Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. And the free food definitely caught my attention. 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. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. Osprey Zipline ($79/$59 kids) Three easy flights: the first flight south is the tallest at 120 feet above the ground. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. 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. Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. 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. What all is there to do? 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 noticed people kayaking there, but that was an excursion. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. 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. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. were changing far more frequently. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) And theyre usually a lot less crowded! The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. These include: Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line; Perfect Day at Cococay - RCI; Castaway Cay - Disney and RCI; Ocean Cay Marine Reserve - MSC; Labadee, Haiti - RCI; 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. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Great Stirrup Cay was the first cruise line private island when it was acquired back in the 1970's, but it has come a long way since then. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. 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. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. 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! Hope you have a fantastic cruise! You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. 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 a number of things you can do. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. 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. 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. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. . To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of 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. Unlike the cabanas, villas are fully enclosed, air-conditioned day rooms, with a sliding glass door to let in the breeze and a TV with complimentary on-demand movies. These include a snorkel excursion on a catamaran boat, zip lining, wave runner tours, a stingray encounter, and a guided kayak tour in two-person kayaks. 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. 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. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. 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). with respect to the mortgage by Great Stirrup Cay Limited over Great Stirrup Cay Island, (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as practicable after receipt of the Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval with respect to Great Stirrup Cay Limited and the Supplemental Security Agent Central Bank Approval, with respect . Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? It is home to a lush coconut plantation, an automated lighthouse (built-in 1863), white sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waters, and a wide variety of marine life. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. 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. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. If you dont anticipate buying any souvenirs then you can leave your money on the ship. All Rights Reserved. The new Silver Cove gated area is secluded at the far end of the cay, away from the main beach. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. When it comes to cruising, its hard to beat a port-of-call thats a private island. The water there is about waist height. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. There are bars near all three beaches including the Bacardi Bar and Patrons Bar. 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. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. 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. Cabana No. 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. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! 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. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. My thoughts? A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Its neighbors with Royal Caribbeans private island, Perfect Day at Cococay you can see that island from your ship and the largest Berry Island, Great Harbour 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. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. This guided trip will start with a boat ride out to Treasure Island, where guests get a full safety briefing before entering the water. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. 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. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? This service is generally at . Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. Great Stirrup Cay. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. 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. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. Enjoy a good swim or just float around on a float-pad (available for $16 for the day) from one of the shacks offering equipment rentals. Worth Reading: Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! If you have a shore excursion that departs from the dock on the south side of the island, shuttles will take you to and from that location. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. 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. The same $15 per drink limit applies. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. Even if youre not a dancer, its fun to watch the high-energy staff interact with guests (who may or may not have had a couple of rum cocktails). There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? Ive never heard of this place before! These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. Really interesting. Even walking among the palm trees and the vegetation of the Great Stirrup Cay is a fun and interesting experience. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Enjoy the view of the islands coastline and the beautiful blue sea before the boat lands right on the beach where you can walk ashore. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Beach wheelchairs are available on request. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. The island looks beautiful! Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas was the first private island to be purchased by a cruise line in the 1970's, however, it has come a long way in becoming a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the exclusivity of Norwegian cruise line passengers. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. This applies even at Tender ports. 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. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. 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. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. What did you think of the island? Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. 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. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. 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. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. 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. Didn't book early enough? These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Umbrellas can be rented. If youre looking for some out-of-the-ordinary things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, I have a couple of fun recommendations for you, especially if you enjoy history. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. While tenders run back and forth all day, youll need to wait in line on either end for boats to arrive and disembark passengers before you can board. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. 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. The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay.