Two American nationals, aged 74 and 79, tragically drowned in separate incidents on Friday at Celebration Key, a $600 million private destination created for Carnival Cruise Line passengers in the Bahamas.
The resort, which launched in July, is located about 100 miles off the coast of Florida and offers various amenities, including beaches, lagoons, pools, a swing bar, and retail areas.
According to Carnival Cruise Line, lifeguards and medical teams responded to two emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday.
Two American nationals, aged 74 and 79, tragically drowned in separate incidents on Friday at Celebration Key, a $600 million private destination created for Carnival Cruise Line passengers in the Bahamas.
The resort, which launched in July, is located about 100 miles off the coast of Florida and offers various amenities, including beaches, lagoons, pools, a swing bar, and retail areas.
According to Carnival Cruise Line, lifeguards and medical teams responded to two emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday,” the cruise line stated. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.” The incidents occurred shortly before noon and roughly two and a half hours later, respectively.
In the first incident, a 79-year-old man snorkeling off the beach was discovered unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts by a lifeguard, he was later declared dead by medical doctors.
The second incident involved a 74-year-old woman found unconscious while swimming in a pool. A lifeguard performed CPR after removing her from the water, but she was also pronounced dead.
Carnival confirmed that the two guests were traveling separately with their families onboard different ships: the Carnival Mardi Gras, which departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando, and the Carnival Elation, which sails from Jacksonville.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance,” the statement from the cruise line said. The company is working with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
Autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact causes of death, with investigations still ongoing into both incidents.
The victims’ names have not been released. This tragic event has raised concerns about safety measures at the resort, which expects to welcome around 2 million visitors annually, with that number expected to double by 2028.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday,” the cruise line stated. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.” The incidents occurred shortly before noon and roughly two and a half hours later, respectively.
In the first incident, a 79-year-old man snorkeling off the beach was discovered unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts by a lifeguard, he was later declared dead by medical doctors.
The second incident involved a 74-year-old woman found unconscious while swimming in a pool. A lifeguard performed CPR after removing her from the water, but she was also pronounced dead.
Carnival confirmed that the two guests were traveling separately with their families onboard different ships: the Carnival Mardi Gras, which departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando, and the Carnival Elation, which sails from Jacksonville.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance,” the statement from the cruise line said. The company is working with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
Autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact causes of death, with investigations still ongoing into both incidents. The victims’ names have not been released.
This tragic event has raised concerns about safety measures at the resort, which expects to welcome around 2 million visitors annually, with that number expected to double by 2028.