NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF ITS ALL-NEW GREAT TIDES WATERPARK ON ITS PRIVATE ISLAND, GREAT STIRRUP CAY, WITH AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW EVENT
Norwegian Cruise Line debuts the Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, expanding attractions ahead of the Sept. 4, 2026 grand opening for guests.
Rhea-AI Summary
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) has opened its nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark on its 270-acre private island, Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas, marked by an exclusive preview event for officials, partners, media and content creators on Sept. 2, 2026.
The company will hold the official grand opening on Sept. 4, 2026, coinciding with a call from Norwegian Luna. Great Tides Waterpark features the 170-foot Tidal Tower with eight slides including the first Nautilus slide Tropic Spiral and dueling Master Blaster slides, Cliffside Cove with 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps and family slides, the 800-foot Wandering River with an immersive tunnel and swim-up bar, and Splash Cay with over 9,000 square feet of family splash zones.
The opening is part of an ongoing investment in Great Stirrup Cay, which also offers new lagoon and pool areas, adult-only clubs, villas, excursions and year-round Caribbean access from several U.S. homeports.
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 27 | Ship construction milestone | Positive | -2.5% | New ship construction milestone preceded debut scheduled for August 2027 |
| Aug 26 | Enrichment program expansion | Positive | -1.1% | Fleetwide enrichment program announced for select 2027 sailings with expert speakers and activities |
| Aug 19 | Ship experience unveiling | Positive | -1.5% | New wellness, dining and entertainment features announced ahead of 2027 debut |
| Aug 13 | Long-voyage promotion | Positive | +3.4% | Longer voyages promoted with 180-day around-the-world itineraries and new ship plans |
| Aug 06 | Enrichment series launch | Positive | -4.6% | New enrichment series announced with named speakers and scheduled 2027 sailings |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent positive company announcements more often coincided with negative 24-hour price reactions than positive ones.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
– NCL Ushers in a New Era for Its Private Island with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Featuring Bahamian Officials, Followed by an Exclusive Preview of the Waterpark's New Attractions and Culinary Offerings –
– The Official Grand Opening for Guests will Take Place on Sept. 4, 2026, When Norwegian Luna™ Calls to NCL's Private Island –
– Images and b-roll available here –
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/norwegian_cruise_line/9361353-en-norwegian-cruise-line-great-tides-waterpark-on-great-stirrup-cay-preview-event
Ahead of its Sept. 4, 2026 grand opening, the exclusive event gave attendees a first look at the destination's newest landmark, including thrilling attractions, new culinary offerings and special activations from NCL's beverage partners – Aperol®, Coca-Cola®, Casamigos™ and Hampton Water®.
"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."
Beginning with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, invitees heard from John Chidsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line; Herschel Walker,
Following the ceremony, the gates opened for invited guests, including NHL star Taylor Hall of the Carolina Hurricanes and Josh Peck, multi-talented actor, bestselling author and podcast host and creator, to explore the nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark and experience many of its signature, and industry-first, attractions firsthand. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed a variety of curated experiences across Great Tides Waterpark, including partner-hosted hospitality experiences and opportunities to discover the island's newest offerings.
Highlights from the preview event included:
- Signature partner activations featuring specialty cocktails, beverage tastings, branded giveaways and photo opportunities from Aperol at the Grotto Bar, Casamigos at Floataway Bar along the Wandering River, Coca-Cola by Splash Cay and Hampton Water near Tidal Tower. These experiences will also be available to guests during the official grand opening celebration on Sept. 4, 2026.
- A culinary showcase of Great Tides Waterpark's newest dining venues featured samples from three new food trucks: barbecue at Low Tide Smoke, seafood favorites at Catch of the Cay and handcrafted ice cream and soft serve at Tidal Treats.
- A vibrant Junkanoo performance celebrated the culture, music and spirit of The
Bahamas , bringing colorful energy to the day's festivities.
At Great Tides Waterpark, one-of-a-kind experiences are available throughout four main areas:
- Tidal Tower, the iconic centerpiece standing at 170 feet tall, featuring eight exhilarating slides including the Tropic Spiral – the first Nautilus slide in the world with large spirals that spin guests into thrilling different directions; the Breakwater Blasters, the industry-first dueling Master Blaster slides in the
Caribbean which propel inner-tubes uphill and through steep drops and twists with high-pressure water jets, and many more. - Cliffside Cove, featuring Cliffside Leap, the industry's first-ever, and the
Caribbean's tallest cliff jumps, at 10 and 15 feet high; The Great Slide, theCaribbean's only family slide where four guests can slide down together for an adrenaline rush; and The Fearless Falls slides dropping riders down from five feet above the water. - Wandering River, a dynamic river over 800 feet long, features the industry's first immersive tunnel and swim-up bar, Floataway Bar, alongside the river.
