Carnival Celebration Key Food & Drinks Menu – Complete Guide

Carnival Celebration Key is Carnival’s very own private island in the Bahamas, built just for cruise guests to enjoy a day off the ship. If you’re planning to stop here, you probably want to know exactly what food and drinks are available, what’s included in your cruise fare, and which items cost extra.  

This guide gives you all the details about Celebration Key food, from casual snacks and beachside treats to full-service meals and refreshing drinks. Understanding how dining works on the island will help you avoid surprises and enjoy your day to the fullest. 

What is Island Eats at Celebration Key & How it Works?

Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a special dining benefit called Island Eats for guests visiting Celebration Key. Instead of unlimited snacks all day, each guest receives one dining credit per visit. This credit can be used in two ways:

• One free meal (entrée, side, & cookie) at a quick casual spot highlighted as Island Eats 
• 25% off one entrée at a full-service restaurant (not valid at Pearl Cove restaurant)

Important to know: Stateroom members share Island Eats credits. Use only one credit per order to avoid taking a cabinmate’s lunch. Once you’ve used your Island Eats credit, it’s finished for the day. If you want more food, you’ll need to buy it or head back to the ship.

Food and drink spots are spread across Celebration Key, ranging from food trucks and beachside stalls to full-service restaurants. Drinks are not included and must be purchased separately, while kids 12 and under can eat free from the kids’ menu at all full-service restaurants. 

Most fast-casual and quick-service venues are open from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., while full-service restaurants such as Gill’s Grill, Mingo’s, Pearl Cove Beach Club, and Surf N’ Sauce usually operate from 10:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Hours may vary based on your ship’s schedule, so it’s worth checking the Carnival Fun Times once onboard.

Here is the Carnival Celebration Key map so you can easily spot where all the food and drink options are located:

Celebration Key Casual Dining Menus

Following are the Celebration Key menus for Casual Spots:

Captain’s Galley Food Hall

Captain’s Galley in Starfish Lagoon has five stations serving burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, pizza, Mediterranean bowls, tacos, and burritos. Burgers & More and Pizza are included in Island Eats, while the Taco and Mediterranean Bowl stations are extra.

Starfish Food Trucks

Found at Starfish Lagoon, these Island Eats food trucks serve burgers, chicken sandwiches, Bahamian sushi, and mini donuts.

Calypso Food Trucks

These Island Eats food trucks in Calypso Lagoon serve burgers, chicken sandwiches, conch fritters, and chicken wings.

Beachside Burgers and More

Situated in Calypso Lagoon, this casual grab-and-go stand offers burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and salads.

Snack Shacks

Snack Shacks are located in both Starfish Lagoon and Calypso Lagoon, serving quick bites like chicken Caesar wraps, turkey club wraps, veggie hummus wraps, and fresh salads. They also offer drinks, making them a convenient stop wherever you’re relaxing.

Celebration Key Full-Service Restaurants

Following are the Celebration Key food menus with details for Full Service Restaurants:

Gill’s Grill  

Gill’s Grill, found at Starfish Lagoon, is part of the Island Eats program and is perfect for families. The menu highlights Caribbean-inspired seafood including lobster, shrimp, and fish baskets, alongside popular burgers and chicken dishes. Guests using Island Eats credits receive 25% off one main dish, while children 12 and under can enjoy meals from the kids’ menu at no cost. The restaurant also offers a signature bar menu.

The Celebration Key kids’ menu is given below for the full-service restaurants including Gill’s Grill, Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen, and Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews.

Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen

Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen, located in Calypso Lagoon, is a lively Island Eats venue bringing a true taste of the islands. Named after the Bahamas’ national bird, it serves a variety of favorites including tacos, steak, sandwiches, fried fish, conch fritters, chicken wings, and fresh seafood. Guests can also enjoy tropical cocktails and frozen drinks alongside their meals. Children 12 and under eat free from the kids’ menu, and those using Island Eats credits get 25% off one entree.

Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews

Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews in Calypso Lagoon offers tender smoked meats served with a variety of flavorful sauces and sides, paired with craft beers from local Bahamian breweries. Island Eats credits give 25% off one entrée and kids under 12 eat free from the kids’ menu.

Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant & Bar

Pearl Cove Beach Club is Celebration Key’s upscale adult-only dining venue, exclusively accessible with a beach club pass. The all-inclusive pass which is $180+ per person includes a restaurant lunch and up to 10 drinks, while the open bar pass covers drinks only. Basic entry guests pay full menu prices.

