Before the first cruise ship docks, before the influencers fly in, and before the world gets a full glimpse of what Carnival Cruise Line has been building, Wybe was there. We joined the exclusive Family & Friends Day at Celebration Key, a private event held for locals, staff families, and Carnival team members to experience the cruise destination before its official debut.

Located on the southern coast of Grand Bahama, Celebration Key isn’t just another stop, it’s a celebration of Bahamian beauty, culture, and creativity designed from the ground up. And what made our visit so special wasn’t just the scenery, it was witnessing Bahamians, whose hands helped build this experience, getting to enjoy it.

From the moment we stepped into Paradise Plaza, Celebration Key lived up to its name. The plaza buzzed with excitement, families arriving in matching fits, kids rushing toward the splash zones, and Carnival crew beaming with pride and giving a lively welcome. It was a rare moment: the calm before the global spotlight, shared among the people closest to its creation.

We explored Starfish Lagoon, where children floated in the freshwater lagoon while their parents lounged nearby, snapping photos under striped umbrellas. The laughter here was real. This space is designed for memory making, and that’s exactly what we witnessed.

In Lokono Cove, we wandered into a celebration of Bahamian artistry. Though The Cove isn’t yet filled with vendors, its walls are already brought to life with vibrant murals and stunning artwork.

But the beat picked up in Calypso Lagoon, where teens and adults danced in the water to a Bahamian DJ giving pure energy. The swim-up bar flowed, the volleyball courts filled, and for a moment it felt like the whole island was on holiday. The western side, reserved for adults only, gave us a preview of what’s sure to become the hotspot for adult passengers.

Then came Pearl Cove Beach Club private, quiet, and elevated. Designed for adults who want something a bit more refined, it felt like an escape within the escape. Though off limits at the time, you could see the infinity pool and the plush loungers that made it clear: Carnival is raising the bar.

But what stood out the most wasn’t the amenities, it was the atmosphere. Celebration Key felt personal. Purposeful. Seeing families who helped bring it to life finally enjoy the space made it feel like a small win for the community, not just a corporate milestone.

While other outlets will cover Celebration Key when it officially opens, Wybe was there when it was still real. Still intimate. Still full of firsts.

Celebration Key opens soon. But the story already started, we were side by side with the workers, the kids, the aunties, the cousins, the locals. The people who will forever say, we were here first.

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The Bahamas is Our Wybe is our all-Bahamian playlist featuring the hits you know and love. This Independence, it’s all about celebrating the 242. From classics to new anthems, this is the playlist to blast this month.

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This film does not have a tagline. A down on his luck fisherman finds himself in a situation that requires him to do something illegal in order to provide for his family. When his position begins to shift due to the plight of those involved, it becomes clear that no one will be left untainted by the dire straits each individual must find the will to survive through.

Cargo is a film that intelligently shows you different aspects of the immigration situation in The Bahamas. The fact that it uses different points of view helps you to see the fear that sometimes fuels the decisions of those involved and does not shy away from multi-faceted characterization. This topic is far from black & white and under the beautiful tropical sky and on the crystal blue Bahamian sea there are people with murky souls trying to eke out a life that is no vacation. Warren Brown and Gessica Geneus give strong performances that show two sides of the same coin of desperation when the life you expect to lead does not go the way you first intend. Kareem Mortimer as the writer and director is able to bring a vision to the silver screen that is not widely seen, but can be understood by anyone who has felt the kind of love that becomes a burden under certain circumstances. There is a complexity to the movie that is reminiscent of Children of God and makes me want to see what else this filmmaker has to offer with his view of this particular diaspora. I rate this a 4 out of 5.

Rated 4 out of 5

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Grand Bahama WelComing Home: A Weekend of Culture & Pride

Grand Bahama came alive this weekend with two powerful events, the WelComing Home Grand Expo on July 4th, and the Grand Cultural Fair in downtown Freeport on July 5th.

The Expo, held at the Grand Lucayan Resort, was a celebration of growth and opportunity. Attendees browsed dozens of local vendors, tapped into resources for business development, and heard from industry leaders in a series of engaging empowerment seminars. It was a clear message to Grand Bahamians abroad and at home: Grand Bahama is ready for your comeback.

The momentum carried straight into Saturday as downtown Freeport transformed into a cultural stage for the Grand Cultural Fair. The streets were filled with food, music, and national pride. Performances by Bahamian stars like Neshie L.S, Sharade Taylor, D-Mac, and more had the crowd dancing and waving flags late into the night.

These two events captured what Grand Bahama is all about, resilience, unity, and flavor.

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The Shirt That Sparked a National Debate

With the beginning of July, many Bahamian clothing brands began unveiling their Independence collections, drops filled with flag colors, national symbols, and nostalgic nods to Bahamian pride. But one brand’s bold release stole the spotlight and the comment sections.

The shirt in question? A striking graphic of Sir Lynden Pindling, the nation’s first Prime Minister, styled with gold grills and a heavy coin chain. For the brand, it was a remix of tradition an attempt to bridge national pride with streetwear culture. But for many Bahamians, it crossed a line.

Social media quickly lit up. Some users praised the design as edgy, creative, and a powerful symbol of youth reclaiming national identity. “Where can I get one?,” one post read. Others weren’t so sure. Critics called the shirt “distasteful,” accusing the brand of disrespecting the legacy of a man who helped shape the modern Bahamas.

The debate exposed a generational divide between those who see art as static and sacred, and those who believe it should evolve with the times. Is it okay to reinterpret a national figure through today’s lens? Or should certain icons remain untouched?

The brand responded in a press release saying “Our goal was simply to merge tradition with creativity to honour our roots while expressing ourselves as free, young creators”

Love it or loathe it, the design forced the country to ask bigger questions about how we honour the past while expressing the present. One thing’s for sure: in the world of fashion and patriotism, the line between respect and rebellion is thinner than ever.