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. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. Didnt notice. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Define Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. If a soothing spa treatment is more your style, be sure to book a facial or massage at Mandara Spa in Silver Cove. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. For dessert, feast on rum cake and coconut fudge bars! Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. 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. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. 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. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. 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. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. The tour takes around 2 hours and includes the chance to snorkel in the crystal clear waters and enjoy the stunning underwater corals and reefs. I love the idea of a private island. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. What is included there? Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. were changing far more frequently. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. She was buried next to Captain Bertram. 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. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. This video shows off the various. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. 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. What all is there to do? Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. The new Silver Cove gated area is secluded at the far end of the cay, away from the main beach. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre (108 ha) [1] island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. Since its so easily accessible, its always the most crowded beach as well. Yes! (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) The zip-lines provide birds eye views of the island and surrounding ocean so keep your eyes open if you dare! 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. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. 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. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. Cabana and villa guests have a food truck option close to them called Tropic Like Its Hot. Bring cash (US dollars) as many local traders do not accept credit cards or stateroom passes. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). 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. Because flexibility matters. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. (which we all need to do more! The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! 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. For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Rent a Cabana Great Stirrup Cay Shore Excursions 4. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. However, you should bring anything you might want for a day at the beach, including things like your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Youre in for a pleasant surprise because Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island, is the ideal place foran idyllic beach getaway, with plenty to do and little hassle. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. 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. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. 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). Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Tenders run continually throughout the day so you can come and go from the island whenever you want. Umbrellas can be rented. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? 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. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. Youll want to bring all your beach day gear, including: Towels are provided on island, so you do not need to bring your own from the ship. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay! This unforgettable stingray encounter will cost $69 for an adult and $49 for a child.. Take a 2 hour Kayaking Tour around Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. 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. The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. 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. This reduces unnecessary delays. 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! 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. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. She uses her personal journals and memories to write about her many cruise experiences around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, trans-Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords, Panama Canal and South America including Cape Horn. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Thanks for stopping by! But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. 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. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. 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. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers.
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