There are lounge chairs and patio chairs on the deck for enjoying the sun. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. 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. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. Weve put together everything to know about the island. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. Find out everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas with things to do and tips. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. Enjoy the scenic views on this leisurely kayaking tour. Get ready to have a blast. Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. 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. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. Let me know in the comments below! Hope you have a fantastic cruise! However, once it is open tender, you dont need a reservation. . Read on for more information about each cabana to help you choose the right one for your group. When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. 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. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. 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. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? If you or one of your cruising group is unable to walk at all, tendering to the island might not be possible. 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. Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Yes, but only a little bit. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Ships planning to visit Great Stirrup Cay often will cancel during rough sea conditions because its a tender port. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre piece of paradise in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. The best snorkeling spots in Bertrams Cove are easily accessible from the main beach. Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. I love the idea of a private island. The close proximity means that any trip headed from Miami or going to The Bahamas will often have Great Stirrup Cay included as a port of call. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? If you have mobility issues, you can still enjoy the island. 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. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. Traveling with a guest who has celiac and want to know what choices might be available that are safe to eat. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. 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. 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. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. 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. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. 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. 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. The temperature averages a very pleasant 77F all year round. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. 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. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. 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. However, if you want more space to stretch out and relax, the minimal upcharge to the larger cabana offers a great value. Jump to content. This such a rip off from NCL. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Will keep an eye out next time! Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. 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. 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. 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. 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. We were considering getting a small cabana and splitting the cost between us and a friend who is also going. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. 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. 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). 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). 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.. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Each cabana now has. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. Amenities are the same. Wondering what more there is to do than hang out on the beach or zipline? 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. 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. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. 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. That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. 5 big changes you should know about coming to Norwegian Cruise Line in 2023, Comparing Norwegian Cruise Line sailings to Alaska in 2023, 17 kinds of cruises you didnt know Norwegian Cruise Lines offered. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). Where is Great Stirrup Cay Located? 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. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It?
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