Norwegian Cruise Line is turning up the heat on winter escapes with a major expansion at Great Stirrup Cay, its 270‑acre private island in The Bahamas. The newly opened Great Life Lagoon, a 1.4‑acre heated pool complex with fresh cabanas, an adults‑only Vibe Shore Club and a kids’ Splash Harbor, marks the first phase of a multi‑year transformation that will welcome more than 1 million guests across 17 NCL ships in 2026.
Great Life Lagoon: A 1.4‑Acre Centerpiece
At the heart of the revamped Great Stirrup Cay is Great Life Lagoon, a resort‑style pool area designed for both families and adults. Larger than two Olympic‑sized pools combined, the heated lagoon features a beach‑style, zero‑entry design that gently slopes into the water, leading to a splash zone with interactive water features for younger cruisers. Adults can swim up to two pool bars for tropical cocktails, while surrounding loungers, daybeds and private cabanas frame sweeping views of the pool and ocean.
New Vibe Shore Club and Splash Harbor
For travellers seeking a more exclusive vibe, the new Vibe Shore Club offers an adults‑only retreat with its own bar, upgraded loungers and private cabanas available with all‑day passes. Just steps away, Splash Harbor provides a complimentary splash pad experience for kids, complete with sprays, fountains and shallow play areas that keep families close to the main pool action. Additional enhancements such as a new Welcome Center and an island tram system make it easier to navigate from ship to shore and around the expanded resort.
“Escape to the Great Life” This Winter
According to Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the goal of the island refresh is to help guests “trade the winter weather for the warm tropics and enjoy an ‘Escape to the Great Life.’” With flexible spaces like Great Life Lagoon and family‑friendly zones such as Splash Harbor, the island is designed so every guest can relax, play and create lasting memories at their own pace. The upgrades also underscore NCL’s focus on premium experiences and service, giving travellers more choice in how they spend their private‑island day.
Great Tides Waterpark Coming in 2026
The transformation of Great Stirrup Cay will continue in summer 2026 with the debut of Great Tides Waterpark, set to become one of the Caribbean’s most ambitious private‑island waterparks. The nearly six‑acre complex will feature 19 waterslides, including the towering Tidal Tower with eight high‑intensity slides, racing slides, twisting tube slides and body slides for serious thrill‑seekers. Guests can also look forward to a nearly 800‑foot dynamic river, a 9,000‑square‑foot children’s splash zone and Cliffside Cove, which will introduce the industry’s first cliff jumps and racer slides on a cruise line private island.
More Ships, More Ways to Visit Great Stirrup Cay
With all these enhancements, Norwegian Cruise Line is gearing up to host more than one million guests at Great Stirrup Cay in 2026 aboard 17 different ships. The lineup includes new vessels such as Norwegian Aqua, sailing seven‑day Caribbean itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral through October 2027, and Norwegian Luna, which debuts in March 2026 with Caribbean voyages featuring calls to Great Stirrup Cay. From weekend Bahamas getaways to longer Caribbean cruises, NCL guests will have more opportunities than ever to experience the island’s upgraded pools, cabanas and upcoming waterpark thrills.
