The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. Finally, the Tropic Like Its Hot Food Truck has tasty Bahamian-style sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled Pork as well as ceviche and spicy chicken. Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. If you're planning a sailing here and want to know more, then here are 16 useful things to know about the island. . This reduces unnecessary delays. The menu still revolves around salads, grilled fare, and tropical fruits and desserts, but the options are fancier than at Jumbey and the presentation more sophisticated. 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. So there you have it! (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). Why a cruise lanyard is the best travel accessory, Why you should always use a travel agent to book a cruise, Water shoes to protect your feet from rocks and coral, Book, magazine, music-playing device and headphones, or other entertainment, Sand toys, beach balls, and other beach-day sports gear. Each cabana includes a deck in the front with landscaping surrounding it; each comes with a ramp entrance (though the cruise line notes that cabanas are not wheelchair accessible). Abaco Taco is a fun taco bar where you can load up your own taco with fish, chicken beef and all the toppings. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. Unlike the Carnival Cheers Program which limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, NCL's drink packages are truly unlimited. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! 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. SUP is easy to learn, and the staff will give you pointers before sending you out to paddle around Bertrams Cove. 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. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. Didnt notice. 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. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? 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. 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. Take a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour at Great Stirrup Cay, Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know, Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors, https://www.cruisehive.com/author/gillian, UK Cruise Line to Remove Requirements on Sailings From May, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. 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. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. 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. The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. 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. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. The water there is about waist height. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. Lagoon Villas start at $799 and accommodate eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Will keep an eye out next time! 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. The cabanas are not air-conditioned and do not include private restrooms. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. Great Stirrup Cay. Jump to content. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? 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. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. On Great Stirrup Cay youll have three options for ziplining: the Osprey Zipline, the Seahawk Zipline, or a combo package that lets you ride both. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. RCL has hit a home run with Coco Cay, and while it may be smaller, it doesnt seem so, and it feels like it was laid out to perfection. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! Traveling with a guest who has celiac and want to know what choices might be available that are safe to eat. 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.. 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. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. Yes, but only a little bit. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. Everything we know so far about NCLs newest ship: Norwegian Viva. There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. That makes it extremely simple for passengers. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. 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. And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: 9. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. 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. Where is Great Stirrup Cay Located? If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. Norwegian purchased the island outright in 1986. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');You may notice some Royal Caribbean ships as you approach the island. Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. (which we all need to do more! Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. 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. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. 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. 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. However, Norwegian is always updating the island and expanding its attractions, so perhaps a pool will make an appearance someday in the future. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The new Silver Cove gated area is secluded at the far end of the cay, away from the main beach. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. 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. Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! This applies even at Tender ports. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? Any details would be appreciated. This such a rip off from NCL. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. Located at Bertrams Cove, this garden offers snorkelers something to keep them busy with underwater statues of mermaids, sea creatures, fountains and urns. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. For the most part any spending you do on the island can be done on your cruise room key, just like you were on the ship. The northern part of the island has a sandy beach surrounded by rocks with snorkeling areas. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! The improvements at Great Stirrup Cay also included the rebuilding of the island's 22 private cabanas, which are available for rent starting at $299 for a group of six. Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. 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. 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. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? Manage Settings 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. At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. 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. 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. 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). It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. If you have mobility issues, you can still enjoy the island. CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Spa therapists will work their magic while you relax to the song of the oceans waves. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. Want to really get away from the crowds? Thanks for stopping by! Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. 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. 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! So what can you expect from your visit? 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. Cabanas on the Cay book up fairly quickly, several months in advance of a cruise, so early booking is strongly recommended. The temperature averages a very pleasant 77F all year round. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. Yes! Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. 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. This 250+ acre retreat, which is in close proximity to Nassau, Bahamas, is reserved only for the company's cruise ships. Wondering what more there is to do than hang out on the beach or zipline? 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. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. They are slightly larger than the Ocean Villas and are located on the lagoon. 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. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area.
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