Norwegian Cruise Line has set September 4, 2026, as the grand opening date for Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, giving cruise passengers a new reason to spend their island day in the Bahamas.
The nearly six-acre waterpark will officially open during Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean sailing from Miami. NCL also announced that guests booked on sailings visiting Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4 will be able to purchase advance day passes and reserve private cabanas for up to six people.
For cruisers planning a future NCL sailing, the waterpark adds another major attraction to an island that has already received several upgrades. The experience combines high-speed slides and water coasters with family areas, a large kids’ zone, a winding river, dining options and spaces designed for relaxing.
What to Expect at Great Tides Waterpark
The centerpiece of Great Tides Waterpark will be the 170-foot Tidal Tower, which houses several of the park’s biggest attractions. Across the waterpark, guests will find 19 slides designed for a range of ages and adventure levels.
- Breakwater Blasters feature water coasters with downhill drops and uphill blasts while riders are inside an inner tube.
- Whitewater Dash includes two body slides.
- Rapid Mat Racers offers two mat slides for head-to-head racing.
- Tropic Storm and Tropic Spiral are tube slides built around spirals and spins.
- Cliffside Cove features what NCL describes as the industry’s first and highest cliff jumps.
- The Great Slide is billed as the Caribbean’s only four-person body slide.
- Fearless Falls adds racing slides to the attraction lineup.
The variety means Great Tides Waterpark is not built around just one headline slide. Families can spread out across different attractions, while thrill-seekers have several options centered around the Tidal Tower and Cliffside Cove.
There Is More Than the Slides
NCL is also positioning Great Tides Waterpark as a full-day experience rather than simply a collection of slides. Younger visitors will have Splash Cay, a 9,000-square-foot kids’ zone designed for water play.
The Wandering River stretches for more than 800 feet and gives guests a more relaxed way to experience the park. For adults looking for a break from the action, the Grotto Bar is tucked beneath the waterpark for views of the activity above.
Food is another addition. Three new food trucks will serve dining options within the waterpark, giving guests additional choices without having to leave the attraction.
Great Stirrup Cay Has More Ways to Spend the Day
Great Tides Waterpark is part of a larger transformation of Great Stirrup Cay. The island’s Great Life Lagoon includes a beach-style entry pool, swim-up bars and space to relax while taking in ocean views.
Guests can also visit the adults-only Vibe Shore Club or choose family-friendly areas such as Splash Harbor. NCL has added a new tram system to make getting around the island easier.
That gives cruisers a choice when they arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. A waterpark day can be built around the slides and attractions, while travelers who prefer a slower pace can spend their time at the lagoon, beach and other island areas.
How to Visit Great Tides Waterpark
Day passes are available for guests sailing to Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4, 2026. Passes can be purchased through a guest’s myNCL account after completing a cruise reservation.
Private cabanas are also available for groups of up to six guests. The cabana reservation includes waterpark admission and provides shaded space near the Tidal Tower.
NCL notes that ticket prices and availability vary by season and availability. The cruise line also directs guests to its website for additional information about pricing and age requirements.
Cruises Featuring Great Tides Waterpark
Great Stirrup Cay is visited by NCL ships sailing from several convenient homeports, including New York, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando’s Port Canaveral and Miami.
Travelers specifically interested in experiencing the waterpark during its opening can sail aboard Norwegian Luna’s seven-day Caribbean itinerary departing Miami on August 29, 2026. According to NCL, Norwegian Luna offers itineraries through November 2026 that visit Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay.
For travelers who prefer a shorter cruise, Norwegian Getaway offers three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from Miami through October 2026.
With Great Tides Waterpark joining the growing list of attractions at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL guests now have another way to customize their private-island day. Whether the goal is racing down a slide, letting the kids explore Splash Cay or simply mixing waterpark time with the island’s more relaxed areas, the new attraction gives cruisers another reason to plan ahead before arriving in the Bahamas.
Source: Norwegian Cruise Line
Join the Conversation
Have a thought about this cruise news? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or cruise experience below.
