By
Laura Hyde |
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is to open an almost six-acre waterpark on its private island, Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas in summer 2026. The cruise line is expanding the offerings on the island to elevate the guest experience and help guests discover “The Great Life!”.
“Great Stirrup Cay has always been an amazing part of the NCL guest experience and continues to be one of our highest rated destinations,” said David J. Herrera, president of NCL. “At 270 acres, our private island provides us with an incredible blueprint to reinvent what guests can experience when they escape to ‘The Great Life’ with us.”
Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 waterslides, an almost 800-foot dynamic river, the 9,000-square-foot splash zone designed for children, the industry’s first cliffside jumps, among other attractions.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay will offer industry-first experiences
The 170-foot Tidal Tower will be home to eight waterslides, including racing slides, tube slides and body slides. Selected slides will include conveyer belts to lift rafts to the top of the tower, so guests don’t have to carry them.
The 170-foot Tidal Tower at Great Tides Waterpark will feature eight waterslides
Cliffside Cove will include racer slides, two different cliff jumps standing at 10 and 15 feet tall – a cruise industry first – and a family slide for four riders. The cove will also feature The Grotto Bar, a hidden cave bar tucked under the family slide.
Cliffside Cove will feature a family slide, which four guests can use simultaneously
The splash zone, situated at the centre of Great Tides Waterpark, will provide a space for children and offer an oversized tipping bucket more than 40 feet high, eight mini slides, and interactive water features.
The splash zone has been designed to cater to the youngest guests
The waterpark’s dynamic river, described by NCL as “an immersive water experience”, will have an accelerated current making it faster than a standard lazy river. Guests will be able to enter the 800-foot-long river at several points, including from a wading pool with a swim-up bar. A highlight on the river will be an illuminated grotto tunnel featuring a bioluminescent scene for a multisensory experience. Cabanas will be situated at the edge of the dynamic river, as well as the splash zone.
The dynamic river features an accelerated current making it faster and more exciting than a standard lazy river
NCL is also upgrading other areas of Great Stirrup Cay. Debuting later in 2025 is a new heated pool, a multi-ship pier, and a welcome plaza, as well as an island-wide tram service, designed to make it easier for guests to get around the island.
The expanded Great Life Lagoon will offer guests private ocean and pool view cabanas and villas, complimentary loungers and two swim-up bars, Reef Bar and Waves Bar.
The 3,400-square-foot Splash Harbor, a complimentary splash pad steps away from the new heated pool, will feature interactive water fountains and a shaded bar and lounge.
A new recreational area, Horizon Park, will feature lawn-style games, pickleball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, half a sports court and more. Meanwhile, Hammock Bay will include over 50 hammocks and a dedicated bar.
The adults-only Vibe Shore Club will include a private bar, hanging day beds and premium lounge seating.
A mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts will also open on the island.
“This new water park is an outstanding addition to our announcement about other amazing new amenities on the island soon to debut,” said Herrera. “With each phase of our enhancements, we’re bringing ashore more of what our guests love about sailing with NCL. Whether you want to relax by the huge new heated pool – complete with multiple swim up bars, are looking forward to racing down one of the 19 waterslides with your kids at Great Tides Waterpark, or just want to enjoy the ocean breeze from one of the hammocks at Hammock Bay, Great Stirrup Cay will soon boast even more ways to escape to your ‘great life’ for a memorable holiday on and off the ship. I am thrilled to welcome our guests to the greatest private island in the Caribbean!”
NCL will welcome one million guests to Great Stirrup Cay across 15 ships, including the new Norwegian Aqua, in 2026. A variety of seven-day Caribbean voyages will be available from PortMiami and Port Canaveral in Florida until October 2027 with calls to the Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and other destinations. Additionally, Norwegian Luna, which is set to debut in March 2026, will offer seven-day Caribbean itineraries from April 2026 to October 2026.
Read more: Interior view: Norwegian Aqua