Norwegian Cruise Line hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Great Tides Waterpark on its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
On Sept. 2, 2026, government officials, travel partners, media, more than 100 content creators and special guests gathered for an exclusive preview of Great Tides Waterpark, ahead of the September 4 grand opening.
The company revealed the first images of the waterpark in early August.
Attending the ceremony were John Chidsey, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line; Herschel Walker, United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Randy Rolle, Member of Parliament of Bimini and the Berry Islands.
“Great Tides Waterpark represents an exciting new chapter for Great Stirrup Cay and a defining moment for Norwegian Cruise Line. With our official grand opening just days away on Sept. 4, this event offered a preview of the adventure, flexibility and family fun that awaits our guests,” said Kazlauskas.
“From the 170-foot Tidal Tower and first-of-its-kind slides to the immersive Wandering River, industry-first cliff jumps and interactive splash zones, every element has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable island day for guests of all ages. 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.”
Following the ceremony, the gates opened for invited guests, including NHL star Taylor Hall of the Carolina Hurricanes and Josh Peck, actor, bestselling author and podcast host and creator, to explore the nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark and experience many of its attractions firsthand.
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed experiences across Great Tides Waterpark, including partner-hosted hospitality experiences and opportunities to discover the island’s newest offerings.
Highlights from the preview event included:
- Signature partner activations featuring specialty cocktails, beverage tastings, branded giveaways and photo opportunities,
- A culinary showcase of Great Tides Waterpark’s newest dining venues,
- A Junkanoo performance celebrating the culture, music and spirit of The Bahamas.
As previously reported, the Great Tides Waterpark will offer one-of-a-kind experiences in four main areas: Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River and Splash Cay.
According to the cruise line, its opening represents one of the most significant enhancements in its ongoing investment in Great Stirrup Cay.
