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Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! 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. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. If you have your heart set on a day on this private island, you might want to consider booking your cruise outside of this season. One note: You CANT bring any food with you between the ship and the island. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Yes! 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. Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. 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. Head to the Stirrup Cay Marketplace and youll find a great choice of beachwear, Bahamian crafts and souvenirs. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. With the beach wheelchair, however, it should be much easier to navigate. 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. Here is a complete map of the island, provided from NCL: Norwegians island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. 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. Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. Though both cabana types are situated at the farthest end of the island and face quieter beaches than the bustling main beach area, the smaller cabanas offer a slightly more laid-back experience. 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. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. 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. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. Didn't book early enough? 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. What is included there? Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. Great questions, Courtney! Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. 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. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Read on for more information about each cabana to help you choose the right one for your group. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. Chairs are free. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. CocoCay Bahamas is a great choice for RCI's beach day experience, thanks to its natural beauty, proximity to several major cruise ports, and its sunny year-round climate . Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. Cabana No. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. Great Stirrup Cay. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! And the free food definitely caught my attention. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. If you have a beverage package for your cruise, it will work on the island as well. If you dont anticipate buying any souvenirs then you can leave your money on the ship. The same $15 per drink limit applies. Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. 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. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. 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. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. I believe that there is not, but not sure. Thanks for stopping by! Have more questions about visiting Great Stirrup Cay? 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. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) The climate in Great Stirrup Cay is rainy and more humid in the summer (May to October) with 3.5 inches of rainfall per month. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. These include a snorkel excursion on a catamaran boat, zip lining, wave runner tours, a stingray encounter, and a guided kayak tour in two-person kayaks. 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. Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. My thoughts? Will keep an eye out next time! Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. Does not include: Room service, mini bar purchases, vending machines; Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! 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. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Jump to content. 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. Wondering what more there is to do than hang out on the beach or zipline? The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. 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. 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. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. Yes, but only a little bit. 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. Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. Hope you have a fantastic cruise! Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. 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. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. Also located here is the grave of Elizabeth Hixson (1813-1838), a young woman from Virginia who was traveling by sea with her husband and daughter. The island looks beautiful! These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. 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. Along with all the natural features there are $25 million of facilities and amenities that NCL has built on the island. Define Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. GSC Villas sell out early because people want that luxury experienceand there are lots of us with pandemic cruise credits looking for a way to redeem our missed vacations. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . 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. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. Because flexibility matters. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. This 250+ acre retreat, which is in close proximity to Nassau, Bahamas, is reserved only for the company's cruise ships. Traveling with a guest who has celiac and want to know what choices might be available that are safe to eat. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long.