All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. 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. Grab a cold drink and enjoy your day, soaking in the sun in this beautiful place. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! There are bars near all three beaches including the Bacardi Bar and Patrons Bar. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. Where is Great Stirrup Cay Located? 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. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. You hop on this smaller boat to motor to the island. Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. 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. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. You wont have to deal with crowds, and it could be a perfect day of relaxation when the pool deck, restaurants, and bars are almost empty. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. 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. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. 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. Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. 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. Happy Cruising!! Visiting the Key West Lighthouse and Museum. The island looks beautiful! 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. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large. 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 is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. 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. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Its a fantastic destination and port of call for lucky cruisers with NCL. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! Umbrellas can be rented. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. From a general overview of what to expect all the way down to nitty-gritty details, this guide to Great Stirrup Cay will make you a pro before you even set foot on its white sandy beaches. Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. 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. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. 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. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. 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. 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. Thanks for stopping by! We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large beachside cabanas, stocked with plenty of extras to make it a worthwhile splurge. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. This such a rip off from NCL. 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. And theyre usually a lot less crowded! That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. 9. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? 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. Prices are as of 2022, so expect about a 10-15% increase from last years pricing: Kayak Tour ($59/$39 kids): Away from the crowds, youll join a group to paddle your two-person kayak in the waters south of Great Stirrup Cay. Want to really get away from the crowds? There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. You'll also discover that sometimes there will be a separate line for Suite or Haven guests to board the tenders when returning to the ship. Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. What all is there to do? There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. 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. All three lines are owned by the . You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Great Stirrup Cay is situated in the Bahamas and is included in a number of itineraries for Norwegian Cruise Line. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. Share Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! Food Truck/Abaco Taco: There are two other spots on the island Abaco Taco (a build your own taco bar) and a food truck called Tropic Like Its Hot (pictured above) serving up some dishes that you wont find anywhere else on Great Stirrup Cay. 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. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. Hugely disappointed with this line. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials.