12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers, Giada De Laurentiis Named Godmother of Oceania Cruises New Ship Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemaker Series, P&O Arvia Naming Ceremony Will Feature Olly Murs, Carnival Now Offering Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila Fleetwide, Princess Cruises Introduces Welcome Home Program, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/, Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise, Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise, Great Stirrup Cay Two Bedroom Family Suite Villa (https://youtu.be/PUDp-RaXOO0), 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know, Norwegians Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide, 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages, A photo ID (needs to be a valid drivers license if youre doing the wave runner tour), Tennis shoes for visiting the lighthouse or ziplining. Will keep an eye out next time! Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Beach wheelchairs are available on request. 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. On Great Stirrup Cay youll have three options for ziplining: the Osprey Zipline, the Seahawk Zipline, or a combo package that lets you ride both. This is also the best place to shop for that perfect gift to take to your friend or family back at home that you wont find anywhere else. Great Stirrup Cay is one of the ports of call on your Norwegian Cruise Line, but you can't find the island on a map. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. 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. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Alternatively, head out to the rocks in the water for a climb and more sunbathing. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Finally, the Tropic Like Its Hot Food Truck has tasty Bahamian-style sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled Pork as well as ceviche and spicy chicken. Have your underwater camera ready to take water selfies with the shoals of fish that hang out at the garden You may also spot lobsters, crabs and shrimps, peering out from the holes and cracks in the statues. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. Cabana No. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. 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. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Yes! 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. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay. Manage Settings It is dry and sunny in the winter season. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! 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. Get ready to have a blast. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. U.S. dollars are accepted. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. 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. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. Ive never heard of this place before! Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. So what can you expect from your visit? She uses her personal journals and memories to write about her many cruise experiences around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, trans-Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords, Panama Canal and South America including Cape Horn. You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. 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. Lagoon Villas start at $799 and accommodate eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? 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. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Other bars in Great Stirrup Cay include the Lighthouse Bar and the Patrons Bar along with two private bars (Moet Bar and Silver Cove Bar) at the exclusive Silver Cove. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. Just like the cabanas on the island, NCL allows two extra guests over the stated capacity, with an upcharge of $35 per person for the smaller villas, and $49 per person for the one- and two-bedroom villas. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). Food on Great Stirrup Cay is complimentary and there are three dining options to choose from: Jumbo Beach Grill is the largest and most popular buffet venue. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. Read on for more information about each cabana to help you choose the right one for your group. At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. until the early 19th century. Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line 65.1K subscribers 58K views 1 year ago Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. They are two different islands. 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. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. 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. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. 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 doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. RCL has hit a home run with Coco Cay, and while it may be smaller, it doesnt seem so, and it feels like it was laid out to perfection. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! 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. Again, no specific details were mentioned, but it gave the impression that there could be some big changes to the island in the coming years. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. The largest and most popular dining venue is the Jumbey Beach Grill, an open-air buffet venue serving grilled burgers and chicken and sides like corn on the cob, salad, fruit, and dessert. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. Yes, since Great Stirrup Cay is run by the cruise line, almost everything is run just like on the cruise ship. Only one person from your party should make the reservation. 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? For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. In addition, your drinks package includes beverages purchased on the island (subject to the same limits and restrictions as onboard), so you dont need to shell out extra for a beer or cocktail on the beach. What all is there to do? Try. I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? Your must-haves for Great Stirrup Cay are pretty basic: I also recommend a few extras to make your day on the island more fun and comfortable: Remember when youre packing your beach bag to double-check that youve packed everything youll need for the day. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. Book snorkel equipment from Susans Rock Snorkel Center for the day ($30 for adults and $15 for children) and snorkel at this beautiful spot as much as you want. Buffet: Starting at 11:30, there is a large buffet serving up a number of dishes, including burgers, dogs, pizza, salads, chicken, fruits, and a few other dishes. You have entered an incorrect email address! You hop on this smaller boat to motor to the island. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) Beach wheelchairs with massive inflatable tires are available for you to use for free. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. Inside, there's a ceiling fan, a cushioned sectional-style couch, a mini-refrigerator and a table. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Yes, but only a little bit. If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. Head to the Stirrup Cay Marketplace and youll find a great choice of beachwear, Bahamian crafts and souvenirs. The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. Hugely disappointed with this line. Find out everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas with things to do and tips. I love the idea of a private island. Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. Additional water equipment beyond the floating mats (such as snorkeling masks or stand-up paddle-boards), as well as beach umbrellas or shaded clamshell-style beach loungers, must be rented for an additional charge. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. 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. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. 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. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. Didnt notice. 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. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. 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. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. One note: You CANT bring any food with you between the ship and the island. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. Whichever beach you find yourself at, you are sure to have fun soaking in the sun and playing in the water. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. With your cabana reservation, your party will receive priority tender tickets, which allow you to disembark the ship quickly so that you can maximize your beach time. Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. Your Great Stirrup Cay cabana will be stocked with towels, fresh fruit, chips and salsa, and bottled water, and you can order additional food and drinks to be delivered directly to your doorstep by a cabana attendant. Come back to the earth and go on a speedboat ride zooming past the coastline to Stingray City. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. 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. Weve put together everything to know about the island. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . 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. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. Hope to visit it one day. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." However, you should bring anything you might want for a day at the beach, including things like your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. and the experience lasts about an hour. It's included as a day stop on many Norwegian sailings in the region and gets occasional visits from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises ships. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. The islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Island Zipline Adventure ($119/$85 kids) A combination of the Osprey Zipline plus the Seahawk Zipline for a total of six zips plus a series of V-net bridges, chimney climbs, and cargo nets. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. 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. 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. Umbrellas can be rented. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. Want to really get away from the crowds? Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. 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. You get the chance to feed and interact with these porkers and have a photo op before relaxing with a drink on the observation deck and watching the fun. 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. Keep in mind the only other people in this area will be those whove booked villas, so its a bit quieter than the rest of the island. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures.

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