Carnival Cruise Line welcomes the first passengers to Celebration Key
Carnival president Christine Duffy called it a day more than 25 years in the making, and it began with pomp and circumstance to match. A Bahamian band paraded the pier from the Carnival Vista to the shore, and Carnival brand ambassador/chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal made an appearance.
"This truly is just the beginning," Duffy said during opening remarks. "We will have visits from 20 Carnival cruise ships from 10 different U.S. homeports calling here."
On the Record: Carnival president Christine Duffy
Following Duffy's welcome, a burst of fireworks and color exploded from the island's towering sandcastle structure, which then provided confirmation of functioning fire alarms. That was followed by the official ribbon-cutting.
O'Neal visited the destination's basketball court, shooting some of its first hoops and placing his hands in a mold, which will be cemented. When they visit, guests will be able to see how large their hands are compared to Shaq's.
Carnival anticipates 2 million guests in Celebration Key's first year and up to 4 million annually by 2028.
The 68-acre accessible portion of the property is segmented into five portals and includes a 350 million gallon freshwater pool, the 10-story sandcastle structure with two waterslides, beach access and a pay-to-access beach club section with a pool.
The project was a $600 million investment, and as Duffy brought up Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein during her remarks, she smirked, saying, "Josh, thank you for $600 million."
Weinstein immediately quipped, "And it's going to make us $6 billion."
A Bahamian band paraded the pier at Celebration Key's grand opening. Photo Credit: Teri West
Celebration Key can currently support two ships at a time. Cruise guests may opt for a complementary lunch from a food truck or for 25% off an entrée at one of the island's restaurants.
Cabanas and villas of varying sizes are available to rent throughout. Matilda Patterson and her family opted for a cabana set back from the water in the kid-friendly Starfish Lagoon section, which she said they rented for $399.
They were pleased with the fruit, chips and salsa and beverages included as well as the hospitality on the island.
"Everyone's been so friendly," Patterson said. "They seem so happy we're here."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bad Bunny Drops ‘Alambre Púa' After Debuting Track at Puerto Rico Residency
Bad Bunny is back with a surprise new single, 'Alambre Púa,' marking his first new music since the release of his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The track's official release comes after Bad Bunny debuted it live over the weekend, highlighting 'Alambre Púa' as the show-opener at his residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The propulsive, sweltering track also arrives with a visualizer that, for the most part, follows a woman's legs as she dances across a beach. More from Rolling Stone Bad Bunny Is Kicking Off a Historic Residency in Puerto Rico. Is the Island Ready? Bad Bunny Uses a Recording Mimicking Trump's Voice to Deliver a Pro-Immigrant Message in 'Nuevayol' Video Bad Bunny on Puerto Rico: 'It's Not Always Paradise, But ... I Don't Want to Leave' Eventually, the camera pulls out to reveal the dancer on an elaborate soundstage, with a flashing sign behind her emblazoned with the name of Bad Bunny's San Juan residency: 'No me quiero ir de aquí' ('I don't want to leave here'). The 30-show residency officially kicked off July 11, with concerts scheduled through Sept. 14. After wrapping the hometown run, Bad Bunny will kick off a world tour that runs through 2026, with concerts throughout Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Earlier this month, before releasing 'Alambre Púa,' Bad Bunny released a music video for his Debí Tirar Más Fotos track, 'Nuevayol.' The clip notably ends with a voice that sounds a lot like Donald Trump's delivering a staunchly pro-immigrant message at a moment when the Trump administration is leaning heavily into brutal crackdowns on migrants, including mass detentions and deportations. Bad Bunny released Debí Tirar Más Fotos in January, marking his first album since 2023's Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. Along with his residency and world tour, Bad Bunny also has a pair of movies coming out this year, including Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler and Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Saweetie, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week
Welcome to our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more. This week, Bad Bunny shares a song he debuted during his historic Puerto Rico residency, Travis Scott links back up with his industry friends for Jackboys 2, and Saweetie ushers in a new era with full-blown confidence. Bad Bunny, 'Alambre Pua' (YouTube) More from Rolling Stone Saweetie Has Announced Yet Another EP, Shares New Song 'Boffum' Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico Residency Instantly Sold Out - Here's Where to Find 2025 Tickets Online Travis Scott Hangs Out With His Amazing Friends on 'Jackboys 2' Travis Scott, 'Dumbo' (YouTube) Saweetie, 'Boffum' (YouTube) Reneé Rapp, 'Why Is She Still Here?' (YouTube) Zach Bryan feat. Gabriella Rose, 'Madeline' (YouTube) David Byrne, 'She Explains Things to Me' (YouTube) Sublime, 'Ensenada' (YouTube) Blood Orange, Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Mustafa, 'Mind Loaded' (YouTube) Alex G, 'Oranges' (YouTube) FKA Twigs, 'Perfectly,' (YouTube) Fletcher, 'Hi Everyone Leave Please' (YouTube) Danna, 'Khé Calor' (YouTube) Bad Gyal, Ozuna, 'Última Noche' (YouTube) Eliza McLamb, 'Like the Boys' (YouTube) Water from Your Eyes, 'Playing Classics' (YouTube) Malcolm Todd, 'Original' (YouTube) Jessie Reyez, 'Nights We'll Never Have' (YouTube) Jessie Murph, '1965' (YouTube) Anycia feat. Tink, 'So Fine' (YouTube) Mr Eazi, 'Corny' (YouTube) Adekunle Gold, 'Coco Money' (YouTube) Jeff Tweedy, 'Out in the Dark' (YouTube) Laura Jane Grace, 'New Years Day' (YouTube) The Last Dinner Party, 'This Is the Killer Speaking' (YouTube) Dylan Gossett, 'Hangin' On' (YouTube) Scarlet Rae, 'The Reason I Could Sleep Forever' (YouTube) Yola, 'Amazing' (YouTube) Ruel, 'I Can Die Now' (YouTube) Niko Rubio, 'No Lo Volvere a Hacer' (YouTube) Penelope Road, 'So It Goes' (YouTube) Sam Pounds, 'Arizona Rain' (YouTube) Andria Rose, Alan Vega, 'Slow Burn' (YouTube) Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