- Splash Cay, offering over 9,000 square feet of family fun with an oversized tipping bucket holding 300 gallons of water, eight mini-slides and interactive water features.
The opening of Great Tides Waterpark represents one of the most significant enhancements in Norwegian Cruise Line's ongoing investment in Great Stirrup Cay. With the recent additions, the new waterpark expands the breadth of experiences available to guests while further strengthening Great Stirrup Cay's position as a leading private island destination in the
Apart from the new waterpark attraction, the grand 270-acre Great Stirrup Cay offers a breadth of amenities for families, couples, solo travelers and everyone in between for their dream island day. The new Great Life Lagoon, an expansive pool area, offers two swim-up bars, private cabanas and an abundance of complimentary loungers and umbrellas, while Splash Harbor provides families with a fun and complimentary splash pad just steps away from the pool and nearby refreshments. Guests searching for elevated experiences can choose to purchase a day pass for the adults-only Vibe Shore Club featuring premium loungers, cabanas and a dedicated bar; or they can opt to enjoy the great life at Silver Cove by renting a premium air-conditioned villa, booking a day pass or reserving a spa treatment at the Silver Cove Spa. The spacious island invites guests to create their ideal day in paradise, whether relaxing on pristine white-sand beaches with complimentary loungers, diving into adventure with snorkeling gear and paddle boards available to rent, or booking an excursion to zipline from the island's iconic Flighthouse.
Travelers can visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round, with voyages sailing seasonally from convenient homeports including
Guests may purchase a pass to Great Tides Waterpark by logging into their myNCL account after completing their cruise reservation.
For images and b-roll of Great Stirrup Cay, click here.
For more information about the Company's award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line® has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 59 years. Its tagline, "It's Different Out Here™" reflects the emotional connection guests experience aboard and pays tribute to the company's history of pioneering the cruise experience. Most notably, NCL revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company continues to deliver curated, effortless experiences that cater to every type of traveler – from seasoned cruisers to families of every size. With award-winning entertainment, globally inspired dining and thoughtfully designed accommodations, including solo staterooms, Club Balcony Suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company's exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, NCL ensures every guest enjoys a seamless and personalized journey that allows them to enjoy the moment and connect with those who matter most. To further deliver guests with more value, the company's signature Free at Sea™ package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar; specialty dining credits; high-speed Wi-Fi; shore excursions credits; and with select sailings guests can enjoy free airfare as well as third and fourth guests sail free (terms and conditions apply). NCL guests sailing to the Caribbean can also enjoy exclusive experiences at Harvest Caye, the company's resort destination in Belize, along with new and enhanced experiences at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's expanded private island in the Bahamas. NCL sails to nearly 350 of the world's most desirable destinations with its fleet of 21 contemporary ships.
For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.
Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
View original content:SOURCE Norwegian Cruise Line
FAQ
What did Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) announce about Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay?
Norwegian Cruise Line announced the opening of its new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas. The nearly six-acre attraction adds multiple slides, a wandering river and family splash areas as part of an expanded lineup of experiences on the 270-acre private island.
When is the official grand opening of Great Tides Waterpark for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) guests?
The official grand opening of Great Tides Waterpark for guests will take place on Sept. 4, 2026. This date coincides with a scheduled call by Norwegian Luna to Great Stirrup Cay, when the new attractions will open for regular cruise visitors.
What are the main attractions at the Great Tides Waterpark for NCLH passengers?
Great Tides Waterpark includes four main areas: the 170-foot Tidal Tower with eight slides; Cliffside Cove with 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps and a family slide; the 800-foot Wandering River with an immersive tunnel and swim-up Floataway Bar; and Splash Cay with over 9,000 square feet of splash features.
How can Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) guests access Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay?
Guests can access Great Tides Waterpark by purchasing a pass. Passes are available for purchase by logging into a guest’s myNCL account after completing a cruise reservation that includes a call at Great Stirrup Cay.
What unique or industry-first features does the Great Tides Waterpark offer NCLH guests?
The waterpark offers several industry-firsts, including the Tropic Spiral, the world’s first Nautilus slide with large spirals, Breakwater Blasters, the Caribbean’s first dueling Master Blaster slides, the region’s tallest cliff jumps at Cliffside Leap, and the Caribbean’s only family slide where four guests ride together.
What other amenities are available on Great Stirrup Cay alongside Great Tides Waterpark for NCLH cruises?
Beyond Great Tides Waterpark, Great Stirrup Cay offers the Great Life Lagoon pool area with two swim-up bars and cabanas, the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, premium Silver Cove villas and spa, complimentary beaches and loungers, Splash Harbor splash pad, water sports rentals and zipline excursions.
From which homeports can travelers sail to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay and Great Tides Waterpark?
Travelers can visit Great Stirrup Cay, and potentially Great Tides Waterpark, on itineraries sailing seasonally from several U.S. homeports, including New York, Philadelphia, and Florida ports in Miami, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Jacksonville.