Norwegian Cruise Line to build six-acre waterpark at Bahamas island

MIAMI - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which has shown strong financial performance with a 28.8% return over the past year and generated $9.4 billion in revenue, announced Tuesday plans to build a nearly six-acre waterpark at its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas, set to open in summer 2026. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 40.5%, supporting its expansion initiatives.

The "Great Tides Waterpark" will feature 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, and a 9,000-square-foot splash zone for children. The centerpiece will be a 170-foot "Tidal Tower" housing eight waterslides, including what the company describes as the industry’s first cliffside jumps at heights of 10 and 15 feet.

The waterpark expansion is part of a broader transformation of the 270-acre private island that will also include a new heated pool area, a mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts, and additional recreational facilities.

Some initial enhancements will debut later this year, including a new heated pool called "Great Life Lagoon," a multi-ship pier, and an island-wide tram service.

To promote the island transformation, NCL launched a sweepstakes running through August 31, offering 250 cruise packages to Great Stirrup Cay. The company is also hosting promotional events in New York City from July 29-31 and in Miami throughout August.

Norwegian Cruise Line expects to welcome one million guests to Great Stirrup Cay across 15 of its ships in 2026, including its newest vessels Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, which will offer seven-day Caribbean itineraries with stops at the private island.

The company also announced a limited-time promotion called "The Great Life Sale," offering discounts on Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Norwegian Cruise Line.

In other recent news, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has expanded its senior secured revolving credit facility to $2.49 billion, offering the company increased liquidity and financial flexibility to support its strategic initiatives. Analysts at TD Cowen initiated coverage on the company with a Buy rating, setting a price target of $31.00, citing that the cruise line has been "unduly punished" for yield challenges earlier this year. Mizuho has reiterated its Outperform rating with a $26.00 price target, suggesting that the expected weakness in the third quarter of 2025 is temporary, with a stronger performance anticipated in the fourth quarter. Stifel analysts have also maintained a Buy rating with a $26.00 price target, expressing optimism about current booking trends following a presentation by Norwegian Cruise Line’s CFO and IR representative. However, BofA Securities adjusted its outlook, lowering the price target to $20.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating, pointing to booking volatility and a softening in the company’s future bookings. The company has acknowledged a decline in its future bookings, a concern echoed by BofA amidst broader economic uncertainties. Additionally, Norwegian’s Oceania brand’s recent fare sale and weaker demand in other travel sectors, such as airlines, have contributed to a softened outlook. These developments provide investors with various perspectives on the company’s current and future potential.

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