It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. 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. SUP is easy to learn, and the staff will give you pointers before sending you out to paddle around Bertrams Cove. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The island is truly a Caribbean paradise with lots of tropical palm trees, colorful flowers and lush plants in this protected marine sanctuary. Great questions, Courtney! Whether you love social media of just want a nice snapshot, there are a ton of photo opportunities around Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! Unlike the Carnival Cheers Program which limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, NCL's drink packages are truly unlimited. So what can you expect from your visit? Additional water equipment beyond the floating mats (such as snorkeling masks or stand-up paddle-boards), as well as beach umbrellas or shaded clamshell-style beach loungers, must be rented for an additional charge. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. 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. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. ), Pam, I completely agree.
Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay (2023) - Should Be Cruising On Norwegian cruise ships, guests looking for luxury have The Haven an exclusive part of the ship that separate from the rest of their guests. You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. 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. Great Stirrup Cay is located in the BahamasBerry Islands chain. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? Remember to wear good water shoes, however. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Get up to 35,000 rewards points when you book a Celebrity cruise from this new AmEx offer. Beach wheelchairs are available on request. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun.
Great Stirupp Cay - The Berry Islands in The Bahamas Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. There, guests can interact with and feed tame stingrays in an enclosed area offshore. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. 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. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. The island has two courses featuring six zips and a ropes course of cargo nets, chimney climbs, and V net bridges. Weve put together everything to know about the island. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year.
Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. Hi Ronald, if you're on the fence about cabana vs. villa (and don't mind spending a bit more), I'd say go with the villa. A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies. 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. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. Grab a cold drink and enjoy your day, soaking in the sun in this beautiful place. My thoughts? Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. 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.. Drinks are charged to your stateroom pass unless you have a drinks package in which case, just like onboard ship, your drinks are free. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. The warmest months are July and August, where highs average 91F (33C). To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. 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. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. Ive never heard of this place before! No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');Cruisers visiting Great Stirrup Cay for the day have a range of activities to choose from, and the island offers something for every activity level and budget. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. 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. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Finally, if youve rented a Silver Cove villa for the day or have a spa treatment booked at the on-island Mandara Spa, you can enjoy a more upscale buffet experience at the Silver Cove Restaurant, located within the restricted-access area of the island. (which we all need to do more! Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. were changing far more frequently. There are a number of things you can do. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. 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. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach.
Umbrellas can be rented. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on 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. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. 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. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. 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. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? with respect to the mortgage by Great Stirrup Cay Limited over Great Stirrup Cay Island, (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as practicable after receipt of the Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval with respect to Great Stirrup Cay Limited and the Supplemental Security Agent Central Bank Approval, with respect . A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. If you have a shore excursion that departs from the dock on the south side of the island, shuttles will take you to and from that location. CocoCay is literally the next island over and you can see it right from the ship. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. Prices for this trip are US $65 for adults and $45 for children aged 8+. Beach wheelchairs with massive inflatable tires are available for you to use for free. Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? 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. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. 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. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! They can still enjoy the rest of the ship but also have their own little spot. 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. If you dont anticipate buying any souvenirs then you can leave your money on the ship. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. 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).
NCL takes Great Stirrup Cay upscale at Silver Cove The zip-lines provide birds eye views of the island and surrounding ocean so keep your eyes open if you dare! Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. They are slightly larger than the Ocean Villas and are located on the lagoon.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know (2023) - Cruise Hive That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? 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.