This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. 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. Everything You Need to Know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Want to really get away from the crowds? Rentals of beach gear and private cabanas are also handled by the shore excursions desk. Only one person from your party should make the reservation. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. 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. Great Stirrup Cay - NCL's Private Island in the Bahamas Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. This gives you fantastic views of the ship up close from the water with no obstructed views. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. She was buried next to Captain Bertram. Each fully-furnished villa features air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a patio. Yes, but only a little bit. That makes it extremely simple for passengers. 9. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. As of 2023, there are 14 ships featuring itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay: When I first published this post about Great Stirrup Cay in 2020 (yup, I actually cruised to GSC in mid-February 2020 right before the world shut down) I planned to update the info about Great Stirrup Cay I had gathered for my readers about once a year. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. 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. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. 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. 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. 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. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. 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. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. You have entered an incorrect email address! Find a Cruise. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. 8 Cruise Line Private Islands You Must Escape To Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. All three lines are owned by the . Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? 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. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! You get the chance to feed and interact with these porkers and have a photo op before relaxing with a drink on the observation deck and watching the fun. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. This is always the case at Great Stirrup Cay, which features a Red Carpet area to the left of the main gathering area at the tender docks. 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. . Even the people working at the straw market dont live herethey take the ferry over from nearby Great Harbour Cay. 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. 23K views 6 months ago Join the legend and molly as they show you around great stirrup cay which is norwegian cruise line's private island in the bahamas. What did you think of the island? Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. 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? We were considering getting a small cabana and splitting the cost between us and a friend who is also going. There are many species of birds including gulls and sanderlings, lizards, crabs and small island creatures that you are bound to catch a glimpse of, once in a while. Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. When I was researching the little cemetery, I learned that when Elizabeth's husband buried her on the island he met two men of African descent, assumed to be former slaves, living on the island. Tip: If your Bahamas cruise also stops in Freeport, I recommend the Swim With The Pigs excursion that NCL offers thereyou can take unlimited photos and video at no additional charge. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. This applies even at Tender ports. 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. Any details would be appreciated. You'll have your choice of 22 Cabanas on the Cay: 10 large cabanas situated on Cabana Beach, next to the main beach area, and which can fit up to eight people; and 12 small cabanas, accommodating up to six people each on Fiesta Beach. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. This is also the best place to shop for that perfect gift to take to your friend or family back at home that you wont find anywhere else. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. And I really dont care all that much for Cruising now, after been doing so since the early 90s and watching the food quality deteriorate over the years and even more so recently. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. Yes! 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. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. Visiting the Key West Lighthouse and Museum. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. It will list times and the location where you can pick up tender tickets. This reduces unnecessary delays. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. Great Stirrup Cay Information Please! - Cruise Critic Community Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? 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.