Stay In The Magic: A Review Of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Guests visiting Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, ... More Fla. 'There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it. So the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it. Like maybe…' GOING TO DISNEY! See what I did there? PHINEAS AND FERB - "Last Day of Summer" Although our favorite sibling duo, Phineas and Ferb, didn't spend their summer days in Orlando, they still had a lot of fun and exciting adventures during their annual break–and you can, too! Between solo adventures, trips with my fun-loving nieces and nephews to theme parks, work trips, and catching spontaneous Delta flight deals, I've already had the joy of visiting Disney about seven or eight times this year. Since each park and resort offers something unique—whether it's seasonal activities, special menus, or entertaining performances—each visit feels fresh and exciting, making every experience special. Ronny's family at Disney. Whether you're looking to keep it budget-friendly or go all out with an 'over-the-top' adventure, it's really all about what best fits your style and desires. With a passion for storytelling and carefully thought-out details, one essential thing for families to know is that you can experience almost all that Disney has to offer without setting foot into a park when you 'stay in the Magic.' Here's what our recent stay was like. Overview of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Caribbean Beach Resort is a moderate-level hotel with a tropical theme, which I truly loved as an 'island gal' at heart. We had the pleasure of staying here during our recent visits in May and June. The vibrant, colorful buildings captured the lively and diverse spirit of the Caribbean. Each building's name—such as Barbados, Trinidad, Martinique, and Aruba—enhanced the delightful feeling of traveling through different Caribbean countries right from the hotel. With that in mind, it is a rather massive property, and depending on which 'country' you're in, you can be pretty far from the Skyliner or the main entry (Old Port Royale). Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Room Each of our visits was in Aruba. It was a fairly standard room, featuring double beds, a flat-screen TV, a round table and chairs for dining in the room, a mini-fridge, and ample storage space. The bathroom was separated from the room by a sliding double door. While all the rooms have been renovated, some feature a 'Little Mermaid' theme, adding a unique and exciting element to your stay. From my understanding, these rooms can not be requested, but you can get lucky if you're staying in Trinidad. Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort In our building, we were located near a pool and within a 90-second walk to the Skyliner. This hotel is one of four along the Disney Skyliner route, making it really convenient! We enjoyed a quick 15-minute ride to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. On days when we headed to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, the bus ride was about 20 minutes, making travel extremely easy and hassle-free. I would like to mention that, although there are accessible rooms, there are no elevators available. If you travel with heavy luggage, groceries, or kids, climbing a few flights of stairs might be challenging for you. How To Spend Your Day At Caribbean Beach Like many of the other resorts, you can find a lot of things to do on-site to occupy your day. The property boasts six pools, each with its own unique charm. The main pool, conveniently located near the lobby and Banana Cabana, is a hub of activity. It's not just a pool-it's a pirate-themed adventure zone with a splash pad for the little ones, a hot tub for the adults, two thrilling water slides, and a zero-entry area for easy access. The other five pools offer a more serene atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing evening swim, with one just steps away from the rooms. Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Pool Caribbean Beach's dynamic activities team, stationed both in the lobby and poolside, ensures there's never a dull moment. From engaging scavenger hunts to creative crafts, brain-teasing trivia, and exciting games, there's something for every family member to enjoy. If you want a little rest, grab a book and head to one of the waterfront hammocks to lounge about for a bit. Or, take the kids over to Caribbean Cay for some playtime at the playground. There are plenty of shaded seats to hide from that blaring Orlando sun. In the evenings, join other families for a movie night under the stars or roasting marshmallows at the nightly campfire. For those who want to be a little more active, fishing excursions are available, and there's a jogging trail for the fitness gurus. Where To Eat On Property This is always my favorite part of any hotel review: the food options. There's nothing worse than arriving at a hotel after a long travel day and finding limited or no tasty dining options on property. With Caribbean Beach being a moderate-level resort, they have more options than what you'd find at one of the value resorts. You can have poolside dining from Banana Cabana or Spyglass Grill. Or, spring for table service at Sebastian's Bistro. Centertown Market is another option providing quick-service meals. Sebastian's Bistro At Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Sebastian's offers more than just a meal-it's a family-style dining