The Tribune

CARNIVAL yesterday said it has unlocked 700,000 extra annual cruise passenger arrivals to Grand Bahama through completion of the pier expansion project at its $600m Celebration Key destination.

The cruise line, in a statement, said the addition of two new berths will enable four ships to dock at Celebration Key at the same time thus increasing vessel calls by 200 per year. It added that the expansion will enable its flagship Grand Bahama location to receive more than 13,000 guests per day.

Carnival said the doubling of berth capactiy from the original two, which were present when Celebration Key opened in July 2025, to now four occurred ahead of schedule.

"Celebration Key is one of the centrepieces of our Paradise Collection – a bold destination built to redefine what a Caribbean vacation can feel like," said Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation’s chief executive.

"From a mile of white sand beach to the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons and five distinct experience portals, every part of Celebration Key was designed to deliver something unforgettable. Finishing the pier extension ahead of schedule gives us a real jump on meeting the extraordinary demand we're seeing, and allows us to bring even more guests to this unique Bahamian paradise sooner than expected."

Twenty Carnival Cruise Line ships now call at Celebration Key from 10 US home ports. The cruise line added that, from September 2026, three and four-ship days will be routine in Grand Bahama, with Princess Cruises and AIDA  joining the vessel rotation later this year.

"Celebration Key's expansion reflects continued confidence in Grand Bahama and in The Bahamas as a leading tourism destination," said Glenys Hanna Martin, minister of tourism.

"Our priority is to ensure that investments of this scale create meaningful opportunities for Bahamian businesses, expand employment and deliver lasting economic benefits to our people. We congratulate the team at Celebration Key on its first anniversary, and look forward to its continued contribution to Grand Bahama's economy and the well-being of its communities."

"The expansion of Celebration Key's pier is a powerful endorsement of Grand Bahama's economic potential," said Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama.

"Every ship that calls on our island creates opportunities for Bahamians - from entrepreneurs and small businesses to countless families who depend on a thriving tourism sector.

“This investment represents more than new infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our economy and a future built on sustainable, year-round growth."

Carnival added that Celebration Key will have welcomed around 2.5m guests when it marks its frst anniversary on July 19, 2026. It added that the destination’s second year is expected to see that number grow by 40 percent or one million to 3.5 million.

The cruise line added that, according to an economic impact study by Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company), the development, construction and ongoing operation of Celebration Key is projected to create more than 2,500 direct Bahamian jobs, generate $3.2bn in extra government revenue and contribute $9.7bn in additional GDP impact over the next two decades. That translates into an annual GDP impact of $485m and tax revenue increase of $160m.

Celebration Key is one of the seven Caribbean destinations that make up Carnival Corporation's Paradise Collection. They also include RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale (Roatan), Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), Puerto Maya (Cozumel, Mexico), Grand Turks Cruise Center (Turks & Caicos) and Princess Cays (The Bahamas).