Anticipation is building as Carnival Cruise Line prepares to open its newest private destination, Celebration Key.

On Saturday, the company hosted government officials, community leaders and local residents of Grand Bahama for a special preview of the destination ahead of its debut on July 19.?

Also on Saturday, Carnival Vista set sail from Port Canaveral on the cruise that will bring the first travelers to Celebration Key. Travelers who couldn¡¯t make it in person can watch the opening ceremony on Carnival Cruise Line¡¯s Facebook page starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on July 19. ?

Once it opens, Celebration Key is slated to welcome 20 Carnival ships from 10 U.S. homeports, bringing approximately two million guests to Grand Bahama in its first year of operation.

¡°Celebration Key is a beautiful destination that I know will be extremely popular with our guests, but it¡¯s also a beautiful representation of the great partnership between Carnival and the people of Grand Bahama,¡± says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. ¡°This is the first major project to be completed on the island of Grand Bahama in 20 years or more, and we¡¯re proud to be the cruise line to bring it to fruition.¡±

During the preview, guests experienced some of the destination's major features, including the centerpiece Suncastle and racing waterslides, as well as its massive freshwater lagoons. They also toured the destination¡¯s five portals, including the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club and the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon.?

"We wouldn¡¯t be here today, now just a week from our first official visit with Carnival Vista, without the dedication of hundreds of Bahamians who helped to build Celebration Key,¡± says Duffy. ¡°We¡¯re proud as well of the hundreds of long-term jobs created by the destination¡¯s daily operations¡ªproviding substantial economic benefits to the island while also celebrating Bahamian culture.¡±

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