Norwegian Cruise Line hosted government officials, tourism industry partners, media, more than 100 content creators and special guests at an exclusive preview of Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, the company's 270-acre private island destination in the Bahamas.
Ahead of its grand opening on September 4, 2026, the exclusive event allowed attendees to experience the destination's major new attraction for the first time, including its exciting rides, 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 landmark moment for Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “With our grand opening just days away on September 4, this event offered a preview of the adventure, flexibility, and family-friendly fun that awaits our guests. From the 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower and its pioneering water slides to the immersive Wandering River, industry-first cliff jumps, and interactive water play areas, every element has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable day on the island for guests of all ages. Combined with the incredible experiences available on Great Stirrup Cay, the destination offers families the freedom to enjoy the ultimate vacation day, where no one has to compromise and everyone can indulge in the adventure or relaxation they desire.”.
The event began with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, during which guests listened to speeches by John Chidsey, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line; Herschel Walker, U.S. ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and Randy Rolle, Member of Parliament for Bimini and the Berry Islands.
Following the ceremony, the gates opened to guests, including NHL star Taylor Hall of the Carolina Hurricanes and Josh Peck, the multifaceted actor, bestselling author, and podcast host and creator. They were able to explore the nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark and experience many of its iconic and industry-first attractions firsthand. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed a variety of curated experiences at Great Tides Waterpark, including partner-hosted hospitality experiences and opportunities to discover new offerings on the island.
Highlights of the preview event included:
- Iconic partner activations, featuring specialty cocktails, beverage tastings, branded giveaways, and photo opportunities, will include Aperol at the Grotto Bar, Casamigos at the Floataway Barby the Wandering River, Coca-Cola by Splash Cay , and Hampton Water near the Tidal Tower. These experiences will also be available to passengers during the official grand opening celebration on September 4, 2026.
- A gastronomic showcase of the new restaurants at Great Tides Waterpark, which offered tastings from three new food trucks: barbecue at Low Tide Smoke, seafood specialties at Catch of the Cay , and artisanal ice cream and soft serve ice cream at Tidal Treats.
- A vibrant performance by Junkanoo celebrated the culture, music and spirit of the Bahamas, bringing a colorful energy to the day's celebrations.
At Great Tides Waterpark, the unique experiences are spread across four main areas:
- Tidal Tower, the park's iconic centerpiece, stands 170 feet tall and features eight thrilling water slides, including Tropic Spiral, the world's first Nautilus slide with large spirals that spin riders in different and exciting directions; Breakwater Blasters, the industry's first facing Master Blaster slides in the Caribbean, which propel floats uphill and through steep drops and twists using high-pressure water jets; and many more.
- Cliffside Cove, which features Cliffside Leap, the first cliff jumps in the area and the tallest in the Caribbean, with heights of 10 and 15 feet; The Great Slide, the only family slide in the Caribbean where four passengers can slide together for an adrenaline rush; and The Fearless Falls, which send passengers plummeting from five feet above the water.
- Wandering River, a dynamic river over 800 feet long, featuring the industry's first immersive tunnel and an underwater bar, Floataway Bar, located next to the river.
- Splash Cay, which offers more than 9,000 square feet of family fun, with a huge tilting bucket that holds 300 gallons of water, eight mini slides and interactive water features.
The opening of Great Tides Waterpark represents one of the most significant enhancements within Norwegian Cruise Line's ongoing investment in Great Stirrup Cay. With these recent additions, the new waterpark expands the variety of experiences available to guests and further solidifies Great Stirrup Cay's position as a leading private island destination in the Caribbean.
In addition to the new water park attraction, the expansive 270-acre Great Stirrup Cay offers a wide variety of amenities for families, couples, solo travelers, and all types of visitors seeking their dream day on a paradise island. The new Great Life Lagoon, a large pool area, features two swim-up bars, private cabanas, and plenty of complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas, while Splash Harbor provides families with a fun, free water play area just steps from the pool and nearby dining options.
Passengers seeking more exclusive experiences can opt to purchase a day pass to the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, which features premium sun loungers, cabanas, and a private bar; or indulge in the good life at Silver Cove by renting a premium air-conditioned villa, booking a day pass, or booking a treatment at the Silver Cove Spa.
The expansive island invites passengers to create their ideal day in paradise, whether it's relaxing on its pristine white-sand beaches with free sun loungers, diving into adventure with snorkeling equipment and paddleboards available for hire, or booking an excursion to zip line from the island's iconic Flighthouse.
Travelers can visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round, with cruises operating seasonally from convenient homeports, including New York and Philadelphia, as well as Florida ports of Miami, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Jacksonville.
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