If you’ve cruised the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Lines you’ve probably spent a day at Great Stirrup Cay, their private Island. These islands are a way for cruise lines to offer a port of call while keeping passengers nearly 100% in their ecosystem. It’s not all bad for guests though as things like meal plans and drink packages can often be used in facilities on land. These islands have some great amenities from beaches to zip lines, but in the summer of 2026 Norwegian will make a massive addition to their Island with the new Great Tides Waterpark.

Great Tides Waterpark looks quite impressive according to the press release. The park is anchored by 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, the 9,000-square-foot splash zone for kids and the industry’s first cliffside jumps. At 170-feet, the unmissable Tidal Tower will be home to eight thrilling waterslides, including two water coasters. Additional slides include racing slides as well as exciting body slides. Cliffside Cove will feature two different cliff jumps standing at 10 and 15 feet tall – a cruise industry first – as well as the Caribbean’s only four person family slide and racer slides. simultaneously. At the center of Great Tides Waterpark, a 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone will provide a water wonderland for little ones with an oversized tipping bucket towering at over 40 feet above the ground. Eight mini slides and interactive water features complete this aquatic paradise for children of all ages. The waterpark will also feature an 800 foot dynamic river, an immersive water experience with an accelerated current that will be faster and more exciting than a typical lazy river. A highlight on the river will be an illuminated grotto tunnel featuring a dreamlike bioluminescent scene for the ultimate multi-sensory experience.

I’ve had the chance to visit Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise and it was a great experience. The beach was simply beautiful and the island felt like an exclusive oasis. At the time of my visit it was merely swimming, bar, dining and zip lines, but it was still a highlight of the trip. It was also great that we could eat a meal on the island which was included with our cruise or use an unlimited drink plan at any of the bars on Great Stirrup Cay. The only negative thing I can say is that we had to use tender boats to get on and off the island, but evidently that is being remedied soon as well with the construction of a pier.

Norwegian is not the first to build a water park on its private island as Royal Carribbean has had Thrill Waterpark for years on CocoCay Island. However, Great Tides Waterpark appears to be bigger than Thrill Waterpark with 19 slides versus 14 slides and will also include an 800-foot-long “dynamic river” attraction. Royal Caribbean treats the water park as an upcharge amenity and the prices are variable based upon the season and even the boat on which you’re sailing. Prices are reported to average around $100 per person, but some have paid as much as $161. This has been one of the chief complaints against Thrill Waterpark as “not being worth the money”. There’s no word yet on Norwegian’s expected pricing for Great Tides Waterpark other than it will almost certainly be an additional charge. Great Stirrup Cay and CocoCay Islands are actually quite close to each other and we sailed right by CocoCay on our Norwegian cruise. I have to admit I had a tinge of jealousy when I saw the water park structure (even though I had a GREAT day on Stirrup Cay), so I’m happy Norwegian is getting one too.

If $161 for a water park is a bit extreme for your budget there are other ways to get a water park experience on a cruise. If you’re in the Bahamas there is the Aquaventure water park at Atlantis, which is beautiful, but not any cheaper at around $200/person for a day pass. Your cruise ship itself may have several great slides as was the case on our trip on the Norwegian Getaway. Not only did it have several flumes, but it also had two “looping” drop slides. These rides were on the shorter side as you’d expect given the small space on a cruise ship, but they still had great intensity and provided some great views from the top of the ship. There are also ships with even more extravagant water slides and even water slide roller coaster hybrids.

If you’re headed on a cruise and are a theme park and water park fan then Great Tides Waterpark could be a great addition to your trip. It’s probably reasonable to expect pricing to be similar to Royal Caribbean, so it may be best to visit in the off season on an older ship if the water park is one of your main draws. It looks like it could have some exciting and unique features, especially if the “dynamic river” is similar to the amazing Roa’s Rapids at Aquatica. If you’re on vacation it may be worth splurging a little to experience a park that you can only experience as part of a much more expensive cruise.