Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating Celebration Key’s first holiday season by decorating the entire new port.
- The seasonal transformation includes themed trees, oversized gift boxes, sand sculptures, and Santa appearances to introduce Christmas programming.
- Passengers visiting Celebration Key in December 2025 will find the festivities extend to Carnival Cruise Line ships, as well.
Cruises passengers stepping onto Celebration Key this month are finding something new waiting for them: The private destination owned by Carnival Cruise Line is bedecked for its first holiday season with holiday decorations lining the walkways, transforming into a tropical-themed North Pole of sorts, complete with Santa sightings.
The festive atmosphere stretches across the destination’s themed portals, with each district featuring its own decorative trees, wreaths, and garlands tailored to its setting.
For instance, Paradise Plaza, the destination’s arrival hub and central gathering area, showcases oversized wrapped boxes, while Lokono Cove, the port’s retail and dining district, is anchored by a 20-foot Celebration Key-themed tree.
Even the sand joins the celebration with Carnival introducing holiday-style sand sculptures, including an 8-foot-tall sand tree in Santa’s Village at Starfish Lagoon, the family-focused portal featuring kids’ activities and lagoon access.
Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship: What to Expect
Of course, Santa will be making an appearance in Starfish Lagoon, greeting families for photo sessions and giving kids a chance to let him know what they want for Christmas.
The Junkanoo parade, a Bahamian tradition that is a staple of the destination, is also getting seasonal updates to costumes and choreography, offering a holiday twist for passengers walking through the port.
Guests sailing to the new destination during December can expect Christmas-style programming both on shore and at sea. Onboard, Carnival Cruise Line voyages are pairing the Celebration Key rollout with seasonal menus, themed events, and entertainment tied to the holidays.
Passengers on Carnival Dream, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Elation, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory are all getting a taste of Christmas on Celebration Key, with each ship sailing to the port in December 2025.
The ships are routinely sailing 3- to 7-night cruises that include stops at Celebration Key.
The cruise line says the debut marks the first of what could become a recurring seasonal experience.
Inside Celebration Key
Celebration Key officially opened on July 19, 2025, when Carnival Vista became the first ship to dock at the new port for nearly 5,000 guests. The opening marked the debut of Carnival Cruise Line’s first private destination designed exclusively for its own guests.
Located on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, roughly 20 miles east of Freeport, Celebration Key spans nearly 65 hectares and features a private white-sand beach, the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and five distinct portals, each offering different amenities and vibes.
The development includes the aforementioned themed areas Paradise Plaza, Starfish Lagoon, and Lokono Cove, along with the natural landscape of Nature’s Wild Life Preserve and the adults-only Calypso Lagoon, where bars, entertainment, and a quieter setting will get a dose of holiday spirit this season.
Guests can enjoy over 30 venues on the property, including a mix of quick-service and sit-down restaurants.
Carnival Corporation, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, will be sending other brands to the port, including Princess Cruises in 2027-2028.
