Editorial Image: ID 112586411 © Photosvit | Dreamstime.com A sunny beach day at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island destination. Photographed in January 2016, before the island's recent upgrades.
Norwegian Cruise Line is increasing visits to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, with 1.4 million passengers now expected in 2027. But what does the growing focus on private islands mean for cruise itineraries and fares?
Norwegian Cruise Line is making some significant changes to its Caribbean cruise itineraries, with an additional 200,000 passengers expected to visit its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in 2027.
The announcement came during Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' third-quarter earnings call on 29 October 2026, when CEO John Chidsey revealed that the company had adjusted its itinerary planning for 2027 and 2028.
The changes mean Great Stirrup Cay is now expected to welcome approximately 1.4 million cruise passengers in 2027, up from the previously projected 1.2 million.
The increase follows a substantial investment in the island, including a new water park and a pier capable of accommodating two cruise ships.
But with Norwegian placing greater emphasis on its private destination, there's an interesting question for passengers: what happens to the other ports on their itineraries?
Why Norwegian Is Sending More Passengers to Great Stirrup Cay
Located in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island destination, offering beaches, swimming areas, restaurants, bars and activities exclusively for visiting cruise passengers.
Norwegian has been investing heavily in the island, with several major improvements completed during 2026.
One of the most significant additions is a new two-berth pier, allowing cruise ships to dock directly at the island.
Previously, passengers needed to travel ashore by tender boat, a process that could be affected by weather and sea conditions.
The new pier makes visiting Great Stirrup Cay more convenient and reduces the risk of tender-related disruptions. It also allows passengers to spend more time ashore.
During the earnings call, Norwegian confirmed that adjustments to its itinerary planning would bring substantially more guests to the island over the coming years.
The company sees Great Stirrup Cay as an important attraction for passengers choosing between Caribbean cruise holidays.
Great Tides Waterpark Adds Another Reason to Visit
Another major addition is Great Tides Waterpark, which officially opened on 4 September 2026.
The nearly six-acre attraction features 19 waterslides, a wandering river, cliff-jumping attractions and a dedicated children's splash area.
It's a substantial expansion of the activities available at Great Stirrup Cay, particularly for families travelling with children.
According to Norwegian, early guest feedback has been positive, with 90% of surveyed visitors to the water park saying they would recommend the experience.
However, there's an important distinction for passengers planning their visit.
Admission to Great Tides Waterpark costs extra.
Guests can still enjoy complimentary areas of Great Stirrup Cay, including beaches and selected swimming and dining facilities, without purchasing water park admission.
Other experiences, such as cabanas and certain activities, may also attract additional charges.
Norwegian hasn't publicly disclosed what percentage of visitors are purchasing water park tickets, although executives indicated that they expect demand to improve as more families visit the island.
Could Norwegian's Private Island Strategy Lead to Higher Cruise Fares?
Interestingly, Norwegian's plans aren't limited to increasing the number of passengers visiting Great Stirrup Cay.
During the earnings call, company executives discussed the potential for the island's expanded attractions to generate additional revenue.
In the short term, the focus is on spending during the cruise, including purchases associated with the island's facilities and activities.
Over time, Norwegian also believes the improvements could support higher cruise fares on itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay.
That doesn't mean a specific fare increase has been announced for these sailings.
However, it does show that Norwegian sees its private island as something passengers may be willing to pay more to visit.
For travellers comparing Caribbean cruises, it will be worth looking at the overall cost of a holiday, particularly if some of the island's headline attractions require additional spending.
What Happens to Other Caribbean Ports?
Perhaps the most interesting part of Norwegian's announcement is the decision to adjust itineraries to accommodate another 200,000 visits to Great Stirrup Cay.
While the company has confirmed the increase, it hasn't provided a complete list of the itinerary changes responsible for the additional passenger numbers.
That means it's not yet clear how many cruises have had other ports replaced with Great Stirrup Cay, how many have simply added an island visit, or whether some changes involve ships being assigned to different routes.
For passengers who enjoy private-island beach days, the additional visits could be welcome news.
Great Stirrup Cay offers a convenient day ashore, with beaches and activities close to the ship and no need to organise independent transport.
But other cruisers prefer visiting established Caribbean destinations, exploring local communities or arranging independent shore excursions.
For those passengers, the individual ports included in an itinerary may be just as important as the ship itself.
Anyone booking a Norwegian Caribbean cruise in 2027 or 2028 should check the itinerary carefully, particularly if they have a specific destination in mind.
Passengers with existing bookings should also keep an eye on communications from Norwegian regarding any changes to their scheduled ports.
Private Islands Are Becoming a Bigger Part of Caribbean Cruising
Norwegian isn't alone in investing in exclusive destinations.
Royal Caribbean has developed its Perfect Day at CocoCay destination in the Bahamas, while MSC Cruises operates Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
These destinations offer cruise lines greater control over the experience passengers have ashore, including facilities, activities and dining options.
They also provide opportunities to sell additional experiences, from private cabanas to water park admission.
For passengers, private islands can offer an enjoyable and relatively straightforward beach day, especially for families who don't want the hassle of arranging transport or excursions.
But their increasing presence on Caribbean itineraries raises a question about the balance between private destinations and traditional ports of call.
With Norwegian expecting 1.4 million passengers at Great Stirrup Cay next year, its private island is clearly becoming an increasingly important part of the company's Caribbean cruise plans.
And with the company already considering the potential for higher fares on cruises visiting the island, it will be interesting to see how passengers respond.
Would you be happy to see more private-island visits on your Caribbean cruise, or would you prefer to explore different ports?
