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. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. 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. These include: Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line; Perfect Day at Cococay - RCI; Castaway Cay - Disney and RCI; Ocean Cay Marine Reserve - MSC; Labadee, Haiti - RCI; Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large. Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. 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. Find a Cruise. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. 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. Everything You Need to Know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Hi Ronald, if you're on the fence about cabana vs. villa (and don't mind spending a bit more), I'd say go with the villa. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. Worth Reading: Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. Traveling with a guest who has celiac and want to know what choices might be available that are safe to eat. 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. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. This gives you fantastic views of the ship up close from the water with no obstructed views. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. Yes! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! It is a series of three flights starting 130 feet above ground from a replica lighthouse (not the historic real lighthouse on the island!) Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. That makes it extremely simple for passengers. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. 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. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. 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. 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. 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. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. Get up to 35,000 rewards points when you book a Celebrity cruise from this new AmEx offer. 17 Tips, Tricks and Things to Know About Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Yes! Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? The water there is about waist height. 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. It is home to a lush coconut plantation, an automated lighthouse (built-in 1863), white sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waters, and a wide variety of marine life. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. Great Stirrup Cay, cruises to Bahamas | MSC Cruises However, if you want more space to stretch out and relax, the minimal upcharge to the larger cabana offers a great value. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. You'll have your choice of 22 Cabanas on the Cay: 10 large cabanas situated on Cabana Beach, next to the main beach area, and which can fit up to eight people; and 12 small cabanas, accommodating up to six people each on Fiesta Beach. 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. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. Below, weve included the listing of activities and rentals from a recent cruise, along with prices: We mentioned above that Great Stirrup Cay is right next to CocoCay. Did you notice if they made folks who brought their own snorkel gear rent a vest? Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. If you want to have smaller crowds, head down the beach some, following the path to the other coves. 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. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. 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. Great Stirrup Cay. Really interesting. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Thanks for stopping by! One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. On shore youll find a wide range of activities, from ziplining to parasailing to snorkeling, along with beautiful sand, electric blue water, food, bars, and even villas (more details below). Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. Its a great way to start your visit to Great Stirrup Cay so get a pre-booked timed ticket to board or just wait for Open Tender when you can just turn up and hop aboard! The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. Best of all, they are free. 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. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. Top Hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220 - Expedia Yes, but only a little bit. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Inside the exclusive (and expensive) new beach retreat on this cruise Chairs are free. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. Stingray City Bahamas ($99/$79 kids): Not to be confused with the famous Stingray City off of Grand Cayman where you can feed wild rays, this excursion takes you on a speedboat ride to Stingray City Bahamas. 9. However, there are beautiful calms shallow waters right off the beach that provide a safe environment for swimming and snorkeling in the clear warm water. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. 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. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. 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. Great Stirrup Cay. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? You have entered an incorrect email address! There are bars near all three beaches including the Bacardi Bar and Patrons Bar. 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. 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. Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. 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. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Im so glad youre here! Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. 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. This such a rip off from NCL. Come back to the earth and go on a speedboat ride zooming past the coastline to Stingray City. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. While tenders run back and forth all day, youll need to wait in line on either end for boats to arrive and disembark passengers before you can board. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. The island looks beautiful! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. 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. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay vs. CocoCay - Cruise Critic Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. With any villa rental, youll also have access to the exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar, the Mot Bar, as well as the private beach at Silver Cove Lagoon (with its new overwater swings). Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. Unlike the cabanas, villas are fully enclosed, air-conditioned day rooms, with a sliding glass door to let in the breeze and a TV with complimentary on-demand movies. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). 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. 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. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. 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. Share Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. 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. All excursions are booked through NCL. She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. 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 final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. This actually is a big benefit to buying the package for cruises that visit the island. 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. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Great Stirupp Cay - The Berry Islands in The Bahamas

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