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CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. These beautifully designed cabanas feature a large L-shaped couch, a mini-fridge, ceiling fan, four lounge chairs on the porch area, four floating pads, fresh towel supply, snacks, a bowl of fresh fruit, dedicated waiter service, an extra $50 credit for food and a private shower on the back. That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. Have more questions about visiting Great Stirrup Cay? As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Share In addition to upgrading and enhancing the experience at the dining venues, and improving walkways and landscaping, theyve also added more sports and adventure activities. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. There are a few sets around the island and you can get a pic with your toes dangling in the water. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Royal Caribbean recently spent about $250 million renovating their island, putting in everything from the Caribbeans largest pool to a waterpark with the tallest waterslide in North America. Much of the island is undeveloped, but Norwegian has carved out a beachy paradise on the northern shore, with plenty of fun-in-the-sun options for cruisers. Ships sailing to the private island include: Ships from Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, make the occasional stop at Great Stirrup Cay, as well. And the free food definitely caught my attention. The water there is about waist height. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. All three lines are owned by the . Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. Here is a complete map of the island, provided from NCL: Norwegians island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. Tenders run continually throughout the day so you can come and go from the island whenever you want. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. Chairs are free. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. until the early 19th century. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Hugely disappointed with this line. This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. Catamaran & Snorkel ($79/$59 kids): A double-decker, covered snorkel boat will take you to a live coral reef where you can swim with native fish and marine life. Much of the island is undeveloped, but Norwegian has carved out a beachy paradise on the northern shore, with plenty of fun-in-the-sun options for cruisers. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. However, you should bring anything you might want for a day at the beach, including things like your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Though both cabana types are situated at the farthest end of the island and face quieter beaches than the bustling main beach area, the smaller cabanas offer a slightly more laid-back experience. (There are public facilities within walking distance.) Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. If you or one of your cruising group is unable to walk at all, tendering to the island might not be possible. I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. Best of all, they are free. On the drinks end, there are five bars on the island, starting with the very energetic Bacardi Bar where you can hang out and listen to music as well as enjoy a drink. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. Great Stirrup Cay. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? Theres no service while youre on the beach so if you want to get in touch at home or post to social media about your day at the beach, youll need to wait until you go back aboard. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas, offers gorgeous white sand beaches, water sports and activities, and a variety of restaurants and bars. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. Jumbey Beach Grill is the largest dining venue, offering barbecue-style food in a buffet setting. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. So what can you expect from your visit? No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. The island is truly a Caribbean paradise with lots of tropical palm trees, colorful flowers and lush plants in this protected marine sanctuary. The temperature averages a very pleasant 77F all year round. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. My husband and I are snorkelers. We were considering getting a small cabana and splitting the cost between us and a friend who is also going. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. Find out everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas with things to do and tips. It features 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas, a Mandara Spa, a Mot & Chandon Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar. If you have your heart set on a day on this private island, you might want to consider booking your cruise outside of this season. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. If its been a few years since youve visited the private island, youll be amazed at how much its changed while still retaining its charm. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. GSC Villas sell out early because people want that luxury experienceand there are lots of us with pandemic cruise credits looking for a way to redeem our missed vacations. 9. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Those who have paid to enjoy the Silver Cove experience have their own exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar with an upscale buffet including lobster tail and jumbo shrimp. Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');Cruisers visiting Great Stirrup Cay for the day have a range of activities to choose from, and the island offers something for every activity level and budget. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? Amenities are the same. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. Thanks for stopping by! And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. You may add up to two additional people for an additional $30 per-person charge, for a maximum of eight people in the small cabanas and 10 in the large cabanas. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Will keep an eye out next time! Norwegian purchased the island outright in 1986. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');You may notice some Royal Caribbean ships as you approach the island. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. Carry cash for the local market on the island; they dont take your ship stateroom card or credit card. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. Happy Cruising!! Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. Tip: If your Bahamas cruise also stops in Freeport, I recommend the Swim With The Pigs excursion that NCL offers thereyou can take unlimited photos and video at no additional charge. Youll need to pick up a complimentary ticket with a specific time to board the tender, or you can wait until Open Tender is called. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. Behind the cabana, you'll find four floating mats for complimentary all-day use in the ocean and a private shower to rinse off, as well as your very own hammock. Having recently been to Coco Cay in 2019, and seeing what is on Great Stirrup Cay, I have no desire whatsoever to visit it at this point. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. Great Stirrup Cay is situated in the Bahamas and is included in a number of itineraries for Norwegian Cruise Line. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. Find a Cruise. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! This video shows off the various.