The reveals of Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key keep coming, and now children of all ages, and their parents, have the first glance of their own tropical playground in paradise with the announcement of plans for Starfish Lagoon, offering families endless ways to have fun in the sun at the new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama opening in July 2025.

Sailings from Galveston to Celebration Key will begin on the Carnival Dream for 8-day sailings departing July 26, 2025.  As of a recent update, GalvestonCruises.com had rates starting at $1,389.

Carnival Legend joins the fun in January, 2026 with 10-day cruises to Celebration Key.  As of a recent update, GalvestonCruises.com had rates starting at $1,268. Call (409) 763-8678 for more details.

Centered around one of the largest freshwater lagoons* in the Caribbean, Starfish Lagoon will feature a variety of activities for all ages and energy levels, including:

• Named after the national bird and national fish of The Bahamas, the pink Flash Flamingo and blue Mach III Marlin water slides, each over 350 feet long, invite guests to friendly competition as they weave through and around the iconic 10-story high Suncastle in a speedy race with exciting turns and flashes of light and color culminating in an exhilarating splashing photo finish.
• Located right at the entrance to Starfish Lagoon, for toddlers and small children, the Guppy Grotto splash pad is a colorful, coral-reef themed children’s water play area, featuring a refreshing two-foot-deep wading pool, fun water toys, an exciting dump bucket and interactive features, as well as plenty of shaded seating for parents with a nearby ice cream shop;
• The Game Pavilion features a variety of table games such as foosball, ping pong and corn hole, along with comfortable seating areas for socializing and meeting new friends;
• The Sports Court includes volleyball, basketball and pickleball courts adjacent to the Game Pavilion.
• Floating AquaBanas are comfortable and sturdy floating cabanas that are fun for the whole family. Guests can relax with their feet in the water under the shady canopy as they sip on a refreshing beverage. Available for rental, AquaBanas come with seating space for eight, a solid table for drinks and other essentials, non-slip surfaces and steps for easy access into the lagoon. These 12 floating “private islands” are grouped around a peninsula with a dedicated bar, so that refreshments are just a few steps or swims away. A variety of more traditional cabanas and daybeds will also be available.
• For the adults, there’s a Swim Up Bar where any variety of colorful drinks, including the bar’s specialty frozen rum cocktails, will be served, all without leaving the water;
• Hanging out takes on new meaning with a number of hammocks, right next to the iconic Suncastle, that let guests kick back and relax as they swing over the water and take in the views of Starfish Lagoon.
• There’s a stretch of gorgeous beach and crystal blue water with kayak and paddleboard rentals and plenty of space for games of frisbee or sandcastle building, along with sun loungers, umbrellas and beachside cabanas.
• A variety of dining venues provide many options for guests including restaurants, snack and bar shacks, along with Bahamian food trucks.

“At Carnival, we carry more children than any other cruise line, so we’ve designed Starfish Lagoon specifically for family fun,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Toddlers, teens and adults alike will find their own piece of paradise whether it be racing down one of the waterslides, playing a round of pickleball or relaxing on our floating AquaBanas.”

Starfish Lagoon joins Paradise Plaza, the welcome area, Calypso Lagoon, the adult-friendly area and Lokono Cove, the shopping village, as four of the five portals. Carnival will share details soon on the adults-only private retreat. Celebration Key is scheduled to welcome its first guests in July 2025, and more than 500 itineraries currently open for sale feature visits to the new destination on 18 ships sailing from 10 U.S. homeports.

To book your next cruise, visit GalvestonCruises.com or call (409) 763-8678.