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Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? 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. While not many details were mentioned, the guide did mention plans for a pier so that passengers can come and go as they please, and it was also mentioned that Great Stirrup Cay is much larger than CocoCay, giving them more options. Dont forget to check out these resources before your Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line: Have you visited Great Stirrup Cay on a Norwegian cruise? Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. Yes! 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. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. The northern part of the island has a sandy beach surrounded by rocks with snorkeling areas. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Find a Cruise. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. Happy Cruising!! They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. So there you have it! Get up to 35,000 rewards points when you book a Celebrity cruise from this new AmEx offer. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. 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. Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Your ships signal doesnt reach the island. As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. 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. The island is truly a Caribbean paradise with lots of tropical palm trees, colorful flowers and lush plants in this protected marine sanctuary. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. On shore youll find a wide range of activities, from ziplining to parasailing to snorkeling, along with beautiful sand, electric blue water, food, bars, and even villas (more details below). Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. 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. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). This 250+ acre retreat, which is in close proximity to Nassau, Bahamas, is reserved only for the company's cruise ships. 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers, Giada De Laurentiis Named Godmother of Oceania Cruises New Ship Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemaker Series, P&O Arvia Naming Ceremony Will Feature Olly Murs, Carnival Now Offering Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila Fleetwide, Princess Cruises Introduces Welcome Home Program, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/, Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise, Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise, Great Stirrup Cay Two Bedroom Family Suite Villa (https://youtu.be/PUDp-RaXOO0), 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know, Norwegians Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide, 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages, A photo ID (needs to be a valid drivers license if youre doing the wave runner tour), Tennis shoes for visiting the lighthouse or ziplining. Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. However, once it is open tender, you dont need a reservation. Each cabana now has. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. However, there are beautiful calms shallow waters right off the beach that provide a safe environment for swimming and snorkeling in the clear warm water. 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. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. There are a few sets around the island and you can get a pic with your toes dangling in the water. This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! There are also a number of covered areas with picnic tables for you to sit and eat. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). 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. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. 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. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. 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. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. Even walking among the palm trees and the vegetation of the Great Stirrup Cay is a fun and interesting experience. and the experience lasts about an hour. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. The reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Big cabanas are well-suited to large groups or families traveling together. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. 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. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. My thoughts? Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. 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. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Because flexibility matters. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. I love the idea of a private island. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. 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. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. 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. 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. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Let me know in the comments below! 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. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. If you want to have smaller crowds, head down the beach some, following the path to the other coves. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre piece of paradise in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. 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. What is included there? And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. Define Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. 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. Hugely disappointed with this line. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? ), Pam, I completely agree. 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. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. 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. With any villa rental, youll also have access to the exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar, the Mot Bar, as well as the private beach at Silver Cove Lagoon (with its new overwater swings). The cabanas are not air-conditioned and do not include private restrooms. 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. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. Food on Great Stirrup Cay is complimentary and there are three dining options to choose from: Jumbo Beach Grill is the largest and most popular buffet venue. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line 65.1K subscribers 58K views 1 year ago Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to. 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. All Rights Reserved. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. However, if you want more space to stretch out and relax, the minimal upcharge to the larger cabana offers a great value. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. They are two different islands. Its cash-only (US or Bahamian dollars) so be sure to bring cash for the market if you think you might want to do some shopping. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. 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. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. There are bars near all three beaches including the Bacardi Bar and Patrons Bar. 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. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Beach wheelchairs with massive inflatable tires are available for you to use for free. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. 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. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. Osprey Zipline ($79/$59 kids) Three easy flights: the first flight south is the tallest at 120 feet above the ground. 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. During our visit the open water had a slight chop, but the water near the beach was perfectly flat and calm. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. 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. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. 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. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! 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. 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. We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. And the free food definitely caught my attention. There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Hope you have a fantastic cruise! were changing far more frequently. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Cabana No. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. 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. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What's Not Included With a Great Stirrup Cay Cabana Rental, How to Book a Cabana on Great Stirrup Cay, What to Expect on a Cruise: Drink Packages on Cruises, 11 Reasons to Take Your Family on a P&O Cruise, Half Moon Cay vs. CocoCay: What These Cruise Line Private Islands Offer Cruisers, Harvest Caye Cabanas: 8 Reasons They're Worth a Splurge.