Cruisers receive a wristband upon arrival that identifies their package benefits, which are valid only within Pearl Cove and do not extend to the rest of the island. Island Eats credits are not accepted here, but you can step outside Pearl Cove to use them elsewhere.

Here are Pearl Cove Beach Club Paid Menus for food and drinks:

Here are Pearl Cove Beach Club All-Inclusive Menus for food and drinks:

Specialty Coffees & Sweet Treats

Island Eats credit does not cover these Carnival Celebration key food spots.

Yumshine Scoops

A sweet stop in Paradise Plaza serving a variety of delicious ice cream flavors.

Suncastle Grounds Coffee

Located in Lokono Cove, this café offers hot, iced, and frozen coffee drinks along with tasty snacks.

Celebration Key Cabana Menus

Guests who book a cabana at Starfish Lagoon or Calypso Lagoon get access to an exclusive cabana dining menu. This special menu includes premium options like burritos, burgers, fresh-grilled fish tacos, crispy chicken wings, and garden-fresh salads.

It’s important to note that these dishes are not included in the Island Eats credit. Every item is served directly to your cabana, letting you enjoy a private, relaxed meal without leaving your spot.

Celebration Key Bars

Following are the Celebration Key Bars:

Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar 

Located in Starfish Lagoon, this in-water bar is perfect for cooling off while sipping frozen cocktails or tropical mocktails. 

Shoalmates Island Bar

Found near the Aquabanas in Starfish Lagoon, Shoalmates Island Bar serves as a convenient poolside stop for both classic and tropical drinks.

Lagoon Bar East

Also in Starfish Lagoon, Lagoon Bar East offers a casual poolside setting with a variety of cocktails, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Long Necks Swim-Up Bar

Located in Calypso Lagoon, Long Necks is the biggest swim-up bar at Celebration Key, offering more than 160 in-water seats. It’s the go-to spot for frozen drinks, refreshing Bahamian cocktails, and a variety of beers.

Sunshine Swings Bar

In Calypso Lagoon, this bar offers nearly 50 swing seats over land and water, where guests can enjoy chilled tropical cocktails with a breezy island vibe.

Lagoon Bar West

Located in Calypso Lagoon, this relaxed spot serves cocktails, beer, and other cold drinks in an adults-only setting.

Celebration Key Drink Policies

Carnival’s drink packages, including CHEERS! and Bottomless Bubbles, are not valid at Celebration Key. This policy is the same for the cruise line’s other private destinations such as Half Moon Cay.

Alcoholic drinks from the ship are strictly not allowed at Celebration Key. While the official rule states that guests cannot bring drinks from the ship, in practice, carrying a small non-alcoholic beverage like bottled water or sports drinks usually goes unnoticed.

Any drinks you order must be paid for separately at the regular menu price, so it’s important to know the Celebration Key drink prices before you go.

The only beverage available for free is plain water, which you can find at self-serve stations near the restrooms and dining areas.

All other drinks including soda, juice, bottled water, coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails, are sold for an additional cost. Payments are cashless and can be made using your Sail & Sign card or a debit or credit card. An 18% service charge and Bahamian VAT are added to each order.

Carnival’s Celebration Key Reviews

The food at Carnival’s Celebration Key offers a mix of quick bites and full-service dining. My personal favourite was the juicy chicken sandwich from Calypso Food truck, but there are also burgers, wraps, and fresh salads for a lighter option. 

For a sit-down meal, I enjoyed Mingo’s Tropical Bar and Kitchen with its flavorful jerk chicken and coconut shrimp. Seafood fans might like Gill’s Grill, while Surf N Sauce BBQ serves tender, smoky meats that fill the air with a mouthwatering aroma.

Not all feedback is positive. Some cruisers mention high prices for extras, long lines at free food spots, and mixed quality during peak hours.

Beyond the food, Celebration Key is loved for its wide sandy beaches, large swimming pools, and clear lagoons. The bright, clean setting and the iconic Suncastle make it a popular photo stop. Reviews from Facebook, Reddit, and Cruise Critic often praise the lively lagoon areas, with families enjoying Starfish Lagoon and adults relaxing at Calypso Lagoon.

Overall, Celebration Key can be a great day ashore if you plan your time well and take advantage of the included meal options.

FAQ – Celebration Key Food and Drinks Menus