I recently visited Great Tides Waterpark during opening weekend while sailing aboard the Norwegian Getaway, and my family rented a waterpark cabana for the day.
After spending the day using it, I think a cabana makes a lot of sense for some families.
But here’s something particularly important to know when comparing the price:
My Great Tides Waterpark cabana included admission to the waterpark for up to six people.
That means I didn’t have to purchase six separate Great Tides Waterpark tickets and then pay for the cabana on top of those admission prices.
That can make a big difference when deciding whether a Great Tides cabana is worth the money.
Pricing, availability, and what’s included can vary by sailing, so definitely check the specific details shown for your cruise before booking. But I’ll walk you through exactly what my cabana included, what I liked about it, where I’d try to book one, and whether I think you actually need one.
Watch My Great Tides Waterpark Cabana Tour
Want to see exactly what the cabana looked like?
I filmed this quick walkthrough during my visit:
In the video, you can see the seating, loungers, refreshments, and overall setup, so you’ll have a much better idea of what you’re getting before you book.
What Was Included With My Great Tides Waterpark Cabana?
My cabana provided a dedicated covered area where my family could relax throughout our day at Great Tides.
Inside, I had:
- A large couch/seating area
- Two upgraded, plush lounge chairs
- A covered area for shade
- A ceiling fan
- Chips and salsa
- A fruit platter
- Six bottles of water
- A bottle of sparkling wine
And, importantly:
My cabana reservation included waterpark admission for up to six guests.
For me, that’s a very important distinction.
Does a Great Tides Cabana Include Waterpark Admission?
With the cabana I booked, yes.
My cabana included Great Tides Waterpark admission for up to six people.
I think families should pay close attention to that when looking at cabana pricing.
During my sailing, regular Great Tides Waterpark admission was $79.99 per person. If I were simply looking at the total price of a cabana without realizing admission was included, the cabana could initially seem much more expensive than it really was.
For example, at the $79.99 admission price I experienced, six individual waterpark tickets would total about $480 before even considering the value of the cabana.
Because my cabana included up to six admissions, I wasn’t paying for six $79.99 tickets and then adding the full cabana price on top.
That’s a much better way to evaluate the value.
However, I want to emphasize that Great Tides pricing and cabana inclusions may vary by sailing. Don’t assume that the pricing or inclusions I received will be identical for your cruise. Check the exact details in your Norwegian Cruise Line reservation before booking.
What Does a Great Tides Waterpark Cabana Look Like?
The cabana isn’t an enclosed air-conditioned room like the villas you will find at Silver Cove (which I love). Think of it more as a comfortable, upgraded, covered home base for your waterpark day.
Mine had a large couch area where my family could sit together, along with two upgraded lounge chairs that were noticeably more plush than the standard loungers around the park.
The cabana was covered and had a ceiling fan, which was especially nice in the Bahamas heat.
Having a dedicated shaded area gave everyone somewhere to regroup between rides instead of constantly looking for chairs.
The Shade Was More Valuable Than I Expected
I knew having shade would be nice.
What I hadn’t necessarily planned for was the weather.
A quick afternoon shower rolled through Great Tides during my visit, and having the cabana turned out to be fantastic.
Instead of scrambling to find somewhere dry, my family could simply hang out underneath the covered cabana and wait for the shower to pass.
That’s one of those benefits that’s difficult to put a dollar amount on before your trip but feels pretty valuable when you actually need it.
And even without the rain, having a shaded place to escape the sun throughout a full waterpark day was great.
Food and Drinks Included With My Cabana
My cabana was also stocked with a few refreshments.
When I arrived, chips and salsa and a fruit platter were waiting for my family.
The cooler held six bottles of water and a bottle of sparkling wine.
I wouldn’t book the cabana solely because of the food and drinks, but they’re nice touches that make the experience feel more like an upgrade rather than simply paying for reserved seating.
And those bottles of water certainly didn’t go to waste during a full day at a Bahamas waterpark!
How Many Cabanas Are There?
During my visit, 10 cabanas were available.
That means availability can be limited, especially on sailings where a lot of families plan to spend their Great Stirrup Cay day at Great Tides.
If you’ve decided that a cabana is important to your family, I wouldn’t wait until the last minute to book one.
Which Cabana Should You Choose?
If I were choosing again, I’d specifically look at:
Cabana 6 or Cabana 10.
Based on the layout I experienced, I thought those offered particularly convenient locations within the park.
I especially like those locations for families with younger children because they’re near the large Splash Cay splash pad and kids’ waterslide area.
Of course, availability will ultimately determine which cabana you can reserve.
Do You Need a Cabana at Great Tides Waterpark?
No.
And I think this is important to say.
I really enjoyed having my cabana, but I wouldn’t tell someone that they need one to enjoy Great Tides Waterpark.
I saw plenty of regular seating throughout the park during my visit.
If your family plans to arrive early, spend the entire day riding slides, and doesn’t care much about having a dedicated home base, you may be perfectly happy using the regular seating.
I’d rather see someone spend the money on Great Tides admission and experience the park than feel like they also have to rent a cabana.
The cabana is an upgrade—not a requirement.
Who Should Consider Renting a Great Tides Cabana?
I think the cabanas make the most sense for a few types of travelers.
