Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is set to redefine family travel this year with the grand opening of the highly anticipated Great Tides Waterpark on its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.
Scheduled to debut on September 4, 2026, the expansive, six-acre waterpark serves as the centrepiece of a broader lifestyle transformation designed to offer families a break from the rigid schedules of daily life.
The new waterpark promises a blend of high-energy adventure and family-friendly fun, anchored by the 170-foot Tidal Tower. Key attractions include Breakwater Blasters (industry-first water coasters that feature downhill drops and uphill blasts) The Great Slide (The Caribbean’s only four-person body slide), Wandering River (an over 800-foot, high-energy take on a classic lazy river) and Splash Cay (9,000-square-foot dedicated zone for younger guests).
For those seeking relaxation, the expansion includes private cabanas that accommodate up to six guests, offering shaded comfort just steps from the action. Complementing the thrills are three new food trucks, providing a variety of dining options for guests throughout their stay.
The addition of the waterpark builds on significant recent enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay, which now features the Great Life Lagoon, complete with a beach-style entry pool and swim-up bars, and a new tram system that allows multi-generational travellers to navigate the island with ease.
“With our enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay, we aren't just offering a beautiful beach day - we are offering families a different relationship with time,” says Rebecca Ransom, MEA Business Development Manager for NCL. “By seamlessly pairing high-energy thrills at Great Tides Waterpark with the laid-back comfort of our new lagoons, private cabanas, and food trucks, we have built an island sanctuary where every generation can find their own rhythm. It’s a place where the collective pace softens, conversations deepen, and families can genuinely reconnect without compromise.”
Guests sailing to Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4, 2026, can now purchase day passes and reserve private cabanas. The island is accessible year-round via itineraries departing from key homeports, including Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, and Philadelphia.
Travellers eager to experience the new attractions first can book the Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean sailing departing from Miami on August 29, 2026, or opt for shorter weekend getaways on the Norwegian Getaway.