Norwegian Cruise Line has started rolling out the first round of upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay, and while what’s open now is nice, it’s pretty clear this is just step one of a much bigger plan.
The biggest change you’ll notice right away is the new Great Life Lagoon. This is a 1.4-acre pool complex, and it completely changes how a day on the island works. It’s huge, heated, and built with a beach-style entrance so you can actually walk into the pool instead of steps making it accessible to almost everyone. It’s larger than two Olympic-size pools combined, which explains why it now feels like the center of the island instead of just another place to cool off.
Families have plenty of room, including a shallow splash area built right into the pool. There’s also Splash Harbor, a dedicated kids splash pad nearby that’s included and perfectly placed to wear kids out before lunchtime. For adults there are two swim-up bars built into the lagoon. That pretty much tells you who this space is meant to work for.
Around the pool are new cabanas, which finally makes Great Stirrup Cay feel more like a resort and less like a race to claim a chair. And for those who prefer their beach day with fewer kids around, the Vibe Shore Club has officially made the move ashore. It’s adults-only, available by day pass, and includes private cabanas, its own bar, and a much calmer atmosphere than the main beach areas.
Some of the most important upgrades are the ones you may not think about until you’re there. A new pier means no more tendering headaches, and a new welcome center and tram system make getting around the island far easier than it used to be. These are practical changes, but they make a noticeable difference to how smooth the day feels.
So that’s what’s open now, but it’s only the beginning. In summer 2026, NCL plans to open Great Tides Waterpark, and this isn’t a small add-on. The plans call for 19 waterslides, a massive slide tower, racing slides, tube slides with conveyor belts so you’re not dragging rafts upstairs, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a large kids splash zone, and even cliffside jumps. That last one is a first for the cruise industry.
By 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line expects more than a million guests a year to visit Great Stirrup Cay across 17 ships, including newer ships like Norwegian Aqua and the upcoming Norwegian Luna. That alone tells you how important this island is to NCL’s future plans.