It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. 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. You'll have your choice of 22 Cabanas on the Cay: 10 large cabanas situated on Cabana Beach, next to the main beach area, and which can fit up to eight people; and 12 small cabanas, accommodating up to six people each on Fiesta Beach. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. Here are the Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions for 2023: Wave Runner Tour (from $139): This 45-minute personal watercraft tour through the Berry Islands will let you see area highlights like the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, Slaughter Harbor, and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. 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. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. Dont forget to check out these resources before your Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line: Have you visited Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise? Didnt notice. Along with all the natural features there are $25 million of facilities and amenities that NCL has built on the island. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. Does not include: Room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines; Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? Want to really get away from the crowds? A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. 30 Things to Know About Perfect Day at CocoCay Bahamas (2023) - Cruise Hive The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. Yes! Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Each cabana includes a deck in the front with landscaping surrounding it; each comes with a ramp entrance (though the cruise line notes that cabanas are not wheelchair accessible). Everything You Need to Know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located about 62 miles from Nassau, the Bahamian capital on the island of New Providence. Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. NCL appears to be going more for a "luxury resort feel" plus great beach options - when the additions of a pool and actual resort features plus the pier do (hopefully) materialize, it will be interesting to compare the two islands and their 180 degree different approach to private island excursions. The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Really interesting. 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. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! You can enjoy some beach sports activities by engaging in a game of volleyball on the beach or listen to the DJ spinning some island music. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What's Not Included With a Great Stirrup Cay Cabana Rental, How to Book a Cabana on Great Stirrup Cay, What to Expect on a Cruise: Drink Packages on Cruises, 11 Reasons to Take Your Family on a P&O Cruise, Half Moon Cay vs. CocoCay: What These Cruise Line Private Islands Offer Cruisers, Harvest Caye Cabanas: 8 Reasons They're Worth a Splurge. The climate in Great Stirrup Cay is rainy and more humid in the summer (May to October) with 3.5 inches of rainfall per month. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. Additional food and drinks, beyond bottled water, fresh fruit and chips and salsa, will incur an extra charge, though you will receive a $50 credit to use toward beverages and food. Im so glad youre here! The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Great Stirrup Cay - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community A Classic Cabana is priced from $425 (all pricing is itinerary dependent) and accommodates up to six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. 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. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Did you notice if they made folks who brought their own snorkel gear rent a vest? Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. Great Stirrup Cay Port Review | ShermansTravel On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. Youll be able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph) while enjoying a birds-eye view of the island and the sparkling waters surrounding it. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Once everyones back on board, enjoy a slow cruise back to Great Stirrup Cay while enjoying island music and light refreshments, snacks and alcoholic beverages. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. (There are public facilities within walking distance.) Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. This video shows off the various. Hope you have a fantastic cruise! Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. They can still enjoy the rest of the ship but also have their own little spot. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? Visitors should note that current construction underway at the far end of the island near the lagoon is creating some noise and dust, so keep that in mind when selecting your cabana. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. The reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. The ships dining venues are open while the ship is anchored off the island, so if youre highly allergic or concerned about dietary restrictions, youll have better luck eating on the ship. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. At a height of 110 feet, you can soar up to 30 miles per hour to gain a whole new perspective of this private island oasis. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Manage Settings Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-4-0');If youd prefer to relax ON the water, you can rent a floating mat for $16 a day. Bahamas Cruises: Cruise to Bahamas | Norwegian Cruise Line . Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. Weve put together everything to know about the island. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. If youre really looking to relax in comfort on your Great Stirrup Cay beach day, you can rent a private cabana or villa for the day. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Cabana No. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. A specialty cabana menu is available featuring items such as a charcuterie platter, a seafood platter with chilled shrimp and lobster, sushi, as well as beer, wine and bottle service. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . So what can you expect from your visit? In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. Whichever beach you find yourself at, you are sure to have fun soaking in the sun and playing in the water. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. What all is there to do? Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! The menu still revolves around salads, grilled fare, and tropical fruits and desserts, but the options are fancier than at Jumbey and the presentation more sophisticated. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide, Everything about Norwegian Cruise Internet: Speed Test, Cost, and More, 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Full Ships! The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. There are a number of things you can do. Hope to visit it one day. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. Norwegian Private Island at Great Stirrup Cay: 8 Reasons to Visit However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval definition In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. All three lines are owned by the . . You should also get priority tendering with a villa, which is great when everyone's trying to get to the island - it can take hours to get all the passengers tendered over. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Its cash-only (US or Bahamian dollars) so be sure to bring cash for the market if you think you might want to do some shopping. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. Thanks for stopping by! Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Finally, if youve rented a Silver Cove villa for the day or have a spa treatment booked at the on-island Mandara Spa, you can enjoy a more upscale buffet experience at the Silver Cove Restaurant, located within the restricted-access area of the island. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. However, there are beautiful calms shallow waters right off the beach that provide a safe environment for swimming and snorkeling in the clear warm water. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. Grab a cold drink and enjoy your day, soaking in the sun in this beautiful place. Yes, since Great Stirrup Cay is run by the cruise line, almost everything is run just like on the cruise ship. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? Life can be so hectic that it's important to take some time to just relax and enjoy :D, Learning that an island is owned by a Cruise line is surprising. At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. Everything we know so far about NCLs newest ship: Norwegian Viva. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . Cruise ships visiting Great Stirrup Cay drop their anchor some distance away from the island as the waters are too shallow for large ships to come ashore. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from.
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