experience that's incredibly delightful. Drawing inspiration from both Caribbean and Latin cultures, it's the perfect complement to a stay at a Caribbean-themed hotel. We indulged in some of their signature dishes, including mojo pork, fried coconut shrimp, cilantro rice, and plantains, all served in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The drink menu is quite solid, offering a wide variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. If you want a drink that will make you feel like you're on an island sitting under a coconut tree at first sip, go for the Pineapple Mule or Tallawah Punch. They're only open for dinner, and reservations are highly recommended. Breakfast At Centertown Market Centertown Market became our go-to spot, primarily for its convenience before visiting the parks. But if you're looking to skip the parks and enjoy a more substantial meal before relaxing by the pools or in your room, it's still the perfect choice. And the best part? You can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch here. The Caribbean and Latin flair was also evident in the dishes here, with options such as fish tacos and ribs. But also more laid-back options, such as sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers. Of course, those beloved Mickey Waffles are available for breakfast! Banana Cabana At Caribbean Beach Resort We love bar food because it often features those go-to comfort foods, such as wings, chips and dip, or loaded fries. All of which are on Banana Cabana's menu. The jerk chicken sandwich and seafood fritters are also excellent choices for a mid-swim meal. Spyglass Grill At Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Nestled by the Trinidad pool area, this little gem is a must-visit for food and coffee enthusiasts. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a quick-service dining option, we serve up high-quality meals and drinks that will leave you satisfied. We recommend trying the Breakfast Cuban, served alongside potatoes, which offers a decent portion size that will leave you feeling full. And don't miss out on our specialty coffee drinks, such as lattes, and the Joffrey's Coffee Cold Brew Shakin' Jamaican. It's a mouthful to say, but a great drink to start the day! The patio area overlooks Barefoot Bay, offering gorgeous views. The Perks And Magic You Can Experience At Any Disney Resort Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Many families consider staying off-site to save money during their Disney trips, including my family. And, while there are numerous cool hotels in the area (such as Caribe Royale Orlando, The Grove, and Villatel Orlando), visitors will miss out on some incredible perks. Aside from all the ways you can spend your day(s) frolicking about the hotel, let's unpack some of the fantastic things happening at Disney resorts when you opt to 'stay in the magic.' Appearance From Minnie & Mickey Dining At Contemporary Resort The best part about visiting Disney is the opportunity to meet the characters–something you can do without visiting the parks! There are various events at different resorts, including character breakfasts and dining experiences. But, if you're lucky, your resort will have some special friends drop by! From classic Disney princesses to the latest Pixar heroes, you never know who you may see. Your resort will have a sign posted in the lobby with the details, making it easy to plan your day around the appearances. As you've read, there's always something for families to enjoy. My older kids can spend the entire day in the park without a second thought. However, the younger ones tire easily. They get cranky, and the last thing we want is a long wait and bus ride back to the rooms. That's why I appreciate the variety of activities available around the clock. We can participate, head back to the room for naps, and jump back into some fun when they're ready. Sometimes, when a meltdown is looming, it's a relief to avoid those long waits and bus rides, I can tell you that. Movies Under The Stars Event When we stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort, we enjoyed themed movie nights and had fun at the craft stations designed for kids. At Art of Animation, we even tried drawing our own animations! Each resort has activities themed to its property. For example, at Coronado Springs, guests delight in music, crafts, and trivia inspired by Mexican and Spanish cultures. Disney Skyliner These resorts also offer free and direct transportation to the parks by bus, monorail, or Skyliner, eliminating the need to worry about traffic or long walks from the parking lot. Plus, after a full day of exploring all the parks, I don't really feel like driving. How about you? As mentioned earlier, the Caribbean is a large property. Guests have the option of being picked up and dropped off at Old Port Royale (the main entrance) or designated bus stops located outside each building. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park The best part about this summer is that if you're staying at a Disney resort, you get free entry into one of the water parks on check-in day! For Typhoon Lagoon, that's a fantastic saving of $68-$75 for each person in your group. You can grab a cabana rental, but you'll likely spend a lot of your time in the lazy river and the wave pool! Plus, It's A Cool Kid Summer! Cool Kid Summer With Disney's newest event, 'Cool Kid Summer,' designed especially for families with children, the fun is just beginning. This fantastic event began at the end of May and will continue until September 1, 2025. Expect lots of surprises, chances to see new characters, lively DJ dance parties, and plenty of ways to save. Each park is offering something new and exciting, so be sure to check out the line-up linked above. If you couldn't tell from our earlier mention, we're repeat fans of both Disney and Caribbean Beach Resort! It has a lot to offer, with a wide range of delicious food and fantastic value for families. We're already looking forward to three more trips this summer!
