Key Aspects:
- As of September 6, 2025, the daybeds in the Calypso Lagoon area can be used by guests over the age of 13.
- Previously, this was a free adults-only area that was limited to cruisers over the age of 18.
- The Pearl Cove Beach Club will remain an adults-only attraction, but guests must purchase a pass in order to enjoy it.
For some adult cruisers, what they are most looking forward to is relaxing on an island paradise without any kids running around to disturb the peace.
Calypso Lagoon at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key in the Bahamas has already proven to be great option for guests over the age of 18 looking for this sort of adult-friendly fun or relaxation.
The area has a freshwater lagoon, a swim-up bar, a bar with swing seats, beach access, and more.
Many guests take their experience a step further by reserving a private water daybed in advance, which is an all-day rental that costs $119.99 for two guests.
But as of September 6, 2025, which is just about a week away, younger teenagers will also be welcomed to relax on the daybeds in the formerly adults-only haunt.
Carnival sent a letter informing guests who had booked and paid for their daybed reservations of the change:
“Thank you for purchasing the Water Daybed at Calypso Lagoon Swim Up Bar 18+ as part of your upcoming visit to Celebration Key…At the time of your purchase, this area within Calypso Lagoon was designated for guests 18 years and older,” the letter reads.
While this area is geared toward adults, a small section has always been family-friendly.
“However, effective September 6, 2025, we are updating the age requirement to 13 years and older, allowing a broader range of guests to enjoy the space,” the update continued.
It’s unclear at this time if the new age limit applies to the entirety of the adults-only section within Calypso Lagoon, or if younger teens will need to stay closer to the daybeds.
If guests are unhappy with this change, they are allowed to modify their plans in the HUB App or online through Carnival’s website.
Lowered Age Limit Met With Criticism
Celebration Key only just opened on Grand Bahama Island on July 19, 2025. As it’s still early days, it makes sense that Carnival is making some tweaks to how the private destination should be run.
But in this case, cruise guests are not happy about the change.
Some guests theorized that the age limit was lowered because crew members were having trouble enforcing the adults-only requirement.
“So instead of enforcing the 18+ rule, they change it to 13+ which they still won’t enforce,” one cruiser quipped.
As the daybeds are located in a prime spot near the swim up bar, others were worried about teens getting access to alcohol when they shouldn’t, which can become dangerous.
The crew members are of course not allowed to serve alcohol to underage guests, but some are worried about mischievous teens swiping a drink from other unsuspecting patrons.
“The swinging bar needs to be adults only. Takes just one drunk to not see a kid get their drink,” one person noted.
Read Also: What Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?
But perhaps the crux of the issue is that there is now no longer a free adults-only section within Celebration Key.
The Pearl Cove Beach Club at the western edge of the destination continues to enforce an age limit of 18 and up, and has its own selection of daybeds and cabanas to rent.
However, guests have to purchase passes to get in and there are only a limited number of these available per day.
Some are taking this change as Carnival forcing adults who want a kid-free experience to hand over more money – and this is following pushback to the prices of other experiences and dining options offered at the island destination.
“Well they weren’t making any money off the Calypso Lagoon. But you notice how they’re directing you to go pay more,” one cruiser observed.
“Honestly, I think this is wrong. It also seems they are forcing you to buy the admission to Pearl Cove,” another reacted.
As of the time of publication, admission to the Pearl Cove Beach Club ranges from $99.99 to $179.99 depending on if guests just buy general access or select an inclusive package that includes an open bar and/or food from the restaurant.
