Norwegian Cruise Line is opening a six-acre waterpark located on a private island in the Bahamas that features 170-foot slide towers and simulated cliff jumps.
Norwegian will open the Great Tides Waterpark on the cruise line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
The company held a preview event on Tuesday to welcome a select few to the private island, which has been a restricted destination for the cruise line’s passengers since 1977.
Great Tides Waterpark features eight distinct water slides, including dueling water coasters that utilize high-pressure water jets to blast inner-tubes uphill, and a slide that spins riders in changing directions that is described as the “first Nautilus slide in the world.” The water slides are located within a 170-foot structure called Tidal Tower, which serves as the central landmark of the new park.
A secondary zone named Cliffside Cove offers “industry first” cliff jumps at heights of 10 and 15 feet above the water level, alongside a five-foot drop slide and a multi-person family slide.
Promotional materials also boast an 800-foot lazy river featuring a built-in tunnel and a swim-up drink bar.
A 9,000 square feet family-friendly area includes a 300-gallon dump bucket and eight mini-slides.
The private island also features a large pool lagoon, private cabanas, food truck concessions and an adults-only beach area that requires its own separate day pass fee. Passengers can also pay additional fees for air-conditioned villas, spa services, zip-line runs and snorkeling equipment rentals.
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A newly built pier on the island allows for Norwegian cruise ships to dock directly at the island instead of using smaller boats to shuttle passengers.
Norwegian officials said the investment into Great Stirrup Cay, which is reported to be around $350 million, is being done in response to changing consumer demands, which have shifted toward private, resort-style amenities.
“Great Tides Waterpark represents an exciting new chapter for Great Stirrup Cay and a defining moment for Norwegian Cruise Line,” Norwegian Cruise Line President Marc Kazlauskas said in a press release. “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.”
Kazlauskas added that “every element has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable island day for guests of all ages.”
Norwegian Cruise Line and others are shifting focus to private islands
There’s an industry-wide shift in the Caribbean cruise market in which companies are investing heavily in private islands to offer exclusive resorts or dedicated amusement parks as travelers start spending more time away from the traditional ports of call.
In the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean owns Perfect Day at CocoCay, MSC Cruises owns and operates Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Disney Cruise Line owns Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Carnival owns Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. In addition to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, Norwegian also owns Harvest Caye in Belize.
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Norwegian’s 270-acre Bahamian island is located in the Berry Islands Chain and has been an exclusive and restricted destination for nearly 50 years.
The island will still remain exclusive in its own way. Customers sailing on the cruise line will not automatically receive entrance to the waterpark and will instead have to purchase an extra pass in addition to their standard cruise fare.
Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting included guests from film, television, sports and politics—as well as, you guessed it, social media content creators.
The cruise line plans to officially open the waterpark on Friday when the Norwegian Luna docks at the island.
Norwegian operates 21 ships across the globe, including year-round departures from the U.S. out of Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York and Philadelphia.
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