GitHub export from English Wikipedia. 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. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. 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. 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). Didn't book early enough? A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. 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. Great Stirrup Cay - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community Live music with a Caribbean flair is played by local musicians at the bandstand directly across from the main beach at Bertrams Cove. CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Each cabana now has. 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. Alternatively, head out to the rocks in the water for a climb and more sunbathing. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Also, if you need a shower to wash off the sand and the salt, there are showers on the sides of the restrooms that are free to use. Your ships signal doesnt reach the island. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. It is part of the Berry Islands, 140 miles east of Miami, Florida and between Great Harbour Cay and RCIs private CocoCay, formerly Little Stirrup Cay. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. Great Stirrup Cay, cruises to Bahamas | MSC Cruises Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. All excursions are booked through NCL. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. 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. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. 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. Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. The island looks beautiful! Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. 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; 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. If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. Great Stirrup Cay. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. 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. Beach wheelchairs are available on request. 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. 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. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. 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. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. Inside the exclusive (and expensive) new beach retreat on this cruise Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? 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. 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. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. If you have mobility issues, you can still enjoy the island. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. You wont have to deal with crowds, and it could be a perfect day of relaxation when the pool deck, restaurants, and bars are almost empty. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? 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. 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. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Drinks are charged to your stateroom pass unless you have a drinks package in which case, just like onboard ship, your drinks are free. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. Just like the cabanas on the island, NCL allows two extra guests over the stated capacity, with an upcharge of $35 per person for the smaller villas, and $49 per person for the one- and two-bedroom villas. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. 16 Secrets To Know About Great Stirrup Cay - Cruise Mummy This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. The reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. That makes it extremely simple for passengers. 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. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Im so glad youre here! With that in mind, Ive been updating this Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay about every six months. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. 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. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). Best of all, they are free. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. Ive never heard of this place before! If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. Really interesting. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Great Stirrup Cay - Wikipedia Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Read on for more information about each cabana to help you choose the right one for your group. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know (2023) - Cruise Hive 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. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. 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. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. Here are the Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions for 2023: Wave Runner Tour (from $139): This 45-minute personal watercraft tour through the Berry Islands will let you see area highlights like the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, Slaughter Harbor, and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. I love the idea of a private island. The same $15 per drink limit applies. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? 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. Or am I missing something? Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. 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. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. You have entered an incorrect email address! When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. Your must-haves for Great Stirrup Cay are pretty basic: I also recommend a few extras to make your day on the island more fun and comfortable: Remember when youre packing your beach bag to double-check that youve packed everything youll need for the day. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. 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. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. Great Stirrup Cay - NCL's Private Island in the Bahamas 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! Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. and the experience lasts about an hour. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. 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. 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. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. 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. 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. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas, offers gorgeous white sand beaches, water sports and activities, and a variety of restaurants and bars. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). 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. This service is generally at . You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Amenities are the same. Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It? GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available.