Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed development plans for Great Stirrup Cay, the brand's private island in the Bahamas – with an array of new amenities and experiences coming this winter 2025 and summer 2026. This exciting news has been announced during the official christening celebration of the all-new Norwegian Aqua in Miami, Florida. The reimagined Great Stirrup Cay is set to introduce an expansive pool area, new arrivals centre, a state-of-the-art pier and more!
One of the major highlights of this ultimate Caribbean escape transformation is the launch of the Great Life Lagoon, a 28,000-square-feet heated pool facing the sea. Catering to guests of all ages, the seafront oasis will feature dedicated swim-up bars for adults and a kid-friendly splash pad with water fountains. The best part? Guests can take in the endless ocean views from the plush loungers and cabana rentals surrounding this massive pool area.
Following the private island revamp, a stunning pergola with the Great Stirrup Cay sign will soon welcome guests upon arrival. This leads to an overlook bridge, which makes a picture-perfect spot for capturing a panoramic shot of the island's spectacular coastline from 40 feet above the ocean.
Guests can enjoy all these significant updates just in time with the completion of the new, multi-ship pier at the exclusive island destination, which allows ships to dock directly at the quay without the need to use tender boats. Tram services will also be provided to make transfers from ship to shore all the more easy and convenient.
Aiming to further elevate guest experience, NCL intends to bring two of its signature onboard guest-favourites to the island getaway. The first one is the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, an open-air lounge, complete with exclusive cabanas and loungers. Next up is the Horizon Park, an outdoor recreation area with lawn-style entertainment designed for families, which has recently debuted on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway.
In addition to these upcoming upgrades, a new relaxation zone is also underway at Great Stirrup Cay. It will be fitted with swaying hammocks and Tiki-inspired amenities, offering a perfect setting for unwinding and soaking up the warm Bahamian sunshine!
