08/06/2025
Let’s start with Carnival‘s new private island: Celebration Key. I am already back on the ship, and it’s only 11:00 am; take from that what you will! Right now Celebration Key looks beautiful, but there’s a lot of disconnection between Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Celebration Key, unfortunately. They advertise that Celebration Key has areas that are 18+, and there are signs all over that label these adults-only spots, but the area is still overrun by children. I love children, and I have children, but if I come on a trip without my children, and I go to an area that is advertised to be 18+ and “adults only,” that’s truly what I expect as a traveler. Because of the chaos of so many kids around, I am already back on the ship. Security said they could not do anything about it because despite the advertising and signage the island itself is family-friendly. I always make it a priority to let my travel clients know before they go, so that is why I’m including my honest review on this unfortunate situation in such a beautiful place.
So after no resolution, I took the tram back to the ship, hoping to improve the day. The tram driver stopped for us to get off, and then decided to pull up further as I was getting off. He did not tell anyone and other passengers were also standing up to get off. I happen to be on the back of the tram and got a hold of the bar on the back of the tram, and that is the only reason that I did not fall on the concrete off of the tram.
The tram driver behind us watched it all happen and jumped off his tram and started yelling at the tram driver. I’m so grateful it wasn’t worse, and no one was seriously hurt, because this could’ve been a tragic situation.
This is my honest review, and this is why I travel to places before I sell travel to a client. I want my clients to be happy. I want them to know the truth, and right now Carnival is telling me that they are in a transition area trying to work out the bugs between the island and the cruise line itself. This may be worked out eventually, but if you’re traveling right now within the next month or two, this is the real expectation you should have, and the real-life truth of what has happened today.
On the island security told me that the only place on Celebration Key itself is a paid area, and it is called Pearl Cove. Now, I did go through there and review that it seems to look okay.
All in all, I cannot in good faith rave about this new island. I am passionate about providing the best experience for my clients, and this is not it.