Norwegian Cruise Line Opens Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding a major new attraction to Great Stirrup Cay, and cruisers visiting the private Bahamian Island now have a whole new way to spend their day.

Great Tides Waterpark officially opened September 4, 2026, bringing nearly six acres of water attractions to Norwegian's 270-acre private island destination.

NCL recently held an exclusive preview event for the new waterpark, giving media, travel partners, content creators and special guests an opportunity to try out many of the attractions before the official opening.

And this isn't just a pool with a couple of waterslides. Great Tides Waterpark is being built around four distinct areas, with everything from massive waterslides and cliff jumps to a lazy river and a giant splash area for younger guests.

The first thing you're likely to notice is the 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower. The massive structure features eight waterslides, including some rather unusual attractions. One of them is the Tropic Spiral, which NCL describes as the world's first Nautilus slide. The slide sends riders through large spirals while changing directions throughout the ride.

Then there are the Breakwater Blasters, which NCL calls the first dueling Master Blaster slides in the Caribbean. These aren't your typical waterslides. Riders in inner tubes are propelled uphill by high-pressure water jets before heading through drops, twists and turns. For anyone who enjoys the thrill side of a waterpark, Tidal Tower is likely to be one of the biggest draws.

If waterslides aren't quite enough of an adrenaline rush, Great Tides has another option. Cliffside Cove features what NCL calls the industry's first cliff-jump attraction and the tallest cliff jumps in the Caribbean. Guests can jump from platforms 10 or 15 feet above the water. There is also The Great Slide, a family slide that allows up to four people to ride together.

And then there are the Fearless Falls slides, which drop riders into the water from five feet above the surface. So yes, there's plenty here for cruisers who like their island day with a little adrenaline.

Not everyone wants to spend their entire day flying down waterslides. That's where the Wandering River comes in. The river stretches more than 800 feet and includes an immersive tunnel and something you don't normally associate with a lazy river and a swim-up bar.

The Floataway Bar is located alongside the river, allowing guests to grab a drink without having to completely abandon their floating experience. It's a very different way to experience the waterpark than the towering slides.

For families with younger children, Splash Cay offers a less intimidating option. The area covers more than 9,000 square feet and includes:

• A 300-gallon tipping bucket

• Eight mini-slides

• Interactive water features

• Family-friendly water play areas

This could be one of the more practical areas of the waterpark for families who have children who aren't quite ready for the bigger attractions.

NCL's investment in Great Stirrup Cay extends beyond Great Tides Waterpark. The island also features the new Great Life Lagoon, an expansive pool area with two swim-up bars, private cabanas and complimentary loungers and umbrellas. Families can also visit Splash Harbor, a complimentary splash pad located near the pool.

For adults looking for something quieter, NCL offers the adults-only Vibe Shore Club. Guests can purchase a day pass for access to premium loungers, cabanas and a dedicated bar.

There's also Silver Cove, where guests can rent premium air-conditioned villas, purchase a day pass or book a treatment at Silver Cove Spa. In other words, guests don't have to buy a waterpark pass to have a full day at Great Stirrup Cay.

A day at a waterpark tends to work up an appetite, and NCL has added new food options to Great Tides. Three new food trucks will offer different choices:

Low Tide Smoke will serve barbecue.

Catch of the Cay will focus on seafood.

And Tidal Treats will offer handcrafted ice cream and soft serve.

That's a nice addition for a waterpark where guests may not want to leave the area to find something to eat.

NCL also incorporated Bahamian culture into the opening celebration with a Junkanoo performance. Junkanoo is a traditional Bahamian celebration featuring music, dancing and colorful costumes.

It's a reminder that while Great Stirrup Cay is a private cruise line destination, it is still part of The Bahamas, and the company has been putting considerable investment into making the island a larger part of the Norwegian cruise experience.

Great Tides Waterpark is not simply included with every Norwegian cruise. Guests can purchase a waterpark pass after booking their cruise by logging into their myNCL account.

That means you'll want to check the price for your particular sailing before deciding whether the waterpark makes sense for your family. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of complimentary things to do around Great Stirrup Cay, including enjoying the beaches, using complimentary loungers and umbrellas and visiting Splash Harbor.

There are also additional-cost activities and excursions available around the island, including snorkeling, paddle boarding and a zipline from the island's Flighthouse.

Great Stirrup Cay Is Becoming a Destination of Its Own  For years, private islands were often viewed as simply another beach day during a cruise.

NCL appears to be taking a different approach.

With the addition of Great Tides Waterpark, Great Life Lagoon, new dining options and upgraded premium areas, the company is turning Great Stirrup Cay into a destination where guests could potentially spend an entire day without feeling like they need to go anywhere else and that's really the interesting part.

You can have a traditional beach day. You can spend the day at a pool. You can pay extra for an adults-only experience. You can rent a premium villa or, now, you can spend the day riding waterslides and floating through an 800-foot river.

Great Stirrup Cay is visited by Norwegian Cruise Line ships throughout the year. NCL offers cruises to the island from several homeports, including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville. For cruisers who have an upcoming sailing that includes Great Stirrup Cay, the new waterpark gives them another option for their port day and for families in particular, it could make Great Stirrup Cay one of the most anticipated stops on the itinerary.

We've watched cruise lines continue to invest heavily in their private destinations, and Great Tides Waterpark is a pretty significant example of that trend. It's not simply another pool or a couple of slides added to the beach.

NCL has created an entire waterpark with a 170-foot tower, eight slides, a huge lazy river, cliff jumps and a large family splash area. Of course, the big question for cruisers will be whether the price of admission is worth it.

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