shopping. Sail & Sign cards are not accepted in the shops, so bring a credit card or cash; there is an ATM.
Official averages exist for Nassau, not Grand Bahama. In Nassau, December averages a high of 80°F and 1.7 inches of rain.
