Carnival Cruise Line unveils lavish $890m private island, Celebration Key in the Bahamas

The world's tallest sandcastle, longest swim-up bar and biggest Caribbean freshwater lagoon - Carnival Cruise Line has gone all out with its $890m new private island.

Celebration Key in the Bahamas is the latest destination to be unveiled by a cruise line.

It's on Grand Bahama, not too far from Florida in the US.

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And if you're setting sail in the Caribbean or Bahamas, it's likely your ship will visit a private island or resort owned by the cruise line, such as Carnivals.

The destinations are becoming increasingly lavish, with huge pools, private villas and adventurous activities on offer.

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And forget just lounging the beach, the new Celebration Key island is packed with family-friendly activities.

Guests are greeted by the 10-story Suncastle, which has two racing waterslides.

For the daring only, they include 107m feet of turns and sudden drops.

There are no less than 30 food and drink outlets on the island, with some included in the cruise fare.

And while many activities are aimed at families with kids, the Pearl Cove Beach Club is an adults-only retreat.

Carnival President Christine Duffy called it "the ultimate beach day."

The island is split into areas.

Calypso Lagoon has a huge 25,000sqm pool, as well as a dedicated area for adults.

There's also a DJ Island and the world's largest swim-up bar with 166 in-water seats to sit and sip cocktails.

Or hang out at the Sunshine Swings Bar with nearly 50 swings on which to perch.

Dining and drink options in the area include Surf N' Sauce BBQ & Brew, Calypso Food Trucks and Snack Shacks.

And if all that sounds like too much, there's also a sandy beach stretching 1.6km.

Cabanas, day beds and even villas are on offer.

Meanwhile, Carnival boasts Pearl Cove Beach Club is the largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination.

It has a mammoth infinity pool overlooking a white sand beach, alongside loungers, cabanas and what it calls 'supervillas'.

However it does cost extra to hang out like a celeb for the day in this upmarket section - with the villas going for thousand of dollars.

Traditional Bahamian junkanoo parades as well as roaming rake-and-scrape musicians bring a local flavour to the island. You can compete in beach games and water sports as well as excursions are also options.

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Carnival Cruise Line has four ships in Australia: Carnival Splendor, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Adventure, and Carnival Encounter.

Anton Loeb, Senior Director Sales & Marketing, Carnival Cruise Line Australia said it was and "exciting" time for the company, which hopes to welcome Aussies to the island.

"Australians now have even more ways to experience Carnival, whether close to home or at incredible destinations like Celebration Key," Anton shares with 9Travel.

"Whether cruising from Sydney or Brisbane, or planning an overseas holiday, our guests can expect the same great value, fun, and unforgettable experiences that define a Carnival cruise."

To mark the recent unveiling, the cruise firm made basketballer Shaquille O'Neal 'Chief Fun Officer'. He shot some hoops at the island's basketball court.

Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million guests a year to Grand Bahama, Carnival says. By 2028, that will double.

Two ships can dock daily, with work underway to build a pier to allow two more.

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