Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. 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. 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. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. Jump to content. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Life can be so hectic that it's important to take some time to just relax and enjoy :D, Learning that an island is owned by a Cruise line is surprising. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Rent a Cabana Great Stirrup Cay Shore Excursions 4. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. What is included there? You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. 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. The tour takes around 2 hours and includes the chance to snorkel in the crystal clear waters and enjoy the stunning underwater corals and reefs. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. When it comes to cruising, its hard to beat a port-of-call thats a private island. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. Enjoy the view of the islands coastline and the beautiful blue sea before the boat lands right on the beach where you can walk ashore. There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. There are a number of things you can do. Enjoy the scenic views on this leisurely kayaking tour. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. A Classic Cabana is priced from $425 (all pricing is itinerary dependent) and accommodates up to six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Bring cash (US dollars) as many local traders do not accept credit cards or stateroom passes. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Really interesting. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Treatment rooms open to the secluded beach on the north side of the lagoon. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Other bars in Great Stirrup Cay include the Lighthouse Bar and the Patrons Bar along with two private bars (Moet Bar and Silver Cove Bar) at the exclusive Silver Cove. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. Big cabanas are well-suited to large groups or families traveling together. Yes! The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Prices have been skyrocked. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. 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. Did you notice if they made folks who brought their own snorkel gear rent a vest? At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? The back story is that Great Stirrup Cay was bought from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and was the first island ever to be transformed into a private island cruise port for a cruise line. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. Youre in for a pleasant surprise because Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island, is the ideal place foran idyllic beach getaway, with plenty to do and little hassle. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! Chairs are free. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! Youll want to bring all your beach day gear, including: Towels are provided on island, so you do not need to bring your own from the ship. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. 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. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Hope you have a fantastic cruise! Food on Great Stirrup Cay is complimentary and there are three dining options to choose from: Jumbo Beach Grill is the largest and most popular buffet venue. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. 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. Finally, if youve rented a Silver Cove villa for the day or have a spa treatment booked at the on-island Mandara Spa, you can enjoy a more upscale buffet experience at the Silver Cove Restaurant, located within the restricted-access area of the island. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. With the beach wheelchair, however, it should be much easier to navigate. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. What did you think of the island? Manage Settings Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! 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 signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. 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. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. I was looking at some itineraries, and when do the ships stop there?? Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. All excursions are booked through NCL. The ships dining venues are open while the ship is anchored off the island, so if youre highly allergic or concerned about dietary restrictions, youll have better luck eating on the ship.
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