Norwegian Cruise Line is unveiling more details about its plans to expand Great Stirrup Cay.
Next summer, the company will unveil the brand new Great Tides Waterpark at its private island in the Bahamas. The massive waterpark, which spans nearly six acres, will have 19 waterslides, cliff jumps, a 9,000-square-foot splash zone, swim-up bars, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a new jet kars water track and other experiences.
In the meantime, guests can enjoy Great Stirrup Cay activations in New York City from July 29-31 and in Miami throughout August. The company is also launching a nationwide sweepstakes to give away 250 cruises that include stops at Great Stirrup Cay.
A map of the expansion at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
For a limited time, Norwegian Cruise Line is also offering up to $1,500 off all Caribbean and Bahamas sailings during “The Great Life Sale.” Latitudes Members will also receive a $50 onboard credit per stateroom.
“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,” says 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.”
The $150 million project also includes the construction of a new pier that will increase the destination’s capacity. Once the pier is complete, multiple ships will be able to call on the island at the same time. Norwegian Cruise Line expects to welcome one million guests to Great Stirrup Cay on 15 of its ships in 2026, including Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.
A rendering of the new Great Tides Water Par at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
Great Tides Waterpark will be home to the 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower, which will feature eight waterslides. The tallest slides include splashing drops and thrilling climbs on an inner tube, while others are racing slides where guests can speed to the finish line on a mat. Some of the slides will include conveyor belts to lift the rafts to the top of the tower, meaning guests don’t have to carry them.
Cliffside Cove, meanwhile, will also have racer slides, as well as two different cliff jumps standing 10 and 15 feet tall. There’s also a family slide, where four guests can slide down simultaneously, as well as The Grotto Bar, a hidden cave bar tucked under the family slide.
A rendering of the new Great Tides Water Park at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
The 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone will have an oversized tipping bucket towering more than 40 feet above the ground, as well as eight mini slides and interactive water features. The water park will also feature a dynamic river, featuring an accelerated current that will make it faster than a typical lazy river. nearby. One of the highlights of the dynamic river is an illuminated grotto tunnel featuring a bioluminescent scene. Cabanas will be situated at the edge of the dynamic river and the kids splash zone.
Guests can also enjoy a new mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts, a hybrid of go-karting and jet skiing. Other upgrades include a new heated pool, a new welcome plaza, a new tram service and more.
A rendering of the new Great Tides Water Park at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
The Great Life Lagoon will have cabanas and villas, free loungers and two swim-up bars, Reef Bar and Waves Bar. Steps away from the new heated pool, little ones can take advantage of the new 3,400-square-foot Splash Harbor splash pad, with interactive water fountains, aquatic features and a shaded bar and lounge for parents.
Norwegian is also adding a new recreational area called Horizon Park, featuring lawn games, pickleball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, half a sports court and more. Hammock Bay will offer more than 50 hammocks while the adults-only Vibe Shore Club boasts a private bar, hanging day beds and premium lounge seating.
Travelers in the U.S. and Canada can enter for a chance to win a free, four-day voyage to Great Stirrup Cay in August 2026 during the company’s nationwide sweepstakes, which runs July 29 through August 31.
A rendering of the new Great Tides Water Park at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
To celebrate the expansion, Norwegian is also debuting “Escape to the Great Life” activations in New York City and Miami.
Starting at 3 p.m. on July 29 a custom “escape hatch” will open at 104 Grand Street, New York City, transporting guests to the island paradise Guests will find immersive LED graphic island visuals, they’ll be able to dance to the beat of live steel drums, snag beach ready NCL merchandise and enter to win the “Escape to the Great Life” sweepstakes.
Seven custom “escape hatches” are also being hidden across Manhattan in the popular areas of Hudson Yards, Gansevoort Plaza, 54th Street in Times Square, Broadway and Broome, Grand Central Station, State Street in the Financial District, and on the Highline Sundeck on 14th Street. Throughout the month of August, three “escape hatches” will also be hidden throughout Miami in Wynwood, on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach and at Bayside Marketplace in downtown.
“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,” says Herrera. “I am thrilled to welcome our guests to the greatest private island in the Caribbean.”
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