Carnival reveals how to get 1 free meal at its newest private beach destination
Carnival Cruise Line fans, get ready to eat! Carnival just released the extensive lineup of dining outlets that it will offer on Celebration Key, the line's new private beach area on Grand Bahama Island, set to open in July 2025. Even better, it's offering guests a way to get one meal at a discount or even for free.
Carnival plans to offer about 30 food and beverage outlets within Celebration Key. Dining options will include four full-service restaurants, snack shacks, counter-service kiosks, food trucks and a food hall.
Celebration Key is not like Carnival's Half Moon Cay, the private island it shares with Holland America. That destination features a free open-air barbecue buffet serving hot dogs, burgers, jerk chicken, grilled vegetables, rice dishes, salads and desserts. The eateries on Celebration Key are more akin to dining establishments you find in any port, where you have to pay for your food.
However, the line has found a way to make lunch a little easier on your wallet. As part of Carnival's new "Island Eats" program, cruisers will be able to enjoy one free meal when using their Sail and Sign card to purchase food. However, the offer is only good at Celebration Key's quick casual outlets, snack shacks and food trucks.
If you'd prefer to eat at one of the island's full-service restaurants, you'll get a 25% discount on one entree per person. (The discount is not available at the Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant.)
It's not the all-you-can-eat model of Half Moon Cay, but at least guests will have a way to eat cheaply if they'd like.
Restaurant lineup
Full-service restaurants planned for Celebration Key
Mingo's Tropical Bar & Kitchen: This waterfront restaurant will serve up Bahamian favorites like fried fish and conch fritters, as well as classic burgers, seafood, sandwiches, tacos and steak.
Surf N' Sauce BBQ & Brews: This spot offers outdoor-smoked meats and a full-service bar that features craft beer from local Bahamian breweries.
Gill's Grill: This family-friendly restaurant specializes in Caribbean seafood, including seafood baskets, local fish, lobster, steamed crab and shrimp. It also serves popular land-based dishes such as chicken, burgers and kids' meals.
Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant: Carnival guests who pay extra for access to the 18-plus Pearl Cove Beach Club can enjoy an upscale menu at the area's sit-down restaurant. They will need to buy an all-inclusive beach club pass to enjoy a complimentary meal here; passengers whose passes include only a welcome drink or open bar will need to pay to dine.
Fast-casual venues included in the Island Eats program
Captain's Galley Food Hall: This food hall offers five outlets serving burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, pizza, Mediterranean bowls, tacos and burritos.
Mingo's Express: This stand-alone food truck will offer a casual, to-go version of Mingo's Bahamian and burger favorites.
Food trucks and snack shacks: A handful of food trucks will offer beachside classics, like sandwiches and burgers, as well as Bahamian snacks, like conch fritters. Self-ordering kiosks will speed up wait times for food. Celebration Key will also offer a smattering of snack shacks for drinks and grab-and-go items, like sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs and salads.
A handful of bars (including a 100-seat swim-up bar), food carts, a coffee shop and an ice cream shop round out Celebration Key's drink and dining offerings. You'll need to pay for drinks and snacks at these establishments.
Related: Carnival cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board
More details about Celebration Key
Set to open in July 2025, Celebration Key will be divided into five areas, known as portals. Areas include Paradise Plaza (the welcome area), the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon, the adult-friendly Calypso Lagoon, the adults-only and exclusive-access Pearl Cove Beach Club, and the island's shopping area called Lokono Cove.
Celebration Key will eventually feature a water park and zip lines, following a second wave of development.
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