Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line 65.1K subscribers 58K views 1 year ago Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to. 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! There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. NCL, like many other cruise lines, reserves the right to deny boarding of their tenders to guests who cant enter or exit the boat on foot. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. This video shows off the various. For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. It features 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas, a Mandara Spa, a Mot & Chandon Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. There are a number of things you can do. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. 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. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Best of all, they are free. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. 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. 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. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Keep in mind the only other people in this area will be those whove booked villas, so its a bit quieter than the rest of the island. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. 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). If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Dont forget to check out these resources before your Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line: Have you visited Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise? Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. Great Stirrup Cay is an extension of the ship, so you can pay for drinks, tours, and rentals with your cruise card. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. 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. As of 2023, there are 14 ships featuring itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay: When I first published this post about Great Stirrup Cay in 2020 (yup, I actually cruised to GSC in mid-February 2020 right before the world shut down) I planned to update the info about Great Stirrup Cay I had gathered for my readers about once a year. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. 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. 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. Why a cruise lanyard is the best travel accessory, Why you should always use a travel agent to book a cruise, Water shoes to protect your feet from rocks and coral, Book, magazine, music-playing device and headphones, or other entertainment, Sand toys, beach balls, and other beach-day sports gear. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. 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. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. Great Stirrup Cay. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). Vegetarian main dishes are limited on the island, and cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed if youre concerned about gluten, nuts, or other allergens. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. 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. 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). Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Didnt notice. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. 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. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! The close proximity means that any trip headed from Miami or going to The Bahamas will often have Great Stirrup Cay included as a port of call. Bertrams Beach is the main beach where tenders arrive and depart. This such a rip off from NCL. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Unlike the Carnival Cheers Program which limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, NCL's drink packages are truly unlimited. Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Manage Settings Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. The cabanas are not air-conditioned and do not include private restrooms. Yes, since Great Stirrup Cay is run by the cruise line, almost everything is run just like on the cruise ship. Beach wheelchairs with massive inflatable tires are available for you to use for free. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. 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. . Will keep an eye out next time! Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Wondering what more there is to do than hang out on the beach or zipline? Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. Norwegian Cruise Line Internet Packages and Prices, Club Orange, Holland America's Priority Program, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, 6 Cruise Memories That Will Warm Your Heart, Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Large Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Private Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. Royal Caribbean recently spent about $250 million renovating their island, putting in everything from the Caribbeans largest pool to a waterpark with the tallest waterslide in North America. However, you should bring anything you might want for a day at the beach, including things like your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. 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. It's included as a day stop on many Norwegian sailings in the region and gets occasional visits from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises ships. Most hotels are fully refundable. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. 23K views 6 months ago Join the legend and molly as they show you around great stirrup cay which is norwegian cruise line's private island in the bahamas. It will list times and the location where you can pick up tender tickets. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Abaco Taco is a fun taco bar where you can load up your own taco with fish, chicken beef and all the toppings. Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. 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. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. There are many species of birds including gulls and sanderlings, lizards, crabs and small island creatures that you are bound to catch a glimpse of, once in a while. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. 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. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. Osprey Zipline ($79/$59 kids) Three easy flights: the first flight south is the tallest at 120 feet above the ground. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? Try. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. I noticed people kayaking there, but that was an excursion. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. On the drinks end, there are five bars on the island, starting with the very energetic Bacardi Bar where you can hang out and listen to music as well as enjoy a drink. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. 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. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. Im so glad youre here! Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. 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. Once everyones back on board, enjoy a slow cruise back to Great Stirrup Cay while enjoying island music and light refreshments, snacks and alcoholic beverages. Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. 5 big changes you should know about coming to Norwegian Cruise Line in 2023, Comparing Norwegian Cruise Line sailings to Alaska in 2023, 17 kinds of cruises you didnt know Norwegian Cruise Lines offered.