Following the news that Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will be enhancing its Great Stirrup Cay private island destination with even more attractions, we caught up with John Chernesky, senior vice president of North America sales for NCL, to get some extra insight into the future project.
We also asked what else is on the horizon for the brand, including the upcoming new Norwegian Luna and homeport sailings from San Diego, California. Read on to find out what other exciting enhancements are on the calendar for NCL.
How has the travel advisor community responded to the latest Great Stirrup Cay announcement?
Our partners are incredibly excited about the expansion of Great Stirrup Cay and the enhancements that have been announced. They have been buzzing with positive feedback, and there's a palpable sense of enthusiasm about the upcoming improvements. Specifically, the addition of a pier is being hailed as a game-changer for us — obviously long overdue.
New attractions — such as The Great Life Lagoon, the 28,000-square-foot heated pool and Hammock Bay — and the addition of thrilling activities, such as Great Tides Waterpark, cliffside jumps and the dynamic river, have been received positively. Our partners believe these enhancements will significantly elevate the overall guest experience, making Great Stirrup Cay an even more attractive destination for our guests.
Overall, the response from the travel partner community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re all so excited about what’s to come at Great Stirrup Cay.
What will the fee be for the slides and other attractions, or will they be complimentary?
We are focused on enhancing our guest experience at Great Stirrup Cay, and because of that, most of what we are adding to the island will be complimentary, including the new pool, Horizon Park, Splash Harbor and Hammock Bay.
There will be a charge for Great Tides Waterpark, the Jet Karts and Vibe Shore Club. We are still evaluating the fee structure for these experiences, but we are focused on ensuring that our guests feel like they are getting great value for whatever we do end up charging.
Will any charges be a commissionable add-on for agents?
Our existing excursions on Great Stirrup Cay are currently non-commissionable, and as of right now, that will remain the same for the new activities.
What should advisors be promoting beyond the new Norwegian Luna? What else can you say about the future fleet and opportunities for agents?
There are so many exciting things coming up for NCL. We cannot wait to welcome Norwegian Luna, sister ship to Norwegian Aqua, next spring in 2026. It is going to be an absolute stunner, just like Aqua.
Luna will feature all the standout amenities of the Prima Plus Class, including the Aqua Slidecoaster, the longest and fastest slides at sea; Glow Court, a digital LED sports area; Aqua Game Zone, the multigenerational gaming venue filled with retro arcade games and new-age virtual reality experiences; and so much more.
We’re really excited about our fun-in-the-sun cruises in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexican Riviera, because what more could you ask for than white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and the sun shining? With 11 convenient homeports sailing to the Caribbean, we truly provide ease and flexibility for guests to embark on the cruise vacation of their dreams.
We have also increased our capacity in the Mexican Riviera by adding San Diego as a homeport, which complements our existing West Coast homeport of Los Angeles and offers a new opportunity for residents of California and folks from Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada who may prefer to drive. Lastly, our Bahamas cruises are great, short getaways for families who don’t have too much time away from school or for the guests who are new to cruising and may want to try a quick trip.
