Carnival Cruise Line and the Government of The Bahamas celebrated the country’s 50th anniversary of independence with a Junkanoo experience aboard Mardi Gras. Junkanoo is the national cultural festival of The Bahamas, and the celebration featured an overview of its history, as well as special live performances from a local Bahamian Junkanoo troupe and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.

Approximately 150 government, community, and business leaders from The Bahamas joined Carnival officials for the event and luncheon. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said that the company is honored to celebrate The Bahamas’ 50 years of independence, resilience, strength, and progress. She also expressed her hope for a bright future for the two partners, as they work together to bring millions more visitors to experience all that The Bahamas has to offer.

The day’s festivities took place as work continues on Celebration Key, an exclusive cruise port destination on Grand Bahama. It will be the first port destination exclusively designed for Carnival Cruise Line guests, and will offer them a uniquely Bahamian experience with an abundance of features and amenities, including a one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, as well as Bahamian-operated retail, food, and beverage options.

Later this month, Carnival will announce additional Celebration Key details, along with opening for sale the first itineraries on at least ten ships from multiple homeports that will include a visit to Celebration Key. The first cruises calling on the destination will begin in July 2025.

• Carnival Cruise Line and the Government of The Bahamas celebrated the country’s 50th anniversary of independence with a Junkanoo experience aboard Mardi Gras.
• Junkanoo is the national cultural festival of The Bahamas.
• The celebration featured an overview of Junkanoo’s history, as well as special live performances from a local Bahamian Junkanoo troupe and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.
• Approximately 150 government, community, and business leaders from The Bahamas joined Carnival officials for the event and luncheon.
• Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said that the company is honored to celebrate The Bahamas’ 50 years of independence, resilience, strength, and progress.
• She also expressed her hope for a bright future for the two partners, as they work together to bring millions more visitors to experience all that The Bahamas has to offer.
• The day’s festivities took place as work continues on Celebration Key, an exclusive cruise port destination on Grand Bahama.
• Celebration Key will be the first port destination exclusively designed for Carnival Cruise Line guests.
• It will offer guests a uniquely Bahamian experience with an abundance of features and amenities, including a one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, as well as Bahamian-operated retail, food, and beverage options.
• Later this month, Carnival will announce additional Celebration Key details, along with opening for sale the first itineraries on at least ten ships from multiple homeports that will include a visit to Celebration Key.
• The first cruises calling on the destination will begin in July 2025.