Carnival’s new private island destination in the Bahamas has seen the deaths of two American tourists in separate drowning incidents, less than a month after its grand opening.
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the incidents, involving a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, occurred on Friday at the resort.
Police reports indicate the man was found “unresponsive while snorkeling at a beach.” Lifeguards pulled him from the water and performed CPR, but were unsuccessful in reviving him.
The woman “became unresponsive while swimming in a pool,” according to police. Lifeguards also assisted her out of the water and administered CPR, but she could not be saved.
Investigations are underway, including autopsies, to determine the exact cause of death in both cases.
A Carnival representative confirmed the deaths to Digital, stating that the incidents took place at their new destination. They stated that the cruise line’s “lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate water emergency incidents—one in the lagoon and one at the beach.”
“One guest was sailing with family on Mardi Gras and one guest was sailing with family on Carnival Elation,” the Carnival spokesperson added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our Care Team is providing assistance.”
officially opened to cruise passengers on July 19th. The $600 million resort boasts attractions like a 10-story sandcastle, “two thrilling racing watersides,” a shopping area, a basketball court, and a designated “adults-only retreat,” as stated in Carnival’s initial press release.
Carnival anticipates that “Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million to Grand Bahama,” and expects that “By 2028, this number is expected to grow to four million. The economic impact for Grand Bahama is substantial, with hundreds of long-term jobs created by daily operations. The destination features an adjacent cruise pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival’s largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate two additional ships.”
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