10 new additions to NCL’s private island in the Bahamas

At a glance

• Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas
• New additions include an expansive swimming pool, water park and relaxation areas
• Multiple features are designed to improve accessibility for guests with mobility challenges
• Brand-new spaces include both family-friendly areas and an adults-only one
• The island’s upgrades will roll out in two phases: winter 2025 and summer 2026

What makes NCL the right choice for the Caribbean?

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named the Caribbean's leading cruise line for 12 years in a row by the World Travel Awards, and it's easy to see why. For decades, it's been a true trailblazer in the region, shaping the Caribbean cruise experience as we know it today.

NCL's mission to make the Caribbean more accessible to travellers from around the globe started 57 years ago, when it launched weekly sailings that introduced a wider audience to this corner of the world, with its turquoise waters and sun-soaked shores. Since then, the cruise line has continued to build its legacy, including developing new ports in destinations like Jamaica.

One of their biggest calling cards? Great Stirrup Cay, a dreamy private island in the Bahamas, reserved exclusively for NCL guests.

What is Great Stirrup Cay?

Great Stirrup Cay is a Bahamian island where white-sand beaches slope into dazzling turquoise waters, palm trees sway in the Caribbean breeze and temperatures rarely dip below the mid-20s °C.

Its story stretches back centuries – including a stint as a hideout for 17th-century pirates – but its most defining chapter began in the 1970s, when NCL spotted its potential. The cruise line reimagined it as a private island exclusively for its passengers. At the time, it was a bold departure from anything other cruise lines were doing, and many saw it as something of a gamble.

Needless to say, it paid off. Nearly five decades later, Great Stirrup Cay remains a standout on many of NCL’s itineraries. Its success even paved the way for a second NCL private island. Harvest Caye, off the coast of Belize and right on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is a standout stop on Western Caribbean cruises.

That said, with its iconic overwater swings, exhilarating ziplines and underwater snorkel garden teeming with marine life, for many, Great Stirrup Cay remains the ultimate private escape.

And because NCL has never been one to rest on its laurels, the cruise line is about to unveil a series of headline-grabbing additions to the island. These are 10 of the most anticipated upgrades.

Coming in winter 2025

1. Great Life Lagoon

Those looking to escape a chilly European winter will arrive just in time to dive straight into the brand-new Great Life Lagoon. The swimming pool is a staggering 2,600 square metres. For reference, that’s the size of two Olympic-sized swimming pools or 20 tennis courts.

Swim-up bars will serve both cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, while poolside cabanas and plush lounge chairs are perfect for drinking in the oceanfront views. The dedicated kids’ area, meanwhile, promises space to make holiday memories as a family.

2. New Pier

At the time of writing, Great Stirrup Cay is a tender port, meaning guests must take a small boat from ship to shore. In late 2025, a new pier will allow passengers to stroll directly from their ship to the island’s sandy beaches and begin their day at their leisure.

3. Welcome Plaza

Starting your private island adventure has never looked so stylish, thanks to the new state-of-the-art arrivals’ area, complete with water features, a covered pergola and an overlook bridge, which serves up views of the island’s coastline and Great Life Lagoon.

4. New Tram

This new service will facilitate easier and more efficient guest access around the island. Crucially, it will make the island more accessible for travellers with mobility challenges.

Coming in summer 2026

5. Great Tides Waterpark

Kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy a glorious surge of adrenaline at this gleaming new waterpark, complete with high-speed and sea-inspired waterslides, as well as dramatic cliff-jump platforms from which you can leap into crystal-clear waters. It’s full of surprises, too, with a river ride complete with tunnels that may or may not be hiding a secret adventure.

6. Vibe Shore Club

If you’ve been on an NCL ship before, this beloved adults-only club might ring a bell, but this will mark its shoreside debut. Here, expect to lounge in a cabana, cocktail in hand, listening to a curated beach playlist and enjoying views of paradise in every direction.

7. Splash Harbour

Little ones are far from an afterthought on Great Stirrup Cay, and this expansive splash zone has plenty to keep the whole family content. As well as a water-filled wonderland designed with junior cruisers in mind, there’s shaded seating and a refreshment lounge serving drinks for guests of all ages.

8. Hammock Bay

If you’re after that classic, ridiculously relaxed Caribbean experience, there’s a hammock here with your name on it. At this laid-back oasis, the only thing likely to pull you from your beach read is the call of the cocktail bar or the lure of the barbecue buffet. And if you fancy a swim, the beach is just a stone’s throw away.

9. Jet Karts

Once you’ve got your fill of beachside relaxation, you’ll find plenty of thrills to keep you entertained. Follow up ziplining with a go-kart-meets-jet-ski experience in aquamarine waters.

10. Horizon Park

If you’re looking for a pleasant blend of relaxation and friendly competition, you’ll find there are lawn-style games, mini golf and shaded seating on the Horizon.

How to make the most of Great Stirrup Cay

When you’re planning your Caribbean cruise with NCL, consider a More At Sea™ package. Priced from £249 for a seven- or eight-night sailing, this upgrade includes premium beverages, speciality dining, Wi-Fi powered by Starlink and shore excursion credits.

Better still, at Great Stirrup Cay, those perks extend on land, too. If you’re planning to stop by the Bacardí Bar for a freshly muddled mojito or the Patrón Bar for a tart margarita, the premium drinks package is certainly a welcome bonus.

The shore credits are also likely to come in handy. When stopping at Great Stirrup Cay, you’ll find you won’t want to miss only-in-the-Bahamas experiences like jet karts or swimming with the legendary pigs of Treasure Island.

Standout cruises that visit Great Stirrup Cay

Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay, Dominican Republic & Tortola

When: Multiple departure dates, between April and November 2026

Duration: Seven days

Number of ports: Five ports

Highlights: You’ll be sailing aboard Norwegian Luna, the newest ship in the NCL fleet. It’s also one of the most impressive, with an Aqua Slidecoaster (a hybrid rollercoaster waterslide), infinity pools and a world-class spa.

This itinerary includes stops like Tortola, known for beautiful beaches, mahogany forests and Sage Mountain, and Puerto Plata, with its Spanish fortress and cascading waterfalls. Great Stirrup Cay is just the cherry on top.

Caribbean: Dominican Republic & Antigua

When: Multiple departure dates, between December 2025 and February 2026

Duration: 10 days

Number of ports: Eight ports

Highlights: The Norwegian Getaway takes passengers on a winter sun, island-hopping adventure. Standouts include St Kitts, with its gold-fringed beaches and a mountainous interior, St Thomas with its eco tours and dramatic scenery and San Juan, with world-class rum distilleries and easy access to rainforests. Great Stirrup Cay is the final hurrah before sailing back to Miami.

Bahamas: Great Stirrup Cay, Orlando & Nassau

When: Multiple departure dates, between November 2026 and March 2027

Duration: Eight days

Number of ports: Four ports

Highlights: Norwegian Bliss sails round-trip from New York, making it easy to pair your Caribbean cruise with a mini break among the skyscrapers of the Concrete Jungle. You’ll also stop in Orlando (Port Canaveral), where theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando draw visitors from around the globe. But even those headline attractions have a hard time competing with the pristine beaches and marine-rich waters of Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Please note: Additional costs apply to some activities. Renderings are for illustrative purposes only and subject to change; see ncl.com for full details.

Read next: What to expect from a day on an NCL Caribbean cruise