Norwegian Cruise Line Is Building The Most Insane Private Island Playground

Think You’ve Done It All? Wait Until You See What’s Coming to Great Stirrup Cay

If you’ve ever been on a cruise and thought, “This private island is cool and all, but where’s the adrenaline?”, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) heard you loud and clear. In summer 2026, they’re cranking up the volume with an outrageous new expansion at Great Stirrup Cay, their private island in the Bahamas, that’s set to become the ultimate adult (and kid) playground.

We’re talking 19 waterslides, cliff jumps, jet-powered water karts, and even a bioluminescent grotto river. Yeah, this isn’t your average beach stop—it’s an all-out tropical amusement park, and it’s about to become the crown jewel of the Caribbean.

Welcome to “The Great Life”

Norwegian is calling the experience “The Great Life,” and it’s easy to see why. At 270 acres, Great Stirrup Cay already gave guests plenty of room to chill. But this next-level overhaul is pure excess, in the best way possible.

“Great Stirrup Cay has always been an amazing part of the Norwegian Cruise Line guest experience and continues to be one of our highest rated destinations,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “At 270 acres our private island provides us with an incredible blueprint to reinvent what guests can experience when they escape to ‘The Great Life’ with us.”

And reinvent it they did.

Make a Splash: 19 Waterslides, Cliff Jumps and a Crazy 800-Foot River

The centerpiece of this wild expansion is the Great Tides Waterpark, a six-acre beast with 19 slides and some serious industry firsts. Think:

• The 170-foot Tidal Tower with 8 massive slides, including the tallest tube drops
• Racer slides, body slides, and mat slides that’ll turn your stomach (in a good way)
• A dynamic river that’s basically a lazy river’s jacked-up older brother, complete with bioluminescent tunnel effects
• Cliffside Cove: with cliff jumps at 10 and 15 feet—the first ever for a cruise line
• A 9,000-square-foot kids’ splash zone and a hidden Grotto Bar tucked under a slide for peak island people-watching

And no, you won’t have to carry your own rafts up the stairs—some slides come with built-in conveyor belts. That’s luxury thrill-seeking.

“Whether you want to relax by the huge new heated pool – complete with multiple swim up bars, are looking forward to racing down one of the 19 waterslides with your kids at Great Tides Waterpark, or just want to enjoy the ocean breeze from one of the hammocks at Hammock Bay, Great Stirrup Cay will soon boast even more ways to escape to YOUR ‘great life’ for a memorable vacation on and off the ship,” Herrera added.

Jet Karts, Heated Pools, and an Adults-Only Vibe Zone

Outside the waterpark, Norwegian’s cooking up even more ways to let loose or chill out:

• Jet-powered aquatic racecourse: Jet karts mash up go-karts and jet skis for next-level thrills
• Great Life Lagoon: A 1.4-acre pool zone with private cabanas, DJ sets, and two swim-up bars—one for the party crowd, one for chill mode
• Splash Harbor: A free splash pad right next to the heated pool
• Horizon Park: Mini golf, pickleball, and lawn games for when you’re feeling sporty
• Hammock Bay: 50 hammocks, a dedicated bar, and maximum nap vibes
• Vibe Shore Club: An adults-only luxury section with daybeds, exclusive bars, and rentable oceanfront villas

Win Your Way There: NCL Giving Away 250 Cruises

Here’s the kicker: Norwegian wants you to experience all of this before anyone else. As part of their “Escape to the Great Life” campaign, they’re giving away 250 cruises to Great Stirrup Cay, including 4-day voyages in balcony rooms—plus all the perks of their More At Sea package (hello, open bar and Wi-Fi).

From July 29 through August 31, 2025, U.S. and Canadian residents can enter at ncl.com/great-stirrup-cay.

They’re also bringing island vibes to the city with pop-up escape hatches:

• In NYC, July 29–31: hit spots like Times Square, SoHo, and Grand Central to unlock cruise giveaways.
• In Miami, all August: swing by Wynwood, Lincoln Road, and Bayside Marketplace.

“Guests will find immersive LED graphic island visuals, they’ll be able to dance to the beat of live steel drums, snag beach ready NCL merchandise and enter to win the ‘Escape to the Great Life’ sweepstakes.”

2026 Caribbean Itineraries Are Hotter Than Ever

With 15 ships headed to the island in 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to host over 1 million guests at Great Stirrup Cay. Their newest ships, including the Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, will run seven-day routes from Miami and Orlando, hitting ports in the Dominican Republic, USVI, BVI, and beyond.

And if you’re already dreaming of that island escape, now’s the time to book: Norwegian is running “The Great Life Sale” with up to $1,500 off select Caribbean/Bahamas cruises. Plus, loyalty members get a $50 onboard credit, and the More at Sea package adds another $2,000 in value.

Bottom Line: This Isn’t a Beach Day, It’s a Full-On Island Takeover

Whether you’re chasing thrills, sipping cocktails in a private cabana, or just floating through a neon-lit river, Great Stirrup Cay is shaping up to be the ultimate escape. NCL isn’t just upping the cruise game, they’re rewriting the rules of what a private island can be.

Get ready to live “The Great Life.” Or better yet, win your way there!