MIAMI, Florida – 2 September 2026 – Norwegian Cruise Line has celebrated the opening of its new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s 270-acre private island in The Bahamas. According to the official press release, an exclusive preview event was held on Sept. 1, 2026 for government officials, travel partners, media and more than 100 content creators ahead of the grand opening for guests on Sept. 4, 2026, when Norwegian Luna is scheduled to call at the island.
Preview event and ribbon-cutting
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from John Chidsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, Herschel Walker, United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and Randy Rolle, Member of Parliament of Bimini and the Berry Islands.
Following the ceremony, invited guests including NHL star Taylor Hall of the Carolina Hurricanes and actor, author and podcast host Josh Peck toured the nearly six-acre waterpark and tried several of its signature attractions. The day included partner-hosted hospitality experiences and a Junkanoo performance celebrating Bahamian culture.
“Great Tides Waterpark represents an exciting new chapter for Great Stirrup Cay and a defining moment for Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “With our official grand opening just days away on Sept. 4, this event offered a preview of the adventure, flexibility and family fun that awaits our guests. From the 170-foot Tidal Tower and first-of-its-kind slides to the immersive Wandering River, industry-first cliff jumps and interactive splash zones, every element has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable island day for guests of all ages. Combined with the incredible experiences across Great Stirrup Cay, the destination offers families the freedom to enjoy the ultimate vacation day, where no one has to compromise and everyone gets the adventure or relaxation they want.”
Attractions and dining
Great Tides Waterpark is organised around four main areas. Tidal Tower, the 170-foot centrepiece, features eight slides including Tropic Spiral, described in the release as the first Nautilus slide in the world, and Breakwater Blasters, described by NCL as industry-first duelling Master Blaster slides in the Caribbean. Cliffside Cove offers Cliffside Leap, promoted as the industry’s first and the Caribbean’s tallest cliff jumps at 10 and 15 feet, alongside The Great Slide for four riders and The Fearless Falls drops from five feet above the water.
The Wandering River spans more than 800 feet and includes what the company calls the industry’s first immersive tunnel and a swim-up bar, Floataway Bar. Splash Cay provides over 9,000 square feet of family space with an oversized tipping bucket holding 300 gallons, eight mini-slides and interactive water features.
A culinary showcase featured samples from three new food trucks: Low Tide Smoke for barbecue, Catch of the Cay for seafood, and Tidal Treats for handcrafted ice cream and soft serve. Beverage partners Aperol, Coca-Cola, Casamigos and Hampton Water hosted activations at Grotto Bar, Floataway Bar, Splash Cay and near Tidal Tower, with specialty cocktails, tastings and photo opportunities.
Island experiences and access
Beyond the waterpark, Great Stirrup Cay offers the Great Life Lagoon pool area with two swim-up bars, private cabanas and complimentary loungers and umbrellas, plus the Splash Harbor splash pad for families. Adults-only options include the Vibe Shore Club day pass, while Silver Cove offers premium air-conditioned villas, day passes and spa treatments at Silver Cove Spa. Guests can also rent snorkel gear and paddle boards or book a zipline excursion from the Flighthouse.
Norwegian Cruise Line said travellers can visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round, with voyages sailing seasonally from homeports including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Jacksonville. Guests may purchase a pass to Great Tides Waterpark by logging into their myNCL account after completing their cruise reservation.
Source: Official announcement by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on 2 September, 2026, Miami
