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The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. 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. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. 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. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. Umbrellas can be rented. The advantage of this location is your proximity to the main dining venue, Jumbey Beach Grill, as well as live music from the main stage. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. During our visit the open water had a slight chop, but the water near the beach was perfectly flat and calm. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. Didnt notice. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. 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. 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. The new Silver Cove gated area is secluded at the far end of the cay, away from the main beach. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. The smaller-sized Cabanas on the Cay are located just west of their larger counterparts on Fiesta Beach, considered by some to be quieter and more laid-back than Cabana Beach, which is closer to the action and the crowds. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. The tour offers both single as well as two-person wave runners. The island is a little unique in that you dont have a big pier (just yet) that the ship docks at to let passengers off. Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? This is for laid-back folks looking for a relaxing tour around the beautiful island waters of the Berry Islands aboard a modern double-decker catamaran. If you want to be sure of the best spots in shady areas, you need to arrive early or rent a clamshell (around $30 per day) to keep out of the sun. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. I love the idea of a private island. Amenities are the same. 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. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. 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. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! They are two different islands. Chairs are free. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Guests who sign up for a spa treatment have an added perkaccess to the private lagoon and Silver Coves restaurant and bars, normally reserved for those renting a villa. 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. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? So there you have it! 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. Did you notice if they made folks who brought their own snorkel gear rent a vest? 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. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. . ), Pam, I completely agree. 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. 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 . Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. Norwegian's island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Find a Cruise. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. 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. 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. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. 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. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. Yes! On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. Ive never heard of this place before! Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. Weve put together everything to know about the island. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. Step up and get a dog as a snack to hold you over, or as your meal. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Want to really get away from the crowds? One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. Any details would be appreciated. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on 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. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! 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. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. While not many details were mentioned, the guide did mention plans for a pier so that passengers can come and go as they please, and it was also mentioned that Great Stirrup Cay is much larger than CocoCay, giving them more options. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. When I was researching the little cemetery, I learned that when Elizabeth's husband buried her on the island he met two men of African descent, assumed to be former slaves, living on the island. 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. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers.