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. These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. 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). The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Great Stirrup Cay is an extension of the ship, so you can pay for drinks, tours, and rentals with your cruise card. A specialty cabana menu is available featuring items such as a charcuterie platter, a seafood platter with chilled shrimp and lobster, sushi, as well as beer, wine and bottle service. 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. Is there a private or designated section for Haven 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). From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. Try. One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. Norwegian's island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. Having recently been to Coco Cay in 2019, and seeing what is on Great Stirrup Cay, I have no desire whatsoever to visit it at this point. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! My husband and I are snorkelers. 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. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. 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. . Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Are there an abundance of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent? Ships sailing to the private island include: Ships from Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, make the occasional stop at Great Stirrup Cay, as well. 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. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? 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. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. Step up and get a dog as a snack to hold you over, or as your meal. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Let us know in the comments below. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. 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. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. This 250-acre island in the Bahamas was the first to be purchased by a cruise line ( Norwegian Cruise Line bought it in in 1977) and remains a private paradise. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre piece of paradise in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. Enjoy the scenic views on this leisurely kayaking tour. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. 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. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. There are some areas, but not sure if they are off-limits or not to just snorkel on your own. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. U.S. dollars are accepted. Book snorkel equipment from Susans Rock Snorkel Center for the day ($30 for adults and $15 for children) and snorkel at this beautiful spot as much as you want. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? The zip-lines provide birds eye views of the island and surrounding ocean so keep your eyes open if you dare! Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. Yes, but only a little bit. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. 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. 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. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? If you're planning a sailing here and want to know more, then here are 16 useful things to know about the island. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. 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. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. They are two different islands. 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. Peak hurricane period in the Bahamas lasts from early August until late October. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. 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. For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. The island is a little unique in that you dont have a big pier (just yet) that the ship docks at to let passengers off. This applies even at Tender ports. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? 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. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. 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. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! The islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. The same $15 per drink limit applies. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. 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. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. Really interesting. 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. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. Visiting the Key West Lighthouse and Museum. These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. What is included there? Im so glad youre here! Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. 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. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Any details would be appreciated. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? 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. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. It features 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas, a Mandara Spa, a Mot & Chandon Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar. Lounge on the sparkling beaches or go for a walk and wade into the warm turquoise sea. Since this is a private cruise port, dont expect to go on excursions on your own, or to contract private tour operators, as there are none. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. Beach wheelchairs with massive inflatable tires are available for you to use for free. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. The warmest months are July and August, where highs average 91F (33C). My thoughts? Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. This reduces unnecessary delays. 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. 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. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Its a fantastic destination and port of call for lucky cruisers with NCL. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. Prices have been skyrocked. What did you think of the island? 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. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located about 62 miles from Nassau, the Bahamian capital on the island of New Providence. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. Great Stirrup Cay is an . 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. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island.