Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. Catamaran & Snorkel ($79/$59 kids): A double-decker, covered snorkel boat will take you to a live coral reef where you can swim with native fish and marine life. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. I love the idea of a private island. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. 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. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. If you have an international plan on your phone, you should be able to access cellular data. Carry cash for the local market on the island; they dont take your ship stateroom card or credit card. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. 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. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. 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. The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. You can pull the curtains closed for privacy. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. (which we all need to do more! I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. Get ready to have a blast. 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. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. Prices have been skyrocked. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. 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. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. 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. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. Umbrellas can be rented. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. 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. Hope to visit it one day. Meals are cooked to order. 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. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide, Everything about Norwegian Cruise Internet: Speed Test, Cost, and More, 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Full Ships! . The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. 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. Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',602,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Food is complimentary on 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. 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. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) 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. Define Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval. Amenities are the same. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. Jump to content. 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. Behind the cabana, you'll find four floating mats for complimentary all-day use in the ocean and a private shower to rinse off, as well as your very own hammock. My thoughts? Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Are there an abundance of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent? It will list times and the location where you can pick up tender tickets. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large beachside cabanas, stocked with plenty of extras to make it a worthwhile splurge. Grab a cold drink and enjoy your day, soaking in the sun in this beautiful place. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Hugely disappointed with this line. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. You will have a brief safety instruction session before going into the shallow waters within a cove. These include: Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line; Perfect Day at Cococay - RCI; Castaway Cay - Disney and RCI; Ocean Cay Marine Reserve - MSC; Labadee, Haiti - RCI; Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! With that in mind, Ive been updating this Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay about every six months. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. 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. But the biggest price hikes have been with the luxury experiences in Silver Cove. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. 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. 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. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. 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. Treatment rooms open to the secluded beach on the north side of the lagoon. However, Norwegian is always updating the island and expanding its attractions, so perhaps a pool will make an appearance someday in the future. Its neighbors with Royal Caribbeans private island, Perfect Day at Cococay you can see that island from your ship and the largest Berry Island, Great Harbour Cay. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche.
March 11, 2023