My Carnival Conquest Experience to Celebration Key
I recently sailed on the Carnival Conquest with a stop at the brand-new Celebration Key. I wanted to share my honest experience — from the cabin and food to the adults-only pool, the island itself, and everything in between.
The Itinerary
We set sail on a Friday and spent Saturday at sea. A lot of people wonder why the ship doesn’t just go straight to port. The main reason? Casino operations. The casino is only open while the ship is in international waters, so that “day at sea” gives Carnival a chance to generate revenue before docking in the Bahamas.
The Cabin
First impressions: my cabin felt small compared to other ships I’ve been on. The bathroom setup wasn’t great either — I really disliked the shower curtain because it kept sticking to me, making the space feel cramped.
I booked a balcony cabin, which was nice for fresh air and views. But I’m almost certain that’s where I picked up all the bug bites. After sitting out there, I ended up with at least 20 bites — on my head, shoulders, back, and even my foot. I can’t say with 100% certainty it was the balcony, but that’s my best guess since I’ve never gotten bitten up that badly on any cruise before.
The Food
Food on Conquest was… just okay. Nothing terrible, but nothing outstanding either. Comparing it to Virgin Voyages, Carnival’s dining fell short. For example, the steak I had at The Point Steakhouse on Conquest didn’t hold a candle to the steak at Pink Agave on Virgin Voyages.
One thing Carnival does well is quantity. On the Lido Deck, you can ask for as much food as you want. If you’re hungry, don’t be shy about requesting seconds (or thirds).
The Adults-Only Pool Area (Aft Pool)
I was looking forward to the aft adults-only pool and hot tubs, but the reality didn’t quite match expectations.
Age Rule Confusion: The aft pool is intended to be adults-only, but Carnival doesn’t set a clear official age limit there. Signs say “Adults Only,” but enforcement is inconsistent. Kids were running back and forth, dipping into hot tubs, and hanging around while parents looked on. It definitely broke the atmosphere for me. If you want a guaranteed 21+ escape, only the Serenity Retreat is truly enforced.
Depth Signage Issue: The sign at the aft pool says “3 ft. 8 in. maximum depth.” But when you step in, the water comes up much higher — closer to 5 feet. Everyone who got in that pool had the same reaction: “This isn’t 3 feet… this isn’t 4 feet!” That sign definitely doesn’t reflect reality, and it confused a lot of guests.
What should have been a calm, child-free zone ended up feeling more like an overflow area from the family pools.
Celebration Key
This was my first time at Celebration Key, and I’d call it good, but not great.
Welcome Party: Stepping off the ship, Carnival went all out with a big welcome celebration. Performers were dressed in vibrant costumes — think Mardi Gras-style suits, feathered headpieces, and masks. The music and energy made it feel like a true festival as everyone was greeted onto the island.
Five Key Portals: Celebration Key is divided into five themed “portals,” and I made a point to check out every one. From what I saw, guests were spread out across the island and really enjoying themselves.
Starfish Beach: On the far side, at Starfish Beach, there was a huge hill with beach chairs lined up pointing downward. Honestly, it didn’t make sense. If anyone tried to sit there, they’d likely slide right out of their chair. To me, that setup really showed a lack of practical planning in the island’s design.
Water: The water was beautiful, but there were lots of rocks in some spots. Over at Calypso Lagoon, the uneven ground and ditches made it feel like someone could easily twist an ankle. At Starfish Beach, you had to walk out about 500 feet just to reach deeper water — not the easiest for people who prefer swimming right from shore.
Crowds: Many people stopped right at the entrance instead of exploring further, so the front areas got packed while other parts of the island were calmer.
Seating: Groups who came off the ship later in the day had a hard time finding chairs together.
Food: I didn’t stop to eat on the island, but I was told you only get one complimentary meal, and anything beyond that you’d have to pay for. My thought process was simple: instead of limiting myself to one meal on Celebration Key, I’d just head back to the ship where I could eat as much as I wanted without worrying about extra charges.
Weather: The sun was intense. For me, this just reinforced why I prefer traveling in January or February rather than in the peak summer heat.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the trip was okay, but not my favorite cruise. Carnival Conquest gave me a chance to see Celebration Key, but I wasn’t blown away. The casino-at-sea setup, cramped cabin, balcony bug bites, adults-only pool confusion, misleading pool signage, shallow beaches, and food limitations all left me underwhelmed.
If you’re someone who values better food, more spacious cabins, and true adults-only spaces, I’d say Virgin Voyages or other lines might give you a better bang for your buck.
But if you want a classic Carnival vibe with plenty of sun, unlimited food on the Lido, and a chance to check out the new private island, this cruise might still be worth it.
