About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? 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. Great Stirrup Cay is one of the ports of call on your Norwegian Cruise Line, but you can't find the island on a map. 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. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. 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. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. 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. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. You can enjoy some beach sports activities by engaging in a game of volleyball on the beach or listen to the DJ spinning some island music. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. If you or one of your cruising group is unable to walk at all, tendering to the island might not be possible. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. 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 is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. Didnt notice. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. Yes! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Nibble on fresh fruit and enjoy the soft ocean breezes from the plush sectional inside your very own private cabana on Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. The best snorkeling spots in Bertrams Cove are easily accessible from the main beach. And the free food definitely caught my attention. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. . Really interesting. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. 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. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. Each cabana now has. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Your Great Stirrup Cay cabana will be stocked with towels, fresh fruit, chips and salsa, and bottled water, and you can order additional food and drinks to be delivered directly to your doorstep by a cabana attendant. Inside, there's a ceiling fan, a cushioned sectional-style couch, a mini-refrigerator and a table. The smaller-sized Cabanas on the Cay are located just west of their larger counterparts on Fiesta Beach, considered by some to be quieter and more laid-back than Cabana Beach, which is closer to the action and the crowds. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. with respect to the mortgage by Great Stirrup Cay Limited over Great Stirrup Cay Island, (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as practicable after receipt of the Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval with respect to Great Stirrup Cay Limited and the Supplemental Security Agent Central Bank Approval, with respect . If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. 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. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! 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. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. 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). These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! 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. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. Amenities are the same. Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. 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. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. 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. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? This is always the case at Great Stirrup Cay, which features a Red Carpet area to the left of the main gathering area at the tender docks. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. Cabana No. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. 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! The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. Get ready to have a blast. 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. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Great questions, Courtney! Try. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. . There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. 9. If you have mobility issues, you can still enjoy the island. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Enjoy the scenic views on this leisurely kayaking tour. 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. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. Yes, since Great Stirrup Cay is run by the cruise line, almost everything is run just like on the cruise ship. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? NCL appears to be going more for a "luxury resort feel" plus great beach options - when the additions of a pool and actual resort features plus the pier do (hopefully) materialize, it will be interesting to compare the two islands and their 180 degree different approach to private island excursions. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. 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. Buffet: Starting at 11:30, there is a large buffet serving up a number of dishes, including burgers, dogs, pizza, salads, chicken, fruits, and a few other dishes. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. 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. Only one person from your party should make the reservation. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Bertrams Beach is the main beach where tenders arrive and depart. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. When it comes to cruising, its hard to beat a port-of-call thats a private island. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. I believe that there is not, but not sure. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. It features 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas, a Mandara Spa, a Mot & Chandon Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar. You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. You have entered an incorrect email address! When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup 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. 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. 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. Grill: Right near the buffet is a spot where staff cooks up jerk chicken and other goodies that you can get fresh off the grill. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The largest and most popular dining venue is the Jumbey Beach Grill, an open-air buffet venue serving grilled burgers and chicken and sides like corn on the cob, salad, fruit, and dessert. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. And I really dont care all that much for Cruising now, after been doing so since the early 90s and watching the food quality deteriorate over the years and even more so recently. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the island from the Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and developed it into a private island for their cruise ship passengers. The reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. 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. And theyre usually a lot less crowded! There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. All excursions are booked through NCL. Great Stirrup Cay is an . 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.
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