Norwegian Cruise Line is investing $150 million in upgrading its private island in the Bahamas, building a cruise ship pier, a large swimming pool, and most importantly, a huge water park that will put the competition to shame.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 77 – June 2026
We were able to visit Great Stirrup Cay during the Norwegian Luna's inaugural cruise, docking at the new cruise pier, which, although not finished, was operating on a provisional basis.
The cruise ship dock will be able to accommodate two ships at the same time when it is completed this summer, and this is just the first of the significant changes that Norwegian Cruise Line is developing at Great Stirrup Cay.
To begin with, the pier has been built in a previously unused area of the island, so the way people travel on the island has completely changed. Before, passengers were disembarked by tenders that docked in a small basin just a few meters from the main beach; now they are dropped off a couple of hundred meters away.
This has required the construction, first, of a welcome center, which takes the form of a huge wooden pergola that creates a public square, and second, the implementation of a shuttle service from the new welcome center to various beach areas.
The other big new feature is the opening last March of a huge swimming pool, along with a water play area for children and a new adults-only beach. But let's take a closer look.
Great Life Lagoon:
The new pool area at Great Stirrup Cay is located between the cruise ship pier and the beach. The pool is a generous 2,600 square meters and features two swim-up bars, as well as two more above water. There's also a DJ booth next to one of the bars to liven up the area.
On one side, the pool has two beach-style entrances, one with water jets for children to play in. There are also sun loungers partially submerged in the water. In addition to hundreds of free-to-use sun loungers around the pool, there are dozens of cabanas of various styles and sizes available for rent.
Vibe Shore Club
This new adults-only beach is located after the main beach, accessible by foot or shuttle, and costs around $90 per person.
Vibe Shore Club features comfortable cushioned sun loungers on the sand, and its own buffet and bar. At the far end of the beach, beyond a path, there are also cabanas for rent.
It may seem like a small improvement over the free main beach, but in the summer months, when the children are on vacation and the island receives two ships at the same time, the tranquility will be the great added value of Vibe Shore Club.
Silver Cove
Silver Cove is Great Stirrup Cay's other exclusive beach. Opened in 2019, it's not a new addition to the island's recent development, but it's still worth mentioning. It's a crescent-shaped beach, very secluded and idyllic, bordered by a path lined with rental cabins—though calling them cabins is a bit of an understatement. They're more like small lofts or villas, with all the comforts of an air-conditioned living room in the Caribbean, and the larger ones even have a bedroom.
Renting a cabana is the only way to access Silver Cove, which also features an exclusive Mandara Spa, a buffet restaurant, and a Moët & Chandon-themed bar. There's also a photogenic pool at the end of the beach, perched on the coastal rocks, seemingly merging with the ocean.
Great Tides Waterpark
Still under construction when we visited the island, this great water park will open its doors on September 4th with facilities that promise to raise the bar for the industry.
There will be 19 water slides, a 244-meter river to float along, another 836 m2 children's water play area, and artificial cliffs from which it will be allowed to jump into the water in one of the pools.
The Tidal Tower will dominate the area at 52 meters tall, from which eight water slides will launch, including the two tallest. It will feature racing slides where visitors can reach the finish line at top speed on an inflatable tube, tube slides with large spirals and twists that launch visitors in different directions, as well as thrilling body slides. To make the experience even easier, some slides will include convenient conveyor belts to haul floats to the top of the tower, eliminating the tedious task of carrying them up by hand.
The Cliffside Cove pool will feature a straight slide for multiple people to race side-by-side, two cliff jumps from 3 and 4.5 meters high – a first in the cruise industry – and the Caribbean's only family slide, which can accommodate four people at once. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, the Grotto Bar, tucked away in a cave beneath the family slide, offers the perfect spot to watch the world go by with a cocktail in hand.
At the heart of Great Tides Waterpark, an 836-square-meter children's splash zone will offer a water paradise for little ones, featuring a giant tipping bucket that rises more than 12 meters above the ground. Eight mini slides and interactive water attractions complete this aquatic haven for children of all ages.
The water park will also feature a dynamic river, an immersive aquatic experience with a fast-moving current that will be faster and more exciting than a typical lazy river. Nearly 244 meters long, the river will be accessible from several points, including the children's pool with a convenient nearby bar. One of the river's highlights will be the illuminated grotto tunnel, featuring a dreamy bioluminescent scene for the ultimate multi-sensory experience. Conveniently located cabanas will be situated along the dynamic river and the children's splash area, providing access to the most popular family areas.
Great Stirrup Cay, a big bet for NCL
If there is one image that defines Great Stirrup Cay it is its iconic lighthouse, turned into the heart of the island and starting point of several zip lines that fly over the beaches and offer some of the best views of the cay.
The large main beach, with free access for all passengers, is equipped with hundreds of sun loungers spread among areas of white sand and palm trees, as well as several gastronomic spaces included in the price of the cruise and themed bars spread throughout the island.
Beyond relaxation, Great Stirrup Cay also offers a wide variety of water activities, from kayaking and paddleboarding to jet ski excursions to explore the turquoise waters of the Bahamas. And, of course, one of the destination's most popular experiences is available: the piglet swimming excursion, an activity that continues to pique the curiosity of many travelers and became a viral phenomenon on social media several years ago.
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