Teri West
When I visited Great Stirrup Cay in March, Norwegian Cruise Line employees promised that the private island's waterpark would open this summer.
It seemed like that would require turbo speed, since the construction site didn't resemble a waterpark yet. But two months later, NCL is now confident enough about the construction pace that it has committed to an opening date: Sept. 4. Sure, it's after Labor Day and at the end of family cruise season, but hey, it's technically still summer.
Great Tides Waterpark will be the second land-based waterpark operated by a cruise company and presents the opportunity for a needed boost for NCL, both from a revenue and marketing perspective. Both are areas that new Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO John Chidsey has been targeting for company improvements.
Currently, Great Stirrup Cay's extra-cost activities for families are limited to excursion-style experiences, like ziplining. With reservations now open for the waterpark, NCL is charging prices starting at $79.99 per person.
That's more revenue for NCL, but it's also a draw for families, who currently can only find that type of cruise attraction with Royal Caribbean at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. From a marketing perspective, the waterpark gives NCL a new asset to advertise and travel advisors a new reason to direct clients with children toward NCL for Caribbean voyages.
Over the winter, NCL opened the Great Life Lagoon pool on the island and the adults-only beach Vibe Shore Club. Guest satisfaction scores for the island have since improved "dramatically," said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CFO Mark Kempa on the company's first-quarter earnings call in May.
He described the waterpark as amongst the "primary monetizing" features of the island. Opening it will bring in returns via admission fees and, over time, through premium pricing for cruises that include a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, Kempa said.
The water park is something "we believe will really start to spark incremental demand," he said.
Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 slides, a floating river, a cliff jumping area and a children's splash pad.
NCL has been intentional about building features that are unique in the world of waterparks. One slide, for example, will feature a section with a pause in the descent before the rider is either sent backward or forward down the remaining portion.
On the river, there will be a tunnel that riders go through with LED projections visible in the dark interior. NCL is aware of two other waterparks in the world that have a similar tunnel, one in Nashville and the other in Canada, said Chris Doval, senior director of development strategy and program management for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, during a tour of the waterpark site in March.
For the cliff jump, guests will be able to choose to plummet from a 10- or 15-foot perch. That area will be designed for spectators to enjoy, Doval said.
"Being able to watch friends, family, being able to interact, enjoy the moment," he said. "An adventurous experience."