Carnival’s newest private destination, Celebration Key, is under scrutiny after two cruise guests died in separate drowning incidents on August 15, 2025. The passengers, both U.S. citizens, were from different ships — Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Elation — which were docked at the port on the same day.
These back-to-back incidents mark a tragic moment for the recently opened Bahamian destination and have prompted investigations by both Carnival Cruise Line and Bahamian authorities.
What Happened at Celebration Key?
Carnival confirmed that two separate water emergencies occurred at Celebration Key on Friday.
- A 79-year-old man drowned while snorkeling near the beach in the early afternoon.
- A 74-year-old woman later died while swimming in one of the destination’s lagoon-style pools.
Emergency personnel and lifeguards responded quickly in both situations, but sadly, both guests were pronounced dead. Carnival released a public statement expressing condolences and confirmed their Care Team is assisting the families.
“One guest was sailing with family on Mardi Gras and one guest was sailing with family on Carnival Elation,” the cruise line stated.
These drownings occurred less than a month after Celebration Key officially opened to guests on July 19, 2025.
A Closer Look at Celebration Key
Celebration Key is Carnival Cruise Line’s new $600 million private destination on Grand Bahama Island. It features:
- A one-mile beach
- A 350-million-gallon freshwater lagoon
- Multiple dining, shopping, and shore excursion options
- Dedicated zones for families and adults
It is designed to host up to 2 ships and 9,000 passengers per day. So far, 18 Carnival ships are scheduled to call on Celebration Key in 2025, with that number increasing in 2026.
For more safety-related cruise planning tips, you can browse our Cruise Packing List guide.
Past Incidents and Broader Cruise Safety Context
While rare, drownings do occur on cruise vacations — often in open water or private resort areas where medical emergencies or overestimation of swimming ability play a role.
Recent similar incidents include:
- A 26-year-old guest who drowned in 2023 at MSC’s Ocean Cay in the Bahamas
- A drowning at Mystery Island, Vanuatu in 2023 involving a Carnival Splendor guest
- An elderly couple who drowned off Milos, Greece in August 2025
Celebration Key’s design includes lifeguards, clear signage, and calm swimming zones, but even in these settings, personal caution remains critical.
Cruise guests are strongly advised to:
- Assess their swimming abilities honestly
- Use flotation devices when snorkeling or swimming alone
- Stay close to lifeguarded areas
- Avoid water activities if experiencing medical conditions or fatigue
Investigation and Ongoing Support
As of now, the identities of the deceased guests have not been released. Carnival and local authorities are conducting independent investigations to determine whether pre-existing medical conditions or other factors contributed.
The ships involved, Mardi Gras and Elation, have continued on their respective itineraries:
- Carnival Elation departed Jacksonville on August 14 for a 4-night Bahamas cruise
- Mardi Gras left Port Canaveral on August 10 for a 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing
Carnival reiterated that their Care Team is supporting both families during this difficult time.
