Norwegian Cruise Line expects approximately 1.4 million guests to visit Great Stirrup Cay during 2027 after revising itineraries to add around 200,000 visitors to its private island.
The new projection is up from the approximately 1.2 million guests Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings had previously expected. Chief executive John Chidsey disclosed the increase during the group’s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
According to comments reported by Cruise Industry News, the additional traffic results from changes to the company’s itinerary planning for 2027 and 2028. The revisions will place Great Stirrup Cay on more sailings as Norwegian seeks to make greater use of the island’s recently expanded facilities.
Great Stirrup Cay expected to welcome 1.4 million guests
Norwegian’s revised forecast represents an increase of approximately 16.7% compared with its previous estimate of 1.2 million visitors.
The company has not published a complete list identifying every sailing altered to produce the additional 200,000 visits. Passengers should therefore continue to check the itinerary attached to their individual booking rather than assuming that a particular cruise has gained or lost an island call.
Norwegian previously said that Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye would feature on almost all of its Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries during the peak spring and summer 2027 season. Eight ships are scheduled to offer voyages in the region, including Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape.
The private destination is also an important call for shorter cruises from Florida. Increasing the number of ships and guests visiting the island allows Norwegian to include a controlled destination in more itineraries while showcasing amenities developed specifically for its passengers.
New pier makes access more reliable
The increase follows the opening of a new two-berth pier at Great Stirrup Cay. Ships traditionally used tenders to carry passengers between the vessel and the island, a process that could be affected by sea conditions.
Direct docking is intended to make access more reliable and allow passengers to spend more of their scheduled day ashore. It also gives Norwegian the capacity to handle two ships alongside at the same time.
Chidsey said the pier had made arriving at the island easier and more dependable. The infrastructure is central to Norwegian’s ability to direct a larger number of guests to Great Stirrup Cay without relying solely on tender operations.
The revised visitor estimate does not mean that 1.4 million people will be on the island simultaneously. It is a cumulative projection covering calls throughout 2027.
Great Tides Waterpark opened in September
Great Tides Waterpark opened on 4 September 2026 as part of the wider redevelopment of Great Stirrup Cay. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings describes the attraction as covering almost six acres.
The waterpark forms part of an expanded island offer that also includes beach areas, pools, cabanas and recreational facilities. Norwegian said 90% of surveyed visitors to Great Tides would recommend it and that the attraction was receiving the island’s highest guest ratings.
The company has not disclosed the proportion of island visitors who purchase a waterpark ticket. Former chief financial officer Mark Kempa told analysts that Norwegian expected participation to improve as more families experienced the development and awareness increased.
Although entry to Great Stirrup Cay is included as part of the cruise call, some activities and premium areas carry an additional charge. Guests should check their cruise planner for the inclusions and prices applying to their sailing.
Norwegian sees the island supporting cruise demand
In the short term, Norwegian expects the expanded destination to support additional spending during cruises. Over a longer period, management believes awareness of the island’s attractions could help the company command stronger ticket prices on itineraries that include a visit.
Great Stirrup Cay is therefore becoming more than a beach call. The destination is increasingly central to the way Norwegian designs and markets its Bahamas and Caribbean programmes.
The approach follows a wider cruise-industry trend in which operators invest heavily in private islands and purpose-built destinations. These calls give cruise lines greater control over the guest experience while reducing dependence on facilities operated by third-party ports.
For passengers, the revised projection means Great Stirrup Cay is likely to appear on an increasing number of Norwegian itineraries. It may also mean more days on which two ships are scheduled to use the island together, particularly during busy holiday periods.
Which Norwegian ships visit Great Stirrup Cay?
Deployment varies by season, but Norwegian’s published 2027 programme places the island prominently across cruises from Florida. Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to operate seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral, while Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape offer shorter Bahamas and Caribbean voyages.
Norwegian Viva is also scheduled to operate selected Caribbean cruises from Miami during April and May 2027, calling at both Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye.
Further ship assignments and individual port calls may change as Norwegian continues refining its schedules. The cruise line’s booking pages and direct passenger communications should be treated as authoritative for a specific departure.
Frequently asked questions
How many guests does Norwegian expect at Great Stirrup Cay in 2027?
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings now expects approximately 1.4 million guests to visit during 2027, compared with its earlier projection of around 1.2 million.
Why is the visitor forecast increasing?
The company has adjusted its itinerary planning for 2027 and 2028 to direct more ships and passengers to Great Stirrup Cay following substantial investment in the destination.
Does Great Stirrup Cay now have a cruise pier?
Yes. A new two-berth pier allows ships to dock directly, making access less dependent on tender boats and suitable sea conditions.
When did Great Tides Waterpark open?
The nearly six-acre waterpark opened on 4 September 2026.
Is Great Tides Waterpark included in the cruise fare?
Access to Great Stirrup Cay is part of the itinerary, but the waterpark and some other activities or premium areas may require separate payment. Passengers should check the options shown for their booking.
Have 200,000 additional bookings been made?
Not necessarily. The figure refers to Norwegian’s projected increase in annual island visits following itinerary changes, rather than an announcement of 200,000 newly completed cruise bookings.