Carnival Cruise Line’s new private island destination, Celebration Key, may look like paradise—but if you're assuming food and drinks are included like they are on the ship, think again.

Unlike other cruise line private islands, Celebration Key uses a system called Island Eats, and it’s different from what most guests expect. Each person only gets one free Island Eats meal per day—after that, you’ll need to pay for everything else you eat or drink on the island.

This guide breaks it all down so you understand how Island Eats works, where to find your included meal, and how to avoid unnecessary charges.

What Is Island Eats?

Island Eats is the food system used at Celebration Key. It includes 14 casual dining spots—mostly food trucks, snack shacks, and quick-service counters—spread throughout the island.

Every guest is entitled to just one complimentary Island Eats meal per visit. That free meal includes:

One entrée from the Island Eats menu
One side (usually fries or chips)
One chocolate chip cookie

To redeem your free meal, you must swipe your own Sail & Sign card (Carnival cruise card). Each person needs to swipe individually—you cannot share your Island Eats credit or use your card for someone else.

Once you've used your free Island Eats meal, all additional food on the island will cost extra—even if it's from the same place.

Where You Can Use Your One Free Meal

There are 14 Island Eats locations across Celebration Key. These spots are designed for casual, grab-and-go meals and are easy to find around the island. Here’s what each one offers:

Here’s what each one serves:

Beachside Burgers and More
Burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, Caesar salads, fries, and a cookie. Click here to view menu

Calypso Chicken Co.
Spicy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, cheesesteaks, Caesar salads. Click here to view menu

Flippin’ Fritters
Conch, shrimp, and corn fritters, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, cookie. You can buy extra fritters or sauces. Click here to view menu

Fowl Play Wings Co.
4-piece wings or boneless wings in different sauces (Korean BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Bahama Buffalo), fries, and a cookie. Click here to view menu

Grand Bahama Taco Co.
Tacos and quesadillas (jerk chicken, fried fish, steak, or veggie), plus a cookie. Click here to view menu

Mini Donut King
Pick 4 mini donuts (two regular and two fancy ones like Oreo or Maple Bacon), comes with shaved ice. Click here to view menu

Seaside Burgers & Dogs
Simple burgers, hot dogs, Caesar salads, fries, and a cookie. Click here to view menu

Seaside Shack: Subs & Tenders
Cheesesteak sandwiches, grilled chicken melts, tenders, mozzarella sticks, Caesar salads, and fries. Click here to view menu

Streatery Sushiva
Two special Island Eats sushi rolls (Orange Chicken Roll and Crazy California Roll), plus a cookie. Click here to view menu

Pizza & Subs
Mini cheese or pepperoni pizza, sub sandwiches with chips, or beef lasagna. Click here to view menu

Taco, Burrito, or Bowl
Build-your-own taco, burrito, or bowl with rice, toppings, and sauces. Click here to view menu

Mediterranean Flavors
Create a bowl with pita, rice, or greens; add protein (shawarma or falafel), toppings, and dressing like garlic sauce. Click here to view menu

Snack Shack – Calypso & Starfish Lagoon
Wraps (turkey club, chicken Caesar, veggie), hot dogs, Caesar salads, chips, and a cookie. Click here to view menu

Once you use your one free meal at any of these, you’re done. If you go to another place—or even back to the same one—you’ll have to pay.

What Happens After You Use Your Island Eats Meal?

Once you’ve swiped your card and received your one free Island Eats meal, here’s what happens:

Any additional food from any dining venue will cost extra
Upgraded or premium items not listed on the Island Eats menu are not included
Meals at full-service restaurants on Celebration Key are not part of Island Eats and must be paid for separately

If you don’t want to pay extra, there’s a smart workaround: go back to the ship. Celebration Key allows unlimited back-and-forth access between the ship and the island. You can return to eat at the ship’s included restaurants, then head back to the island afterward.

What About Full-Service Restaurants?

Mingo's Tropical Bar & Kitchen © Carnival Cruise Line

Gill's Grill © Carnival Cruise Line

Celebration Key also features four full-service restaurants, but they’re not part of the Island Eats program. You have three options if you want to dine at these:

Pay full price à la carte using your Sail & Sign or credit card
Use your Island Eats credit for 25% off one entrée (instead of using your Island Eats free meal credit)
Purchase a Pearl Cove All-Inclusive Pass, which includes one premium meal at the Pearl Cove Beach Club restaurant, along with access to Pearl Cove Beach Club

Here are the full-service restaurants:

Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen
Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews
Gill’s Grill
Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant (only with paid beach club access)

Menus and pricing for these full-service spots are expected soon.

Drinks at Celebration Key: What’s Free?

Drinks at Celebration Key follow a separate policy, and this often surprises guests:

Free: Plain water at designated stations around the island
Not free: Bottled water, soda, juice, and alcoholic drinks
Important: Carnival’s Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles drink packages do not work at Celebration Key

All beverages must be paid for using your Sail & Sign card or a credit/debit card. The island is fully cashless. Each adult is limited to 10 alcoholic drinks per day while on the island.

Captain's Galley Food Hall © Carnival Cruise Line

Celebration Key FAQ – Quick Answers

How many free meals do you get at Celebration Key?
Just one. After that, you pay out of pocket.

Can I go back to the ship for free food?
Yes. You can leave and reboard the ship as many times as you want during your port stop.

Do drink packages work on the island?
No. You’ll need to pay for any drinks you want on the island, except water from the free stations.

Can I use my Island Eats credit for someone else?
No. Everyone has to swipe their own card. You can’t use your credit for anyone else in your group.

Is food from the sit-down restaurants included?
No. These are extra. You can either pay full price, use your Island Eats credit for a 25% discount on one entrée, or dine there if you’ve bought the Pearl Cove All-Inclusive Pass.

Where are the Island Eats venues?
There are 14 total Island Eats venues across Celebration Key, including in both the Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon areas.

Bottom Line: Know the Island Eats Rules to Avoid Paying Extra

Celebration Key is beautiful, but if you don’t understand how Island Eats works, it’s easy to spend more money than you expected. Here’s what to remember: