When Norwegian Cruise Line announced July 29 it was building a waterpark on private island Great Stirrup Cay, president David Herrera was hanging out in a retail space in New York City that the line had transformed into a little slice of the Caribbean, taking it all in.
Steel drums played Marc Anthony's "Vivir Mi Vida," Caribbean Coladas were being mixed at a tropical-themed bar and digital screens showcased wall-length renderings of what will be the waterpark's 19 waterslides. Herrera grinned from ear to ear as he socialized and greeted media just hours after his live appearance on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America."
"We sail out of New York year-round, and it's an important market for us," Herrera said during a break at a coffee shop around the corner from the festivities. "We always bring our newest hardware here."
Investing in a waterpark was strategic competitively as major cruise lines continue to expand the offerings in private destinations, he said. But for NCL guests, that will mean an even more fulfilling stop in the Bahamas at Great Stirrup Cay when the waterpark opens next summer.
"There are a lot of other private islands, and they have their own version of a waterpark," Herrera said. "We just decided to build something better."
Great Stirrup Cay's waterpark will have a "dynamic river," featuring a faster current than the traditional lazy river. Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
In addition to the 19 waterslides, there will be what NCL calls a "dynamic" river (with a faster current than traditional lazy rivers) and a 9,000-square-foot splash zone for kids.
The nearly 6-acre Great Tides Waterpark will supplement a new pool and recreational areas coming later this year. Eight of the waterslides will be perched on the 170-foot Tidal Tower, including racing slides and slides with rafts. Another section, Cliffside Cove, will have 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps and a family slide that can fit four people. Nearby will be a hidden cave bar, the Grotto Bar.
The kids splash zone will be at the center of the waterpark and have eight mini-slides as well as tipping buckets. The dynamic river will include a tunnel simulating a bioluminescent sea.
The waterpark will have an entrance fee to access, which has not yet been announced, but Herrera said the price will be "reasonable."
Tidal Tower at the Great Tides Waterpark will have eight slides. Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
The company has not disclosed the cost of building out the park but has indicated that it expects strong returns.
"We are not investing hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars into this experience," said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CFO Mark Kempa on the company's Q2 earnings call. "Yes, there is an investment, but we certainly think that we are getting a great return on it."
In addition to the waterpark, NCL announced a new shore excursion coming to Great Stirrup Cay that will feature a small racecourse for personal watercraft.
The line also offered new details about additions coming later this year to complement a new pier and pool at the site.
The pool will be 1.4 acres and called Great Life Lagoon, and there will be two swim-up bars. The lively Reef Bar will have a DJ, while Waves Bar will be near a kids splash area.
The Great Life Lagoon pool will have two swim-up bars. Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
Splash Harbor will be a 3,400-square-foot splash pad, and Horizon Park will offer lawn games, pickleball, mini-golf and a sports court (think half a basketball court).
There will be more than 50 hammocks at a new Hammock Bay with a dedicated bar.
There will also be an adults-only space at Great Stirrup: The Vibe Shore Club will have a bar, hanging day beds and premium loungers and umbrellas. Day passes will be available for purchase.
"Our island is big enough that we weren't limited by space, so we were able to provide something for everybody," Herrera said.
He is particularly excited for the cliff-jumping activity in the waterpark. He recalled visiting a cliff-jumping site on a family vacation in the Philippines and how it became a spectacle that families enjoyed watching.
The Splash Harbor splash pad will be at the waterpark's center. Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
As NCL's fleet grows, it wants to increasingly invest in Caribbean sailings, which is why Great Stirrup Cay is so important, the president said. Of all of the cruise line's markets -- including Alaska, Europe and Hawaii -- he sees the Caribbean as having the most demand for increased capacity and room to grow.
"We have past guests who have been telling us repeatedly, 'We want more Caribbean,'" Herrera said. "Not only do they want more Caribbean, but they want more options of where to homeport."
More family-friendly attractions on Caribbean sailings will strengthen the company's position in the region, he said.
The island is meant to provide an escape, which is why he thinks NCL's TV ads will resonate; they show people dealing with the frustrations or mundane aspects of daily life: an argument over the dinner table, a work meeting or getting pulled over for a traffic violation.
Then, the characters are transported to Great Stirrup Cay.
"This ties in very nicely to the whole idea of 'escape to the great life,' right?" Herrera said. "Because, man, everyday life is everyday life."