CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, offers gorgeous white sand beaches, water sports and activities, and a variety of restaurants and bars. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! This video shows off the various. Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Big cabanas are well-suited to large groups or families traveling together. Find a Cruise. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. The improvements at Great Stirrup Cay also included the rebuilding of the island's 22 private cabanas, which are available for rent starting at $299 for a group of six. I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? U.S. dollars are accepted. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). Average Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit Vegetation: Coconut Palm; Sea Grape, and the beautiful Bougainvillea are among the abundant regional foliage. You hop on this smaller boat to motor to the island. That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. 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. This unforgettable stingray encounter will cost $69 for an adult and $49 for a child.. Take a 2 hour Kayaking Tour around Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. 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. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! With the beach wheelchair, however, it should be much easier to navigate. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. 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. This guided trip will start with a boat ride out to Treasure Island, where guests get a full safety briefing before entering the water. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Great Stirrup Cay is situated in the Bahamas and is included in a number of itineraries for Norwegian Cruise Line. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? When we visited in late November and found the water cool. They are two different islands. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. 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. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . (which we all need to do more! Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. The island looks beautiful! Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. 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. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. Yes! Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? This applies even at Tender ports. Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. On shore youll find a wide range of activities, from ziplining to parasailing to snorkeling, along with beautiful sand, electric blue water, food, bars, and even villas (more details below). In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. 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. 70 Fun Things to Do on the Ship, Norwegian Cruise Line Sharply Raises Service Charges Again (Up to 25%), 25+ Fun Must-Do Things on a Norwegian Cruise, 29 Must-Have Things to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise (11 Youd Never Think Of), Carnival Is Fixing a MAJOR Issue With Sailing from Galveston, Princess Cruise Gratuity (Tips) Full Guide: How Much, How They Work, and More, Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies, 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 Youd Never Think Of). The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. This actually is a big benefit to buying the package for cruises that visit the island. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! If you have a beverage package for your cruise, it will work on the island as well. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. I noticed people kayaking there, but that was an excursion. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. I think I'd volunteer for that job if I worked for the cruise line :D Next time I go I'll see if I can get the scoop. With any villa rental, youll also have access to the exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar, the Mot Bar, as well as the private beach at Silver Cove Lagoon (with its new overwater swings). After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. 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. There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. 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. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. And lastly, remember to wear good water shoes. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. 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. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. 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. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Step up and get a dog as a snack to hold you over, or as your meal. What did you think of the island? 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! However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun.
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