great stirrup cay what is included

Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide I noticed people kayaking there, but that was an excursion. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Jump to content. 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. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. 9. Thats a day where you dont get the full potential of the package despite having to pay for the service. Enjoy the scenic views on this leisurely kayaking tour. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. 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. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. Umbrellas can be rented. If you want to have smaller crowds, head down the beach some, following the path to the other coves. Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Great Stirrup Cay, cruises to Bahamas | MSC Cruises Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. Along with all the natural features there are $25 million of facilities and amenities that NCL has built on the island. One thing thats great about Great Stirrup Cay is that the land forms coves around the swimming area. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. 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. During our visit the open water had a slight chop, but the water near the beach was perfectly flat and calm. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. This 250+ acre retreat, which is in close proximity to Nassau, Bahamas, is reserved only for the company's cruise ships. 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. 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. 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. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. Get up to 35,000 rewards points when you book a Celebrity cruise from this new AmEx offer. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. 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. Animals: Variety of lizards, land crabs, iguanas,. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. 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. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. Great Stirrup Cay. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. 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. The ships activities staff will host activities, such as beach volleyball tournaments, water and beach games, dance classes, yoga, and more. Yes, all of the food service on the private island is included in your cruise fare, so you can fill your tummy care free. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. 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. Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. 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. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Carry cash for the local market on the island; they dont take your ship stateroom card or credit card. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. 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. 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). NCL appears to be going more for a "luxury resort feel" plus great beach options - when the additions of a pool and actual resort features plus the pier do (hopefully) materialize, it will be interesting to compare the two islands and their 180 degree different approach to private island excursions. So what can you expect from your visit? At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. Inside the exclusive (and expensive) new beach retreat on this cruise Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! 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. There are also a number of amenities, including a spa, restaurant, and a shuttle to take you back and forth from the tender ship dock. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. Enjoy a Boat Ride 2. While tenders run back and forth all day, youll need to wait in line on either end for boats to arrive and disembark passengers before you can board. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. 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. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. All three lines are owned by the . If you're planning a sailing here and want to know more, then here are 16 useful things to know about the island. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. Weve put together everything to know about the island. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What's Not Included With a Great Stirrup Cay Cabana Rental, How to Book a Cabana on Great Stirrup Cay, What to Expect on a Cruise: Drink Packages on Cruises, 11 Reasons to Take Your Family on a P&O Cruise, Half Moon Cay vs. CocoCay: What These Cruise Line Private Islands Offer Cruisers, Harvest Caye Cabanas: 8 Reasons They're Worth a Splurge. Cruising The Haven & Suites: Perks and Details (Part 2) - NCL Great Stirrup Cay. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. 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. 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. Everything You Need to Know about Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 2020 However, there are beautiful calms shallow waters right off the beach that provide a safe environment for swimming and snorkeling in the clear warm water. Treatment rooms open to the secluded beach on the north side of the lagoon. 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. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. ), Pam, I completely agree. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages Guide - Cruise Maven Best of all, they are free. These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. 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. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre (108 ha) [1] island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Come back to the earth and go on a speedboat ride zooming past the coastline to Stingray City. 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. Other bars in Great Stirrup Cay include the Lighthouse Bar and the Patrons Bar along with two private bars (Moet Bar and Silver Cove Bar) at the exclusive Silver Cove. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. My husband and I are snorkelers. 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. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? Im so glad youre here! At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line - YouTube Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. Where is Great Stirrup Cay Located? Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Guests who sign up for a spa treatment have an added perkaccess to the private lagoon and Silver Coves restaurant and bars, normally reserved for those renting a villa. 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. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! 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 . Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. 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. 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. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. If youve never seen it in person, you will from the cruise ship. Great Stirrup Cay: Norwegian Cruise Line's private island gets a makeover Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. However, if you want more space to stretch out and relax, the minimal upcharge to the larger cabana offers a great value. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. 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. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. The close proximity means that any trip headed from Miami or going to The Bahamas will often have Great Stirrup Cay included as a port of call. The island looks beautiful! They can still enjoy the rest of the ship but also have their own little spot. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. 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. Are there an abundance of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent? Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Want to really get away from the crowds? What did you think of the island? This such a rip off from NCL. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. Swim With the Pigs ($149/$109 kids): Yes, you can swim with pigs during your visit to Great Stirrup Cay!

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