CELEBRATION KEY, Bahamas -- Under a sweltering Bahamian sun on Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line hosted the first cruise passengers at its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key.
Celebration Key. Photo Credit: Teri West
Cruise editor Teri West toured Carnival's new private island on its opening day and found multiple ways to relax, sip and play in water.
Carnival president Christine Duffy called it a day more than 25 years in the making, and it began with pomp and circumstance to match. A Bahamian band paraded the pier from the Carnival Vista to the shore, and Carnival brand ambassador/chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal made an appearance.
"This truly is just the beginning," Duffy said during opening remarks. "We will have visits from 20 Carnival cruise ships from 10 different U.S. homeports calling here."
Following Duffy's welcome, a burst of fireworks and color exploded from the island's towering sandcastle structure, which then provided confirmation of functioning fire alarms. That was followed by the official ribbon-cutting.
O'Neal visited the destination's basketball court, shooting some of its first hoops and placing his hands in a mold, which will be cemented. When they visit, guests will be able to see how large their hands are compared to Shaq's.
Carnival anticipates 2 million guests in Celebration Key's first year and up to 4 million annually by 2028.
The 68-acre accessible portion of the property is segmented into five portals and includes a 350 million gallon freshwater pool, the 10-story sandcastle structure with two waterslides, beach access and a pay-to-access beach club section with a pool.
The project was a $600 million investment, and as Duffy brought up Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein during her remarks, she smirked, saying, "Josh, thank you for $600 million."
Weinstein immediately quipped, "And it's going to make us $6 billion."
A Bahamian band paraded the pier at Celebration Key's grand opening. Photo Credit: Teri West
Celebration Key can currently support two ships at a time. Cruise guests may opt for a complementary lunch from a food truck or for 25% off an entrée at one of the island's restaurants.
Cabanas and villas of varying sizes are available to rent throughout. Matilda Patterson and her family opted for a cabana set back from the water in the kid-friendly Starfish Lagoon section, which she said they rented for $399.
They were pleased with the fruit, chips and salsa and beverages included as well as the hospitality on the island.
"Everyone's been so friendly," Patterson said. "They seem so happy we're here."