Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the highly anticipated Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas, will officially open on September 4, 2026, coinciding with Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean sailing.
Guests sailing to Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4, 2026, can now purchase day passes to the new waterpark and customise their island experience through advance booking. Guests will also have the option to reserve private cabanas accommodating up to six people, which include admission to the waterpark and shaded lounge areas located near the park’s signature attraction, the 170-foot Tidal Tower.
The new attraction will span nearly six acres and feature 19 waterslides alongside a range of immersive family-friendly experiences. At the centre of the waterpark will be the Tidal Tower, home to the Breakwater Blasters, described by the cruise line as industry-first water coasters combining downhill drops with uphill water-propelled sections aboard inner tubes.
Additional attractions at the tower will include the Whitewater Dash body slides, Rapid Mat Racers mat slides, and enclosed tube slides named Tropic Storm and Tropic Spiral.
Among the major highlights will be Cliffside Cove, featuring what Norwegian Cruise Line describes as the industry’s first and highest cliff jumps, as well as The Great Slide, the Caribbean’s only four-person body slide. Other attractions will include Fearless Falls racing slides and the Grotto Bar, located beneath the slides and designed as a viewing and relaxation area.
Families travelling with children will have access to Splash Cay, a 9,000-square-foot splash zone designed for younger guests, while adventure-focused visitors can experience the Wandering River, an over 800-foot water attraction positioned as a more energetic alternative to a traditional lazy river.
The waterpark further expands the recent redevelopment of Great Stirrup Cay, which earlier in 2026 introduced the Great Life Lagoon featuring a beach-style entry pool and swim-up bars, the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, the Splash Harbor children’s splash area and a new tram transportation system across the island.
Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, said, “Great Stirrup Cay continues to evolve as the premier private island destination in the Bahamas, and we’re excited to officially open Great Tides Waterpark on Sept. 4, 2026. With the best activities for families and for every type of travellers, from high-energy slides to laid-back lagoon experiences, guests can purchase their day passes ahead and lock in an unforgettable day on the most spectacular private island in the Caribbean beginning tomorrow.”
Guests looking to experience the grand opening of the waterpark can sail aboard Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean itinerary departing Miami on Aug. 29, 2026. The itinerary includes calls at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
The cruise line said Norwegian Luna will continue operating Caribbean itineraries through November 2026, while Norwegian Getaway will offer shorter three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from Miami through October 2026.
Travellers can visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round through sailings departing from multiple homeports, including New York, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Miami. Guests will be able to purchase Great Tides Waterpark passes through their myNCL account following confirmation of their cruise reservation.
