About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Remember to wear good water shoes, however. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. CRUISES TO GREAT STIRRUP CAY ISLAND - Norwegian Cruise Line Additional water equipment beyond the floating mats (such as snorkeling masks or stand-up paddle-boards), as well as beach umbrellas or shaded clamshell-style beach loungers, must be rented for an additional charge. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Cabanas on the Cay book up fairly quickly, several months in advance of a cruise, so early booking is strongly recommended. The .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}cabanas are open-air style with an open wall facing the beach and windows on each side. On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. And theyre usually a lot less crowded! Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. NCL, like many other cruise lines, reserves the right to deny boarding of their tenders to guests who cant enter or exit the boat on foot. Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. 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. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay (2023) - Should Be Cruising 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. Enjoy a good swim or just float around on a float-pad (available for $16 for the day) from one of the shacks offering equipment rentals. Bahamas Cruises: Cruise to Bahamas | Norwegian Cruise Line We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Hugely disappointed with this line. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. I believe that there is not, but not sure. You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. Only one person from your party should make the reservation. 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. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! It will list times and the location where you can pick up tender tickets. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. Worth Reading: Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. 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. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. 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 islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. 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. There are a few sets around the island and you can get a pic with your toes dangling in the water. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. She uses her personal journals and memories to write about her many cruise experiences around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, trans-Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords, Panama Canal and South America including Cape Horn. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. 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. 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. Each cabana now has. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. Your Guide to Great Stirrup Cay Cabanas - Cruise Critic The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. 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. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? Ive never heard of this place before! If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. 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. 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. 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. Life can be so hectic that it's important to take some time to just relax and enjoy :D, Learning that an island is owned by a Cruise line is surprising. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Glide smoothly along the coastline enjoying the scenery and spotting fish and marine life beneath the water, while maintaining your balance on this fitness ride. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. This such a rip off from NCL. 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. Meals are cooked to order. Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? 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. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. Try. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. All three lines are owned by the . Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. Hope you have a fantastic cruise! However, you should bring anything you might want for a day at the beach, including things like your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! You should also get priority tendering with a villa, which is great when everyone's trying to get to the island - it can take hours to get all the passengers tendered over. The warmest months are July and August, where highs average 91F (33C). For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know (2023) - Cruise Hive Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). U.S. dollars are accepted. 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. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. Have your underwater camera ready to take water selfies with the shoals of fish that hang out at the garden You may also spot lobsters, crabs and shrimps, peering out from the holes and cracks in the statues. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed.