Norwegian Cruise Line's brand-new Great Tides Waterpark opens September 4 at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, marking the final phase of the private island's year-long renovation. The nearly six-acre waterpark features 19 slides, including unique cliff jumps, a four-person family slide, and a tube ride that uses water jets to propel riders both downward and upward.
The waterpark centers on the Tidal Tower, a multi-level structure anchored by the Breakwater Blasters slide. Cliffside Cove offers two cliff jump options into a pool below, a feature rarely seen in commercial waterparks. A separate splashpad area caters to younger children, while a tunnel-equipped lazy river and additional family-friendly slides round out the attractions. The Norwegian Luna becomes the first ship to visit the new facility on its August 29 sailing.
Great Stirrup Cay has undergone significant improvements beyond the waterpark. Earlier this year, NCL opened a heated pool, adult-only beach club, swim-up bars, and cabanas. A new dock, completed before the pool renovation, allows ships to dock even in less-ideal weather conditions, eliminating the tender boat uncertainty that once plagued visits to the island.
On-site dining includes Low Tide Smoke for barbecue, Catch of the Day for seafood, and Tidal Treats for desserts, plus a complimentary buffet. Passengers holding the drink packages from their ships can use them throughout the waterpark and island. Waterpark admission costs between $80 and $90 per person, though pricing may vary by cruise line or sailing. Cabana rentals include waterpark access.
For cruisers sailing Norwegian in September and beyond, the expanded Great Stirrup Cay transforms a once quiet island into a destination offering genuine alternatives to competitor islands like CocoCay. The combination of dock reliability and waterpark capacity addresses longtime passenger frustrations with the original facility.
Originally reported by Cruzely, Tanner Callais (August 5, 2026).
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