Only Carnival's cruise guests will be able to vacation at this $500 million private resort — take a sneak peek

Brittany ChangFeb 15, 2024, 17:01 IST

Carnival says the docks at its upcoming Celebration Key private destination, shown in a rendering, will be able to accommodate two of its largest ships at a time.Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line's new private destination, Celebration Key, is set to open in July 2025.
The $500 million project is set to feature resort-like amenities and host 2 million guests a year.

One of Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming $500 million projects has the potential to become a massive money tree for the popular operator.

And no, it’s not a cruise ship. It’s a mile-long slice of beachfront land on Grand Bahama island. Carnival is turning the land into its own private destination.

The cruise line says this slice of the Bahamas — dubbed Celebration Key — is set to flex resort-like amenities, including cabanas by the ocean and an infinity pool at the adults-only club.

But would-be visitors will have to be patient: It's not scheduled to begin welcoming cruisers until July 2025.

Carnival has kept many of Celebration Key’s details under wraps

Carnival Cruise Line says it will unveil its $500 million private destination on Grand Bahama island, Celebration Key, in July 2025. It's shown here in a rendering.Carnival Cruise Line

Adults who need a break from rowdy kids can also expect their own section of Celebration Key

Carnival's rendering of the family "portal" shows rows of loungers and a large lagoon.Carnival Cruise Line

We're still a year from its planned debut, but the destination is already listed in more than 500 upcoming itineraries on 18 of Carnival’s 26 ships

The adult-only "portal" is set to have a swim-up bar, shown here in a rendering.Carnival Cruise Line

But it's not the affordable cruise line’s only land-based venture

Guests can rent private villas for the day on Half Moon Cay.Cruise Image Library/Holland America Line

There’s a good reason the cruise giant is going all-in on its land-based portfolio: Private islands can be cash cows for operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Sailboats at Half Moon Cay, a private area owned by Carnival.Cruise Image Library / Holland America Line

There’s a good reason the cruise giant is going all-in on its land-based portfolio: Private islands can be cash cows for operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

For some operators, these exclusive ports could also become a necessity.

Royal Caribbean guests have to shell out extra cash for a ticket to its private island Perfect Day at CocoCay's waterpark.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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Only Carnival's cruise guests will be able to vacation at this $500 million private resort &mdash; take a sneak peek

Carnival has kept many of Celebration Key’s details under wraps

Adults who need a break from rowdy kids can also expect their own section of Celebration Key

We're still a year from its planned debut, but the destination is already listed in more than 500 upcoming itineraries on 18 of Carnival’s 26 ships

But it's not the affordable cruise line’s only land-based venture

There’s a good reason the cruise giant is going all-in on its land-based portfolio: Private islands can be cash cows for operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

For some operators, these exclusive ports could also become a necessity.

Only Carnival's cruise guests will be able to vacation at this $500 million private resort — take a sneak peek