Norwegian Cruise Line is making a huge Royal Caribbean-style move
Norwegian Cruise Line may have been the first cruise line to offer a private island escape as part of its Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, but it wasn't the first to build out its private piece of paradise with resort-style amenities and attractions.
Royal Caribbean made waves in the cruise industry when it turned a basic cruise line private island experience into a 'Perfect Day' in 2019. Whether you want the thrill of a waterpark, bliss of a beachside cabana, or exclusivity of an adults-only beach club, you can find your perfect Bahamas beach day experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
And now, for even more choice in how you want to enjoy your cruise line private island escape, soon you'll be able to discover your greatest vacation day at Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay, too.In addition to enhancing the 270-acre island in late 2025 with a new multi-ship pier, a huge heated pool, and a variety of new amenities, Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding the island's offerings in a big way in 2026. With the addition of a nearly six-acre waterpark and even more experiences, vacationers will find endless ways to enjoy 'The Great Life' at Great Stirrup Cay.
To celebrate Great Stirrup Cay's great transformation, the cruise line is even giving away 250 cruises to the island for vacationers to 'Escape to the Great Life' and experience the all-new attractions next summer.Norwegian Cruise Line is adding a giant Great Stirrup Caywaterpark
Slated to open in summer 2026, Great Stirrup Cay's new Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot splash zone for kids, and the cruise industry's first cliffside jumps.
Vacationers will be able to splash down eight exhilarating waterslides from the 170-foot Tidal Tower. The waterpark will also feature additional racing slides, tube slides with large spirals and spins, and thrilling body slides. Riders won't even need to carry their own rafts up the tower to ride certain slides thanks to convenient raft conveyer belts.Cliffside Cove, another section of Great Tides Waterpark, will offer more opportunities for families to find adventure with racer slides and two different cliff jumps standing at 10 and 15 feet tall (a cruise industry first) as well as the Caribbean's only family slide, where four guests can slide down simultaneously.
Those who would rather relax and watch the action can chill in The Grotto Bar, a cave-like bar hidden under the family slide.
Great Tides Waterpark will have huge kids splash zone, dynamic river
A 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone at the center of Great Tides Waterpark will offer big splashes for little cruisers with an oversized tipping water bucket, eight mini slides, and interactive water features.
The waterpark will also feature a new take on the lazy river — an 800-foot-long dynamic river with an accelerated current with several entry points, including a wading pool with a swim-up bar nearby. The river will offer a unique immersive experience with an illuminated grotto tunnel featuring a dreamlike bioluminescent scene.
Cabanas will be conveniently located at the edge of the dynamic river and the kids splash zone.
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Great Stirrup Cay will offer jet kart excursion, Great Life Lagoon
Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions are also getting an upgrade with the addition of an all-new mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts, an experience that combines elements of go-karting and jet skiing.
Later this year, Norwegian cruise passengers visiting Great Stirrup Cay will start experiencing the first of the island's enhancements as Norwegian opens a new heated pool, splash pad, multi-ship pier, welcome plaza, and island-wide tram service.The Great Life Lagoon, the recently announced expansive 1.4-acre pool area, will offer private ocean and pool view cabanas and villas, complimentary loungers, and two swim-up bars.
Each swim-up bar will have its own ambiance, but both will serve refreshing beverages including kid-friendly drinks and adult-favorite cocktails. The Reef Bar will feature a DJ while The Waves Bar on the opposite side of the pool will be a fun spot situated alongside a beach-style entrance and a splash area for kids.
Steps away from the new pool, Splash Harbor, a 3,400-square-foot complimentary splash pad, will offer more family fun with interactive water fountains, aquatic features, and a shaded bar and lounge for parents to relax.
Great Stirrup Cay will get new recreation area, adults-only beach club
Great Stirrup Cay's enhancements also include a new complimentary recreational area, Horizon Park, featuring lawn style games, pickleball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, half a sports court, and more.
Those looking for beachside relaxation will find 'The Great Life' at Hammock Bay, featuring more than 50 hammocks and a dedicated bar conveniently located near the passenger-favorite BBQ buffet.With the purchase of a day pass, visitors can also elevate their Great Stirrup Cay beach day with greater luxury at Vibe Shore Club, a sophisticated adults-only area featuring a private bar, hanging day beds, and premium loungers and umbrellas. Villas will also be available to rent at Vibe Shore Club.
As it unveils Great Stirrup Cay's transformation, Norwegian Cruise Line expects to welcome one million guests to the island across 15 of its ships in 2026. Ships sailing to Great Stirrup Cay in 2026 include the cruise line's newest ship Norwegian Aqua, which offers a variety of seven-day Caribbean voyages from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., and Norwegian Luna, the cruise line's upcoming vessel debuting in March 2026, which will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries from April 2026 to October 2026. Norwegian Cruise Line launches limited-time Great Life sale and sweepstakes
For a limited time, Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating Great Stirrup Cay's transformation by offering up to $1,500 off all Caribbean and Bahamas sailings with 'The Great Life Sale' and giving away 250 cruises to the island.
Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec), the 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes offers vacationers the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a four-day voyage in August 2026 for two in a balcony stateroom inclusive of NCL's popular More At Sea package. The 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes runs from July 29 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Additionally, the cruise line is bringing the island life to New York City from July 29 to 31, 2025, and to Miami throughout the month of August, with 'Escape to the Great Life' consumer activations.'Escape to the Great Life' escape hatches to pop open in NYC, Miami
In New York City, Great Stirrup Cay will come to SoHo with a limited-time engagement experience. Beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a custom 'escape hatch' at 104 Grand Street, New York City, will open to the public and those who pass by will instantly be transported to the island paradise, complete with tropical sights and sounds of what awaits at Great Stirrup Cay.
The experience will feature immersive LED graphic island visuals, live steel drums, beach-ready NCL merchandise, and opportunities to enter to win the 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes. The pop-up activation is open to the public on July 29, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on July 30 and 31, 2025.To coincide with the consumer activation, the cruise line also hid seven custom 'escape hatches' across Manhattan in the popular areas of Hudson Yards, Gansevoort Plaza, 54th Street in Times Square, Broadway and Broome, Grand Central Station, State Street in the Financial District, and on the Highline Sundeck on 14th Street, providing additional opportunities for people to open the door and to enter to win one of the 250 cruise giveaways.
Throughout the month of August, three 'escape hatches' will also be hidden throughout Miami, inviting residents and visitors in Norwegian Cruise Line's hometown to open the doors to enter to win an escape to 'The Great Life' at Great Stirrup Cay. Those escape hatches will be located in Wynwood, on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, and at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
, or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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