(which we all need to do more!
Great Stirupp Cay - The Berry Islands in The Bahamas So there you have it! Have more questions about visiting Great Stirrup Cay?
Great Stirrup Cay: Norwegian Cruise Line's private island gets a makeover Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. There are bars near all three beaches including the Bacardi Bar and Patrons Bar. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Beach wheelchairs are available on request.
Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? 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. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. Each cabana now has. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. SUP is easy to learn, and the staff will give you pointers before sending you out to paddle around Bertrams Cove. 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. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. Royal Caribbean recently spent about $250 million renovating their island, putting in everything from the Caribbeans largest pool to a waterpark with the tallest waterslide in North America. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. She passed away during the journey, and her husband hoped to make it to Key West for burial. As the busiest cruise season is from November through April, most cruises enjoy uninterrupted sunshine and very little rain. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. 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. 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. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. With the beach wheelchair, however, it should be much easier to navigate.
Great Stirrup Cay vs. CocoCay - Cruise Critic Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. Also located here is the grave of Elizabeth Hixson (1813-1838), a young woman from Virginia who was traveling by sea with her husband and daughter. Im so glad youre here! Enjoy a good swim or just float around on a float-pad (available for $16 for the day) from one of the shacks offering equipment rentals. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. This actually is a big benefit to buying the package for cruises that visit the island. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. But what have I noticed with my first 2023 update? Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. Norwegian Cruise Line uses very large tendering boats, and the trip only lasts 10 minutes long. The best snorkeling spots in Bertrams Cove are easily accessible from the main beach. The largest and most popular dining venue is the Jumbey Beach Grill, an open-air buffet venue serving grilled burgers and chicken and sides like corn on the cob, salad, fruit, and dessert. Read on for more information about each cabana to help you choose the right one for your group. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? Cabana No. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. Along with all the natural features there are $25 million of facilities and amenities that NCL has built on the island. The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. 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. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. There are a few sets around the island and you can get a pic with your toes dangling in the water. 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. The advantage of this location is your proximity to the main dining venue, Jumbey Beach Grill, as well as live music from the main stage. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. Nibble on fresh fruit and enjoy the soft ocean breezes from the plush sectional inside your very own private cabana on Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Great Stirrup Cay. The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. You hop on this smaller boat to motor to the island. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. If its been a few years since youve visited the private island, youll be amazed at how much its changed while still retaining its charm. Youll be able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph) while enjoying a birds-eye view of the island and the sparkling waters surrounding it. If youve been cruise shopping, then youve likely seen ads for Royal Caribbeans CocoCay. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. One note: You CANT bring any food with you between the ship and the island. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. Drink charges on Great Stirrup Cay work much as they do on board the ship. 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. You'll also discover that sometimes there will be a separate line for Suite or Haven guests to board the tenders when returning to the ship. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. Theres no service while youre on the beach so if you want to get in touch at home or post to social media about your day at the beach, youll need to wait until you go back aboard. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! 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. We were considering getting a small cabana and splitting the cost between us and a friend who is also going. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. And the free food definitely caught my attention. 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. Your must-haves for Great Stirrup Cay are pretty basic: I also recommend a few extras to make your day on the island more fun and comfortable: Remember when youre packing your beach bag to double-check that youve packed everything youll need for the day. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. Weve put together everything to know about the island. 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).
Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line - YouTube Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. You will have to bring your room card and photo ID. Tenders run continually throughout the day so you can come and go from the island whenever you want. 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. 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. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. 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. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Lagoon Two-Bedroom Villas start at $1,100 and accommodate 16 guests, with up to four additional guests charged at $49 each. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. 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. Because flexibility matters. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. Though both cabana types are situated at the farthest end of the island and face quieter beaches than the bustling main beach area, the smaller cabanas offer a slightly more laid-back experience. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. U.S. dollars are accepted.
NCL takes Great Stirrup Cay upscale at Silver Cove Let us know in the comments below. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? 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. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail.
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. 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. Life can be so hectic that it's important to take some time to just relax and enjoy :D, Learning that an island is owned by a Cruise line is surprising. 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 . Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. 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. 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. Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. Inside, there's a ceiling fan, a cushioned sectional-style couch, a mini-refrigerator and a table. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. 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.
Great Stirrup Cay Information Please! - Cruise Critic Community A Classic Cabana is priced from $425 (all pricing is itinerary dependent) and accommodates up to six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. You can enjoy some beach sports activities by engaging in a game of volleyball on the beach or listen to the DJ spinning some island music. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). 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. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay.
8 Cruise Line Private Islands You Must Escape To Hope you have a fantastic cruise! . Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. 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.. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. The new Silver Cove gated area is secluded at the far end of the cay, away from the main beach. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. Abaco Taco is a fun taco bar where you can load up your own taco with fish, chicken beef and all the toppings. I love the idea of a private island. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub.
20 Best Value Cruises to the Bahamas in January 2024 | GoToSea Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Keep this in mind when you ask crew members if you or your group member will be allowed to tender. There are also a number of covered areas with picnic tables for you to sit and eat. For the most part any spending you do on the island can be done on your cruise room key, just like you were on the ship. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Buffet: Starting at 11:30, there is a large buffet serving up a number of dishes, including burgers, dogs, pizza, salads, chicken, fruits, and a few other dishes. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! What did you think of the island? A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. On your return, snacks and complimentary adult beverages are available. Everything we know so far about NCLs newest ship: Norwegian Viva. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging.