Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Tides Waterpark Makes a Splash — but the Influencer Question Is Harder to Ignore
Norwegian Cruise Line has officially entered a new era for Great Stirrup Cay, and the centerpiece is hard to miss: Great Tides Waterpark, a sprawling new attraction designed to turn an already popular private-island stop into a full-blown Caribbean water adventure. NCL held an exclusive preview event on Sept. 1, 2026, ahead of the park’s official Sept. 4 opening, bringing together Bahamian officials, travel partners, media and more than 100 content creators.
But while the slides, cliff jumps and enormous river are grabbing the headlines, another story is developing among cruise passengers: how much of the Great Tides experience should be shaped around influencers and promotional events?
Great Tides Waterpark Finally Opens at Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay is NCL’s 270-acre private island in The Bahamas, and Great Tides represents one of the biggest upgrades to the destination in years.
The new waterpark covers approximately 5.6 acres and features 19 waterslides, four distinct zones, an 800-plus-foot Wandering River and cliff-jump attractions. The centerpiece, Tidal Tower, rises about 170 feet and anchors several of the park’s most ambitious rides. For families, Splash Cay is particularly notable. The dedicated children’s area includes eight kid-friendly slides and water features, while Cliffside Cove brings a completely different flavor with 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps and the four-person Great Slide. Then there is the Wandering River, which NCL says stretches more than 800 feet and is intentionally designed to be more energetic than a traditional lazy river. Riders pass through an immersive multimedia tunnel, while the attraction also connects with a swim-up bar. In other words, this isn’t exactly a sit-back-and-do-nothing kind of river.
Norwegian Cruise Line®’s 270-acre private island destination in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, features the expansive new Great Tides Waterpark. / photo courtesy of NCL
The 9,000-square-foot Splash Cay at Great Tides Waterpark provides fun for little ones with eight mini slides and a 300-gallon tipping bucket. / photo courtesy of NCL
The opening of Great Tides Waterpark represents one of the most significant enhancements in Norwegian Cruise Line®’s ongoing investment to Great Stirrup Cay. / photo courtesy of NCL
The dynamic Wandering River at Great Tides Waterpark features an immersive tunnel for a unique experience. / photo courtesy of NCL
The 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower boasts eight thrilling slides and stands as the centerpiece of Norwegian Cruise Line®’s all-new Great Tides Waterpark. / photo courtesy of NCL
Great Tides Waterpark features the industry’s first cliff jumps at Cliffside Cove with jumps as high as 10 and 15 feet—the tallest in the Caribbean. / photo courtesy of NCL
The Numbers Behind NCL’s Big Bet
NCL isn’t simply adding another pool to Great Stirrup Cay.
The company has positioned the project as a transformation of the entire private-island experience, with Great Tides sitting alongside other amenities including the Great Life Lagoon, beaches, cabanas and additional recreation areas. In August 2026, NCL’s construction update announced that the waterpark had reached completion and had been turned over to its operations team for final testing, landscaping and guest-experience refinements.
And there was clearly a marketing strategy behind the launch.
At the September preview, more than 100 content creators attended, with an estimated combined audience of approximately 350 million people, illustrating just how much digital reach NCL is trying to generate around the new attraction. That is a huge audience, and frankly, it’s difficult for a cruise line to ignore that kind of promotional firepower.
Why Some Cruise Passengers Aren’t Happy
Here is where the shiny launch story gets a little more complicated.
A recent discussion in the NCL subreddit describes a four-night Norwegian Getaway cruise in which a passenger said influencers were present and certain areas of the ship and Great Stirrup Cay were closed for their exclusive use. Another thread complains about an influencer filming prominently in the middle of walkways. Cruisers took to the comments to express their frustration as paying guests who felt as though they had been pushed aside while creators received preferential access.
That tension is worth watching as Great Tides becomes a regular part of NCL itineraries. Influencer marketing can generate millions of impressions, but cruise passengers ultimately judge the product by what happens during their vacation.
What Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Great Tides
The first thing to understand is that Great Tides Waterpark access is not automatically included with your cruise fare.
NCL began selling day passes for eligible sailings ahead of the Sept. 4 launch, and its current information says tickets are available for sailings visiting Great Stirrup Cay from that date onward. Pricing is unclear, with social media platforms reporting entry tickets of $50 and higher.
There are also attraction-specific restrictions. NCL currently lists minimum heights ranging from 36 to 48 inches, while maximum rider weights vary substantially depending on the attraction and whether it accommodates multiple people. Guests 17 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed adult aged 18 or older.
The practical upside is that guests don’t need to lug everything from the ship. NCL says towels, complimentary lockers and life jackets are available at the waterpark, with tram service also provided.
Three Smart Items to Pack for Great Tides
If Great Tides is on your itinerary, a few inexpensive pieces of gear can make the day considerably easier.
A waterproof phone pouch keeps their most important tool—their phone—protected and always within reach. Whether they’re in the pool, on a tender boat, or wading into turquoise water for that perfect shot, this pouch keeps everything dry while allowing full touchscreen use.
This UPF50+ long-sleeve rash guard is a must-have for sunny sea days! It helps provide extra coverage against the sun to reduce exposed skin during pool time, water slides, splash zones, and surf simulators. The lightweight, quick-drying fabric keeps you comfortable as you go from the pool to the next adventure. Perfect for cruise ship activities, beach excursions, and swimming.
Dive into adventure with these Water Shoes! Designed for women and men, these lightweight aqua socks are a smart cruise companion for beach days, poolside fun, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and shore excursions. The flexible, athletic design helps provide a comfortable, barefoot-like feel while protecting your feet from hot sand, rough surfaces, and slippery areas. Easy to pack and quick to wear, they’re ideal for active travelers who want versatile footwear without adding bulk to their luggage.
Water shoes are perfect for kids who love splashing in pools, exploring beaches, or walking on slippery decks. They provide grip, protection, and comfort for all their water adventures, making every activity safe and fun.
