Norwegian Cruise Line has formally inaugurated Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, staging a ribbon-cutting ceremony and invitation-only preview before the attraction opens to cruise passengers on 4 September 2026.
Government representatives, travel partners, media, company officials and more than 100 content creators attended the event at NCL's 270-acre private island in The Bahamas. Guests were able to test many of the park's slides, cliff jumps, children's attractions and dynamic river, as well as sample its new food and drink venues.
The public grand opening remains scheduled to take place when Norwegian Luna visits Great Stirrup Cay on 4 September, during the ship's seven-day Caribbean cruise which departed Miami on 29 August.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Great Stirrup Cay
The opening ceremony included John Chidsey, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line; Herschel Walker, United States ambassador to The Bahamas; and Randy Rolle, the member of parliament for Bimini and the Berry Islands.
A Junkanoo performance brought Bahamian music and colour to the event before the gates opened for invited guests. Attendees included professional ice hockey player Taylor Hall and actor, author and podcast host Josh Peck.
NCL president Marc Kazlauskas described Great Tides as a new chapter for Great Stirrup Cay and a defining development for the cruise line. He said the park had been designed to offer a mixture of adventure, flexibility and family entertainment.
What is inside Great Tides Waterpark?
The nearly six-acre park is organised around four principal areas and is promoted by NCL as containing 19 waterslides in total.
Tidal Tower is the park's 170-foot centrepiece. Its eight slides include Tropic Spiral, described as the world's first Nautilus slide, and Breakwater Blasters, two duelling Master Blaster water coasters which use high-pressure jets to propel riders uphill as well as through drops and turns.
Cliffside Cove includes two cliff jumps measuring 10 and 15 feet. NCL describes them as the cruise industry's first attractions of their type and the tallest cliff jumps in the Caribbean. The area also contains The Great Slide, designed to carry four people together, and Fearless Falls, which drops riders from five feet above the water.
The Wandering River extends for more than 800 feet. Unlike a conventional lazy river, it incorporates a faster current, an immersive tunnel and access to the Floataway swim-up bar.
Splash Cay provides more than 9,000 square feet of family space, with eight smaller slides, interactive water features and an oversized tipping bucket capable of releasing 300 gallons of water.
Three new food trucks
The preview also introduced three food trucks inside the waterpark. Low Tide Smoke serves barbecue dishes, Catch of the Cay specialises in seafood, and Tidal Treats offers ice cream and soft serve.
Food-truck purchases are priced separately, according to NCL's published information. The preview event additionally featured temporary hospitality areas operated by several of the cruise line's beverage partners.
Waterpark admission requires a day pass
Access to Great Tides is not included automatically with a call at Great Stirrup Cay. Passengers can purchase a waterpark day pass through their myNCL account after making a cruise reservation. Private cabanas for up to six people can also be reserved and include admission to the park.
Great Stirrup Cay continues to offer complimentary areas outside the waterpark. These include its beaches, loungers, umbrellas, Splash Harbor children's splash pad and Great Life Lagoon, a large pool area with two swim-up bars.
Additional paid options include the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, accommodation and spa treatments at Silver Cove, equipment rental and excursions.
A major private-island investment
The launch of Great Tides forms part of a broader redevelopment of Great Stirrup Cay. NCL has expanded the island's pools, family facilities, food and drink choices and premium areas as cruise lines compete to make their private destinations a central feature of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
The island receives year-round calls, including seasonal departures from New York and Philadelphia and cruises from Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville in Florida.
Sources: Norwegian Cruise Line's official inauguration announcement, NCL's official opening-date announcement and Seatrade Cruise News.