Two American Tourists Die in Separate Drowning Incidents at Carnival’s New Bahamas Resort

Carnival Cruise Elation traveled from Jacksonville, Florida, to Celebration Key before the fatal drownings

Two American cruise passengers died in separate drowning incidents at Carnival’s private Bahamas resort on Grand Bahama Island on Friday, only weeks after the $600 million Celebration Key destination opened to guests.

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that both incidents occurred at the exclusive resort, one in the lagoon and another at the beach. Lifeguards and medical personnel at the facility responded immediately, according to a company spokesperson.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key private resort on Grand Bahama, Bahamas

The Royal Bahamas Police Force identified the victims as a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman. The 79-year-old man was snorkeling off the beach at approximately noon when he became unresponsive. He was pulled from the water by a lifeguard and received CPR on shore but was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., the 74-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at the resort. Despite life-saving efforts by staff and medical teams, she also died at the scene. Autopsies are underway to determine the exact causes of death, authorities said.

Carnival’s Mardi Gras docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 4, 2021

One of the victims had arrived at Celebration Key aboard the six-day Eastern Bahama cruise on the Mardi Gras departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. The second victim had traveled on the Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville, Florida, on a four-day cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line expressed condolences and said its Care Team is providing support to the families of both guests.

Celebration Key officially opened on July 19 and features multiple attractions, including Starfish and Calypso Lagoons, the Pearl Cove Beach Club with its 11,000-square-foot infinity pool, and what Carnival describes as the world’s largest swim-up bar. The resort currently has a pier capable of docking two Carnival ships, with expansion plans underway.