Carnival Corporation has signed the first set of contracts with 26 Bahamian companies that will be operating retail and food and beverage outlets at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama.
Set to open this July, the $600 million world-class Celebration Key cruise destination will initially bring more than two million guests a year to the island and up to four million by 2028.
In a statement released last week, Carnival says that Bahamians are poised to benefit from a wide variety of economic opportunities, with the majority of businesses being fully Bahamian owned. So far, 26 Bahamian companies have signed contracts to operate at Celebration Key, 18 of which are owned by Grand Bahamians.
Bertrand Piller, Director of Destination Third Party Partnerships and Business Development for Carnival Corporation, commenting on the selection process, noted:
“We’re so thrilled to bring so many talented Bahamian business owners together who will enhance the guest experience at Celebration Key.
“It was a thorough and rewarding exercise, getting to meet so many talented Bahamians showing an interest in partnering with us.
“We wish we could have accommodated more of the proposals submitted, but there are only so many spots,” Piller added.
The contract signing stage followed a rigorous selection process which included a Request for Proposals (RFP) listed on the Celebration Key website, social media and other platforms, in order to allow as many Bahamians as possible to apply, pose questions about the application process and receive timely responses.
After the deadline for applications closed, the Carnival Corporation team reviewed and evaluated all proposals based on full completion of the RFP, on-time submission and merit in accordance with the parameters set out in the RFP. Following this evaluation, the team conducted in-person or digital interviews with the shortlisted candidates to select successful vendor partners and negotiate contract terms.
Among the first wave of signees are entrepreneurs from restaurants such as Mini Donut King; Fowl Play Wing Co.; Pineapple House; Bahama Mama Seafood Pit and Flippin Fritters.
Retail outlets include Bahari; Surfing Turtle; Caribbean Lighthouse; Sand Dollar Freeport/Bahamia; Baha Gala; Island Treasures by Sharkeez Freeport; Bahamian Bliss; Del Sol and Cariloha.
In addition to the local vendors, Carnival says that there are numerous potential employment opportunities for Bahamians in tours and shore excursions, transportation, subcontracting services and more.
Overall, the port is expected to generate over approximately 700 permanent local jobs, including approximately 400 Bahamians hired directly by Carnival Corporation.
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Celebration Key is Carnival’s first-ever exclusive destination to be purpose-built for Carnival Cruise Line guests. Located on the south side of the larger island of Grand Bahama, it will offer unique and authentic experiences for all Carnival guests within the destination.
The adjacent cruise pier will be able to accommodate up to two of Carnival’s Excel-class ships simultaneously and capable to welcoming 2 million guests each year. The project was recently increased to allow two additional vessels for a total of four ships that will allow guests to walk off and arrive at Celebration Key.
Celebration Key will offer the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, a breathtaking mile-long beach, and five unique portals (Paradise Plaza, Calypso Lagoon, Lokono Cove, Starfish Lagoon and Pearl Cove Beach Club) crafted to provide a variety of experiences for guests.
These experiences range from family or adult fun, relaxing or adventurous fun, private or social fun, pool or ocean fun, shopping or eating & drinking fun, all with a local Bahamian flavor.
Carnival says that Celebration Key is uniquely positioned to bring an island experience to its diverse range of guests.
Celebration Key opens in summer 2025.