Families of four to six people should definitely run the numbers, particularly if waterpark admission is included with the cabana option offered for their sailing.
Families with younger children may also appreciate having a central location where kids can rest, eat, or get out of the sun.
I’d also consider one if someone in your group doesn’t plan to spend the entire day riding slides. Comfortable shaded seating gives that person somewhere nicer to relax while everyone else explores the park.
And if you simply enjoy having a dedicated home base rather than hunting for chairs at a waterpark, that’s probably the most obvious reason to book one.
Who Might Want to Skip the Cabana?
If you’re traveling with only one or two people, I’d compare the cabana price carefully against purchasing individual waterpark admission.
I’d also probably skip it if everyone in your group plans to spend the entire day moving from one attraction to another.
Plenty of regular seating was available during my visit, so you don’t need to rent a cabana just because you’re worried there won’t be anywhere to sit.
Is a Cabana Worth It?
For my family, yes, I thought it was worth it.
But I think you have to evaluate the price correctly.
Don’t just look at:
“How much does the cabana cost?”
Instead, look at:
“How much does the cabana cost compared with what I would already be paying for waterpark admission for my family?”
That’s especially important for a family approaching the six-person capacity.
My cabana included admission for up to six guests, along with the dedicated covered space, couch, upgraded loungers, fan, snacks, fruit, bottled water and sparkling wine.
When you evaluate everything together, the value proposition looks very different than if you mistakenly assume you have to purchase six waterpark tickets separately.
My Great Tides Cabana Tips
- Check exactly what’s included for your sailing. Pricing and inclusions can change, so verify how many admissions are included before doing your math.
- Compare the cabana price against your total family admission cost. Don’t compare it against $0.
- Book early if you really want one. I only saw 10 cabanas during my visit, and only 2 were available when we booked ours last minute.
- Look for Cabana 6 or 10. Those would be my preferred locations based on the park layout I experienced.
- Still get to the park early. Having a cabana doesn’t mean I’d sleep in. I found the lines for the major Great Tides attractions were better earlier in the morning.
- Use the cabana as a home base. Get out and enjoy the park, then come back when you need shade, water, a snack, or a break.
- Plan for Caribbean weather. The covered cabana was especially nice when an afternoon shower came through.
Great Tides Waterpark Cabana FAQs
How many people can use a Great Tides Waterpark cabana?
My cabana reservation included Great Tides Waterpark admission for up to six people. Check the terms for your specific sailing because pricing and inclusions can change.
Does Great Tides Waterpark admission come with the cabana?
It did with mine. My cabana included admission for up to six people, meaning I didn’t have to purchase those waterpark tickets separately.
What was included in the Great Tides cabana?
My cabana included a covered seating area, a couch, two upgraded lounge chairs, a ceiling fan, chips and salsa, a fruit platter, six bottled waters, and a bottle of sparkling wine, along with waterpark admission for up to six guests.
Does the Great Tides cabana have air conditioning?
No, the waterpark cabana was not enclosed or air-conditioned. It was covered for shade and had a ceiling fan.
Are there regular chairs at Great Tides Waterpark?
Yes. I saw plenty of regular seating during my visit, so I don’t think renting a cabana is necessary simply to have somewhere to sit.
Which Great Tides cabana is best?
Based on the layout during my visit, I’d look at Cabana 6 or Cabana 10 if they’re available. I thought both offered convenient locations, particularly for families with younger children.
How much does a Great Tides Waterpark cabana cost?
Cabana pricing can vary by sailing and availability. Check Norwegian Cruise Line for the price offered on your particular cruise and, importantly, check exactly what that price includes.
Is a Great Tides cabana worth it for a family of six?
I think it’s particularly worth comparing for a larger family. My cabana included waterpark admission for up to six guests. At the $79.99 individual admission price during my visit, six tickets alone would have been approximately $480. Compare that total with the cabana price you’re offered rather than looking at the cabana price in isolation.
My Final Verdict
I loved having a cabana during my Great Tides Waterpark day.
Did I absolutely need it?
No.
Would I consider booking one again?
Definitely.
The dedicated shade, fan, comfortable seating, upgraded loungers, snacks, and drinks were all nice.
But for me, one of the most important things to understand is the included waterpark admission for up to six guests.
Depending on the price offered for your sailing and the number of people in your party, that can significantly change whether a Great Tides cabana makes financial sense.
Before booking, I’d simply do the math.
Find the individual Great Tides ticket price for your sailing. Multiply that by the number of people in your family. Then compare that total with the cabana price and everything it includes.
For my family, having the cabana made my Great Tides day even better.
If you want to see exactly what mine looked like before deciding, watch my full cabana walkthrough above.
Want to Know More About Great Tides Waterpark?
A cabana is only one small part of the Great Tides experience.
I visited during opening weekend and tried everything from Breakwater Blasters and Tropic Spiral to the Wandering River and cliff jump.
👉 Read my complete Great Tides Waterpark review here.
I cover my favorite attractions, wait times, food trucks, ride requirements, tips for families, what I didn’t love, and whether Great Tides Waterpark is worth the price.
And if you’re planning a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation, I’m Joy with Joy Your Travel Expert. I help families choose the right cruise, ship, stateroom, and vacation experiences based on how they actually want to travel.
👉 Request a quote from Joy Your Travel Expert and start planning your next cruise.
