Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation, may comprise providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder, activating the set-delayed cement composition with a cement set activator, wherein the cement set activator comprises at least one activator selected from the group consisting of nanosilica, a polyphosphate, and combinations thereof, introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation, and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation.