NCL to launch waterpark and new amenities at Great Stirrup Cay by summer 2026
NCL - Great Stirrup Cay waterparkaerial
The group is set to welcome one million guests to Great Stirrup Cay across 15 of its ships in 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced additional details for its private island transformation on Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas headlined by a nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark opening in the Northern Hemisphere summer 2026, and more experiences.
From cliff jumps and jet karts to swim-up bars and splash zones, the expansion of the island’s offerings is designed to elevate every guest’s experience with more freedom, more flexibility and more ways for them to discover “The Great Life!” at Great Stirrup Cay.
“Great Stirrup Cay has always been an amazing part of the Norwegian Cruise Line guest experience and continues to be one of our highest rated destinations,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “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. This new waterpark is an outstanding addition to our recent announcement about other amazing new amenities on the island soon to debut. 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 vacation on and off the ship. I am thrilled to welcome our guests to the greatest private island in the Caribbean!”
The new water park offers 19 waterslides, a nearly 250 metre dynamic river, the 836-square-metre splash zone for kids, and cliffside jumps. It also features a nearly 52 metres Tidal Tower, home to eight waterslides; The Grotto Bar, a cave bar under the family slide; an 836-square-metre kids splash zone; Eight mini slides and interactive water features complete.
An all-new mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts – combining elements of go-karting and jet skiing – will soon be launched. Debuting later this year, guests are expected to enjoy some experiences at Great Stirrup Cay, beginning with the opening of the heated pool, a new multi-ship pier, the plaza, and a tram service. The Great Life Lagoon, the recently announced expansive 1.4-acre pool area, will be complete with private ocean and pool view cabanas and villas, a complimentary loungers and two swim-up bars offering.
It will also offer the soon-to-be all-new complimentary recreational area, Horizon Park, will feature lawn style games, pickleball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, half a sports court and more. Hammock Bay will include over 50 hammocks and a bar.
As the Company transforms Great Stirrup Cay, and due to the growing guest demand of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, Norwegian Cruise Line is set to welcome one million guests to Great Stirrup Cay across 15 of its ships in 2026. It will bring its ships to its private island in the Bahamas, including Norwegian Aqu, offering a variety of seven-day Caribbean voyages from Miami and Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla. through October 2027 with calls to the Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and more. In addition, Norwegian Luna, the Company’s latest vessel debuting in March 2026, will also offer seven-day Caribbean itineraries from April 2026 to October 2026, visiting the same beautiful tropical destinations as her sister ship, Norwegian Aqua.
