With the grand opening of Celebration Key less than a month away, Carnival Cruise Line guests are excited to learn what they can expect when they visit the new Bahamas destination.
The cruise line has teased a wide range of details, from the centerpiece that is the 10-story Suncastle to the Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean.
Dining, Bahamian-centered artwork, and festive touches have all been revealed to eager guests.
What hasn’t been announced loudly, however, are the prices those guests will need to pay for the fun at Celebration Key.
It’s certainly no surprise that access to key areas of the private destination will require a separate fee. This is not uncommon, particularly for what are sure to be popular sections of the resort-like area.
For example, access to the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club will start at $99.99 per person, where guests will find plentiful loungers, a quieter pool, a full-service restaurant, and private beach access.
For a fee of $139.99 per person, guests can upgrade to an open bar along with all the Pearl Cove Beach Club amenities.
This is a reminder, of course, that Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! beverage package will not be accepted while at Celebration Key (it will still work onboard the docked cruise ship, just not on the island).
One of the more shocking fees for access to Celebration Key is the $14.99 per person fee to enjoy the two racing waterslides of the Suncastle, the Flash Flamingo and the Mach 3 Marlin.
These side-by-side body slides feature more than 350 feet of turns, twists, and drops as they pass through and around the Suncastle before splashing into the Starfish Lagoon. They will not, however, be free for guests to enjoy.
The $14.99 fee is an all-day, unlimited pass, and considering the high cost of some rentals on Celebration Key, it’s not a bad charge. It is, however, just for two waterslides.
This type of charge is not unprecedented, of course. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay charges much higher fees – starting at $50 per person and going to $150 and higher depending on date and capacity – for access to Thrill Waterpark.
That waterpark, however, does have 14 slides as well as the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, the obstacle-laden Adventure Pool, a complimentary Snack Shack (try the chicken sandwich or mozzarella sticks!), and plenty of loungers.
Perhaps the most outrageous charge at Celebration Key is $19.99 (not a typo) for – wait for it – a pool noodle rental. Yes, rental. You don’t even get to keep the foam noodle, the exact same type that you can find at any discount store for less than $5.
These prices have been noticed just days after Carnival Cruise Line announced record profits and unprecedented demand for sailings. The second quarter 2025 results have seen $8.5 billion in customer deposits, the highest in the company’s history, with revenue at a record $6.3 billion.
More Celebration Key Rental Costs
A wide range of other rental fees for Celebration Key features might also raise eyebrows – or they might not.
For example, the different cabanas and villas range from $599.99 to $2,799.99 per rental, with the ability to accommodate 4-10 guests. The exact cost depends on the location of the rental, with higher prices at the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club.
Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise
These rentals do come with some exclusive features, such as lockers, coolers, snacks, an open bar, private attendant, and more. Some also include the Suncastle Racing Slides, so at least guests don’t have to also pay the extra $15 fee.
For simpler but still exclusive space, guests can enjoy a luxury daybed for $149.99 for two guests, though it does not include extra amenities.
The cabana and villa rental prices are similar to equivalent options available at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the private island destination visited by Holland America Line ships: a sister cruise line to Carnival, and also under the Carnival Corporation & plc umbrella.
How much are you willing to pay to enjoy Celebration Key? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
