Two drownings at Bahamas private island prompt safety review

Two American guests died from drownings on Carnival’s private Bahamas island, prompting police investigations and questions about on-site safety.

Two cruise passengers die in separate drownings on same day at Bahamas resort

Two American guests died in separate drownings on Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. A 79-year-old man snorkeled near a beach on Friday and appeared to struggle; lifeguards returned him to shore and CPR was performed, but he died soon after. Earlier the same day, a 74-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a swimming pool. Postmortems will determine the exact causes of death. Police from the Royal Bahamas are conducting investigations.

The island venue opened less than a month ago as part of Carnival’s private resort offering for guests from its ships Mardi Gras and Elation. The company said it is cooperating with authorities and provided support to the families, noting that trained lifeguards and medical professionals respond promptly. Both incidents involve guests traveling from Florida ports where Carnival is based.

The drownings highlight safety and oversight questions for private island destinations tied to major cruise brands. While authorities investigate, operators face pressure to show that water safety, lifeguard coverage, and emergency response meet high standards in a resort setting removed from typical shipboard constraints.

This incident comes at a time when the cruise industry is expanding private-island experiences as a selling point, but it also risks reputational damage if guests and families perceive gaps in risk management. Carnival’s response emphasizes care and rapid medical response, but the broader lesson may be about consistent safety protocols across all guest touchpoints, from beaches to pools to snorkeling activities.

Highlights

Safety should be a constant standard, not a selling point.