Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, rebuilt with a new pier, a huge heated pool and the brand-new Great Tides Waterpark. Here’s what’s free, what costs extra and what to book early.
An island built for every pace
Great Stirrup Cay is a 270-acre island at the northern tip of the Berry Islands, and Norwegian has spent the last few years rebuilding it. There’s now a pier, a Welcome Plaza with a tram, the 28,000-square-foot heated Great Life Lagoon and, since September 2026, Great Tides Waterpark. The white-sand beaches, free loungers and complimentary food are still the heart of the day.
It’s also an extension of your ship: if your cruise includes the Free at Sea beverage package, it works across the whole island. The paid upgrades, from Silver Cove villas to waterpark cabanas, are limited, so this guide covers what’s included, what’s worth paying for and what to reserve before you sail.
Free, or worth the upgrade
There’s no fee to go ashore. Anything marked extra charge is booked with the cruise line, and prices vary by sailing; your advisor can pull yours.
| Included in your cruise | Extra cost |
|---|---|
| White-sand beaches with complimentary loungers and umbrellas | Great Tides Waterpark: day pass or waterpark cabana |
| Great Life Lagoon, a 28,000-square-foot heated pool with a beach-style entry | Silver Cove: villa rental, day pass or spa treatment |
| Splash Harbor, a kids’ splash pad with shaded seating | Vibe Shore Club: adults-only day pass or cabana |
| Jumbey Beach Grill, Tropic Like It’s Hot food truck and the hot dog cart | Cabanas on the beach and at the Great Life Lagoon |
| The self-guided Underwater Snorkel Garden, just off the beach | Flighthouse Zipline, WaveRunners and kayaks |
| The island tram, Welcome Plaza and panoramic bridge | Drinks, unless you have the Free at Sea beverage package |
Explore Great Stirrup Cay
Great Tides Waterpark
Opened in September 2026, the nearly six-acre park has four zones: the 170-foot Tidal Tower with its big slides, Cliffside Cove with 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps and a four-person family slide, the 800-foot Wandering River with a swim-up bar, and Splash Cay for younger kids. The day pass includes loungers, towels, lockers, life jackets and the tram ride over. Kids 17 and under need a ticketed adult (18+) with them, and children 0 to 3 get in free.
Great Life Lagoon
A heated, 28,000-square-foot pool by the sea with a beach-style entry, two swim-up bars and plenty of complimentary loungers. Splash Harbor, a free splash pad with shaded seating, sits just steps away, so it’s an easy base for families. Lagoon cabanas are available for an extra charge if you want shade and a home base.
Silver Cove
The island’s private retreat: air-conditioned villas for 6 to 16 guests, each with a full bathroom and a patio, plus a private beach, an infinity pool, its own restaurant and bar, and the Silver Cove Spa. Villa guests get priority arrival and departure. Access is limited, and villas can sell out well before you sail.
Vibe Shore Club
Norwegian’s adults-only Vibe beach club, brought ashore. The pass includes premium loungers and daybeds, complimentary dining and premium cocktails from a private bar, with cabanas available for an extra charge. It’s the pick for couples and friends who want a quieter, grown-up corner of the island.
Beaches & cabanas
The beaches wrap around a series of calm coves, with free loungers, lifeguards and food and bars close by. You can snorkel the complimentary sculpture garden just offshore. Cabanas on the Cay, available for an extra charge, add a private open-air hideaway with water bottles and floating mats.
Flighthouse Zipline
Three ziplines and a suspension bridge launch from the island’s lighthouse-style tower, with views over the beaches and your ship. Book it as a shore excursion with Norwegian, along with WaveRunner rides, kayaks and the off-island swim with the pigs.
Worth booking ahead
Silver Cove villas
Extra charge. The most limited upgrade on the island, and the best fit for multigenerational families and groups who want air-conditioning, a private bathroom and their own stretch of beach. Day passes and spa treatments are another way in.
Great Tides Waterpark cabanas
Extra charge. A waterpark cabana includes admission for up to six guests (ages 4 and up), towels and bar service, so it can make sense for a family that was going to buy passes anyway. Free at Sea shore excursion credits can go toward a cabana, but not toward regular admission.
Great Tides Waterpark day passes
Extra charge. Passes are limited and not guaranteed once you’re onboard. Reserve in myNCL up to two days before you sail.
Vibe Shore Club
Extra charge. The adults-only choice, with premium cocktails included. Passes and cabanas are limited.
From our founderInside Silver Cove
This is the Silver Cove Restaurant. It’s only accessible for those guests who are staying in the Silver Cove area and have taken those upgrades.
Before you go ashore
- Book as soon as you can. Waterpark passes, cabanas and Silver Cove villas are limited and first come, first served. Reserve in myNCL, or ask your advisor to do it for you. If the price drops or a sale comes along later, you can usually cancel and rebook at the lower price (Norwegian allows changes up to 48 hours before arrival without penalty). Just know your pick could sell out in between, so check that it’s still available before you cancel.
- Your drink package comes ashore. Free at Sea’s beverage package works across the whole island, including the waterpark bars. Without it, drinks are an extra charge.
- Check how you’ll arrive. The new pier serves select sailings. If your ship tenders instead, plan a little extra time to get ashore and back.
- Excursions are Norwegian only. Everything on the island, from the zipline to the swim with the pigs, is booked through Norwegian.
- Getting around. A complimentary tram runs from the Welcome Plaza around the island and to the waterpark. For accessibility needs, contact Norwegian’s Shoreside Access Desk before you sail; the waterpark has accessible walkways and a pool lift at the Wandering River.
- Traveling with mobility needs? Tell your Harr Travel advisor about your mobility needs when you book. Our accessibility specialist can request the right cabana, rentals and cruise-line support before you sail.
Plan with Harr Travel
Ready for your island day?
We’ll find the right Norwegian sailing and help you book the upgrades worth having before they sell out. There are never any booking or consultation fees.
Compare the private islands
Each cruise line runs its private island its own way. Here’s how the others compare.
