American Tourists Tragedy at Carnival's Exclusive Bahamas Destination: What We Know

In a tragic turn of events, two American tourists lost their lives in separate drowning incidents at Celebration Key, the exclusive private destination for Carnival Cruise Line guests situated on Grand Bahama Island. The victims, a 74-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man, were on vacation with their families aboard the Mardi Gras and Carnival Elation cruises.

Paradise Turns Tragic

Celebration Key, a $600 million resort recently opened by Carnival in July, has been marketed as a one-of-a-kind vacation experience with access restricted to the cruise line's passengers. The resort features attractions such as beaches, artificial lagoons, water parks, pools, dining establishments, and entertainment venues. However, on Friday, August 15, the site became the backdrop for two deaths that have left both guests and Carnival staff in shock.

"Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergencies at Celebration Key on Friday: one in the lagoon and another on the beach. Sadly, both guests have passed away," Carnival Cruise Line stated in a report referenced by CBS News.

Snorkeling Incident: 79-Year-Old Man Found Unconscious

The first emergency was reported shortly before noon. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, a 79-year-old man was discovered unresponsive aboard a commercial watercraft. Preliminary reports suggest that he lost consciousness while snorkeling at one of the resort's beaches.

"A lifeguard assisted him from the water and CPR was administered, but unfortunately, they were unable to revive him," the police disclosed to NBC News. A doctor pronounced the man dead shortly afterward. While his nationality was confirmed as American, his identity remains undisclosed.

Pool Incident: 74-Year-Old Woman Collapses

Later, around 2:30 p.m. on the same day, authorities were alerted to a second case. A 74-year-old woman was found unconscious in a pool at the same resort. According to police accounts, a lifeguard pulled her from the water and attempted CPR, but was unsuccessful. She was also pronounced dead by a doctor. As with the previous case, the victim was an American citizen, and her identity has not been released to respect the family's privacy.

Carnival Cruise Line's Response

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance," the company said in a statement disseminated by the media. Carnival asserted that their lifeguards and medical personnel responded promptly and are fully cooperating with the investigation led by Bahamian authorities.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating both deaths and has announced that autopsies will be conducted to determine the precise causes. "Autopsies will be performed on both victims to help ascertain the exact cause of death. The investigation continues in both cases," the police confirmed.

So far, no shortcomings have been identified in Celebration Key's safety protocols. However, the occurrence of two fatalities within mere hours has raised concerns and scrutiny over the new resort's safety standards.

Another Incident in the Bahamas: Shark Attack

While these deaths are under investigation, a third incident occurred elsewhere in the archipelago. A 63-year-old American was attacked by a shark while spearfishing at Big Grand Cay on Saturday around 1:00 p.m., according to Bahamian police. The man, whose identity was also not disclosed, sustained "serious injuries" and was rushed to a local clinic before being airlifted to the United States for specialized treatment.