National

Carnival’s Celebration Key Poised To Transform Grand Bahama

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – With some 379 acres, Carnival’s Celebration Key is projected to welcome nearly 4 million guests annually by 2028. It’s a move many residents are looking forward to, with the port slated to open on July 19.

Published

12 months ago

February 26, 2025

Italia Hall

Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs Marie McKenzie explained that substantial investment has already been committed to the project.

Marie McKenzie – Senior VP, Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corp.
“We started with one pier that will take two ships and realized that pier is booked 365 days of the year, every day that pier is booked. So we decided this is not enough, so now we’re building a second pier.”

The interview also addressed concerns from the Grand Bahama business community.

A recent viral video claimed that local vendors were being sidelined, but McKenzie revealed that the individual raising the issue never submitted a proposal and missed the vendor deadline.

Marie McKenzie – Senior VP, Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corp.
“Regrettably, even though I have been asked to reinterpret the proposal from this young lady, if I were to consider her, I would also have to consider others who may have missed the deadline, because, again, we’re trying to be consistently fair to presenting an opportunity to all. We do have a straw market vendor with that proposal, which is what she missed. We are now already in evaluation of those proposals that were already presented.”

On the job creation front, Carnival’s project is expected to generate 700 jobs for Grand Bahamians.

Marie McKenzie – Senior VP, Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corp.
“We have 40 people so far, just over 40 people hired, or almost 50, because we’re hiring every day that have been hired in our office in Grand Bahama, and over 65% of those are from Grand Bahama. And so far we brought 10 people home.”

As for opportunities for vendors…

Marie McKenzie – Senior VP, Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corp.
“We had over 300 applications so far for many of the retail and food and beverage opportunities that are there, over 75% of those will be Bahamian.”

Addressing skepticism over past projects on the island, McKenzie assured that Carnival is deeply committed to the island’s future.

Marie McKenzie – Senior VP, Government and Destination Affairs, Carnival Corp.
“Carnival has made a total investment, or is making a total investment of over a billion dollars in Grand Bahama. We are not leaving Grand Bahama. This project is absolutely happening, it is happening, and everyone in Grand Bahama needs to be prepared.”