I was fortunate to be invited by Norwegian Cruise Line to sail on Norwegian Getaway with my wife and son to the media event for the new Great Tides Waterpark on August 2nd. These are all my own opinions and thoughts.
It’s the largest enhancement Norwegian Cruise Line has ever added to Great Stirrup Cay, which is the cruise line’s own private island in the Bahamas. After 15 months of planning and construction, which was confirmed by the park’s engineers, it completely changes what a day on the island feels like.
Anyone who wishes to use the waterpark entry must purchase a paid day pass, starting at $99.99 per person, or a child age 4+, added on top of your cruise fare. In my opinion, it’s worth the entrance fee for a day of fun and memories.
Arriving at Great Stirrup Cay
A major upgrade is the new concrete pier, built alongside the park, which lets ships dock directly instead of relying on tender boats. This alone makes the arrival experience smoother, quicker, and far more accessible.
Read Also: I Visited Great Stirrup Cay Mid-Makeover and Here’s My Honest Take
Once off the ship, five-car carriage trains run every 5 minutes from the island entrance and take about 10 minutes to reach the waterpark. The journey is easy and gives you time to enjoy the island’s beautiful plantation‑style greenery as you pass through newly landscaped areas.
Entering the Park
Once inside, the party atmosphere continues throughout the park. We had music, laughter, vibes, and the sound of rushing water filling every corner.
I admit that the slide towers looked impressive from the very moment we walked in. It felt modern, was much larger than I expected, and was thoughtfully designed.
Tidal Tower, standing at roughly 170 feet, is absolutely impossible to miss. It rises high above the whole park and gives it that proper waterpark feel.
Alongside Breakwater Blasters, these inner tube water coasters don’t just drop you; they blast you uphill again.
From my point of view, this is where the serious thrill-seekers head first, and one that I stayed away from but watched from afar. I’m not a fan of heights or fast rides, so I happily stepped aside and became a spectator on that front.
Cliffside Cove
Cliffside Cove was one of the most surprising parts of the whole park. It’s actually built into the rock, and watching people leap off the 10- and 15-foot platforms into the water added a real sense of excitement to the proceedings.
My son had a great time making his way back and forth to the 10-foot platform and leaping into the beautiful warm water beneath. However, the 15-foot was a bridge too far.
The Great Slide alongside Cliffside Cove is a four-person slide, and it’s perfect for families and groups who want to ride together. We did use this on more than a few occasions, and it was not only a great slide; it was also great fun.
The path leading up to the slide was hot under the midday sun, so caution is advised here. My son loved the idea of racing me down the Great Slide to see who would hit the water first. In his own words, “I love to see us go underwater together.”
Slide Count & Layout
Overall, the whole layout of the park was easy to navigate. Great Tides features 19 slides in total. Tidal Tower alone has eight slides, ranging from drop slides to mat racers and tube slides.
Cliffside Cove adds three more, including the Great Slide. Splash Cay, the kids’ zone, has eight mini slides designed specifically for younger guests.
One thing that really stood out is how much water pressure the slides use. A huge amount of water pumps through them, making every ride feel faster, zippier, and far more thrilling than you’d expect from a cruise line waterpark.
What I really liked was how easy it was to move between slides and zones. The park has been purposely segregated by plant life, giving each area a sense of privacy and making every zone feel like its own little adventure.
The pathways are wide, clearly marked, and shaded in places, so even moving from the biggest slides to the quieter areas feels effortless.
Kids’ Zone: Splash Cay
My 12-year-old son was in his absolute element. Watching him enjoy every part of the park made the whole experience even better. He would move from the bigger slides to the smaller ones at every opportunity he had.
And what stood out to me was how well-designed the kids’ attractions were. Despite being designed for children, every age group used this zone, from toddlers to adults alike, including me and other parents.
Splash Cay is the dedicated kids’ zone, and as a parent, I think it’s one of the park’s strongest features.
The smaller slides weren’t just an afterthought; they were fun, fast, and varied enough to keep him, me, and my wife entertained for hours.
It’s rare for a waterpark to get the kids’ zone this right, but they absolutely did. There were hardly any queues, so you could go back on the same slide again and again if you wished.
Another bonus of this fantastic zone is the giant tipping bucket at the top of the structure, which gradually fills with water and tips over, dumping a large amount onto the play structure and the guests below. My son spent most of his time at this point, waiting for the downpour.
Wandering River
My personal favorite ride and my son’s in the whole park was the Wandering River. It wasn’t your typical lazy river you would enjoy in other venues.
It moved faster than I expected, with a higher‑energy current, and the immersive multimedia tunnel was the highlight, with glowing lights, color shifts, and a cool change in atmosphere as you floated by.
The river itself is around 800 feet long, making it a proper attraction rather than just a place to drift.
The swim‑up bar was a great surprise too, meaning you could take a break without even leaving the water. The packages were included in the cost, meaning you could relax and not worry about how much you spent on drinks. What more could you possibly ask for? It’s a relaxing spot, but still lively enough to feel like you’re part of the adventure.
How Long You Need in the Park
If you want to experience everything, such as the major slides, cliff jumps, Wandering River, and Splash Cay, then you realistically need around 3.5 to 4.5 hours. This is just my personal opinion and observation, not borrowed figures.
If you’re selective and just want the headline attractions, then I believe you can comfortably enjoy the park in 2 to 3 hours.
The layout, the plant‑life separation, and the clear zoning make it easy to move quickly between rides without feeling like you’re constantly backtracking.
Food Options
The food options were better than I expected for a private island. My son loved the ice cream from one of its kiosks. The Low Tide Smoke, serving proper BBQ ribs, wings, and nachos, was included in the cost, while Catch of the Cay offers seafood baskets and rolls, giving that summer energy all in one place.
There’s also a complimentary buffet plus food trucks and drink stations scattered around for whatever your fancy takes you.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the whole day felt like a celebration of something genuinely new and exciting on Great Stirrup Cay. With the new pier, frequent land trains, 19 slides, cliff jumps, and one of the best kids’ zones I’ve seen, the waterpark adds a full-day experience to the island, and from my point of view, it delivered exactly what a waterpark should be.
It’s full of energy, organization, and a clear sense of what cruise passengers can look forward to. We spent a good 4 hours at the park, which went by fast.
Despite originally being reluctant to leave, and after a last few goes on the slides and another tipping from the giant bucket, we all left to return to the ship, with my son spending the next few hours reliving the day with us; he clearly had the best day he’s ever had.
