Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. 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. Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. Great Stirrup Cay - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',602,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Food is complimentary on Great Stirrup Cay! 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. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The Great Stirrup Cay is an extension of the ship, so you can pay for drinks, tours, and rentals with your cruise card. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. 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. 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 reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. During our visit, the lines were running constantly with people zooming back and forth. Jumbey Beach Grill is the largest dining venue, offering barbecue-style food in a buffet setting. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. 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). She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. Great Stirupp Cay - The Berry Islands in The Bahamas Find a Cruise. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! She was buried next to Captain Bertram. Find out everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas with things to do and tips. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. Norwegian's island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. These beautifully designed cabanas feature a large L-shaped couch, a mini-fridge, ceiling fan, four lounge chairs on the porch area, four floating pads, fresh towel supply, snacks, a bowl of fresh fruit, dedicated waiter service, an extra $50 credit for food and a private shower on the back. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. 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. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. There are a number of things you can do. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. 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. Best of all, they are free. 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. With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. Take a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour at Great Stirrup Cay, Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know, Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors, https://www.cruisehive.com/author/gillian, UK Cruise Line to Remove Requirements on Sailings From May, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock. Your ships signal doesnt reach the island. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! Come back to the earth and go on a speedboat ride zooming past the coastline to Stingray City. On Norwegian cruise ships, guests looking for luxury have The Haven an exclusive part of the ship that separate from the rest of their guests. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. There are some areas, but not sure if they are off-limits or not to just snorkel on your own. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. However, Norwegian is always updating the island and expanding its attractions, so perhaps a pool will make an appearance someday in the future. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! Yes! These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Prices for this trip are US $65 for adults and $45 for children aged 8+. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? 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. When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. (There are public facilities within walking distance.) The Ultimate Guide To Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas In 2020 If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. The best snorkeling spots in Bertrams Cove are easily accessible from the main beach. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? There are also a number of amenities, including a spa, restaurant, and a shuttle to take you back and forth from the tender ship dock. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. 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. Amenities are the same. Those who have paid to enjoy the Silver Cove experience have their own exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar with an upscale buffet including lobster tail and jumbo shrimp. I love the idea of a private island. Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. The island looks beautiful! Does not include: Room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines; Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. 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. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. 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 ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. 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. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know (2023) - Cruise Hive Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. All three lines are owned by the . Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre (108 ha) [1] island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Everything we know so far about NCLs newest ship: Norwegian Viva. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. 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. 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. 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. Osprey Zipline ($79/$59 kids) Three easy flights: the first flight south is the tallest at 120 feet above the ground. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). Great Stirrup Cay, cruises to Bahamas | MSC Cruises Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. Get up to 35,000 rewards points when you book a Celebrity cruise from this new AmEx offer. Visitors should note that current construction underway at the far end of the island near the lagoon is creating some noise and dust, so keep that in mind when selecting your cabana. I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. The rainiest time of year in the Berry Islands is June through September, with the islands seeing 4-6 inches (10-16 cm) of rain per month.
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