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. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. Because flexibility matters. Great Stirrup Cay was the first cruise line private island when it was acquired back in the 1970's, but it has come a long way since then. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. Top Hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220 - Expedia 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. In 2015, commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line for innovative work on their private island in Bahamas. 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 we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. wikipedia.en/Great_Stirrup_Cay.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en Great Stirrup Cay Port Review | ShermansTravel Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. 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. It is home to a lush coconut plantation, an automated lighthouse (built-in 1863), white sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waters, and a wide variety of marine life. If you want to purchase something here, then bring a little bit of cash. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. 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. Norwegian Expects 103% Occupancy Rate in 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Good Deal? Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. 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. Drinks are charged to your stateroom pass unless you have a drinks package in which case, just like onboard ship, your drinks are free. Hope you have a fantastic cruise! 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). Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. My husband and I are snorkelers. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. While not many details were mentioned, the guide did mention plans for a pier so that passengers can come and go as they please, and it was also mentioned that Great Stirrup Cay is much larger than CocoCay, giving them more options. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. 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. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. The zip-lines provide birds eye views of the island and surrounding ocean so keep your eyes open if you dare! Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. 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. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. 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. Only one person from your party should make the reservation. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. Inside the exclusive (and expensive) new beach retreat on this cruise Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The Lagoon One-Bedroom Villas start at $899 and accommodate 10 guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. This reduces unnecessary delays. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. 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. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. Really interesting. Will keep an eye out next time! Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. 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. As a result, in 1863, the British Imperial Lighthouse Service erected the lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. Each cabana now has. 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. So what can you expect from your visit? Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. Cruising The Haven & Suites: Perks and Details (Part 2) - NCL Treatment rooms open to the secluded beach on the north side of the lagoon. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. What did you think of the island? Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! These grant you access to a private beach, bars, and restaurant, and come with fresh fruit, snacks, chilled drinks, and food and beverage service. You can rent snorkel equipment for the day ($37/adult, $22/child) but we prefer to pack our own full-face snorkel masks. Remember to wear good water shoes, however. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. This lighthouse was originally constructed in 1863 by theBritish Imperial Lighthouse Service. Chairs are free. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. 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. There are a number of things you can do. All you have to do is look for the teal buildings. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. Glide smoothly along the coastline enjoying the scenery and spotting fish and marine life beneath the water, while maintaining your balance on this fitness ride. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? 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. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. 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.. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. Again, no specific details were mentioned, but it gave the impression that there could be some big changes to the island in the coming years. However, part of NCLs improvement plan for the future includes a swimming pool complex and water features including a lazy river. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. Bars on GSC that are open to all guests include the Patrn Bar, Bertrams Bar, Bacardi Bar, and the Lighthouse Beach Bar. Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. 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? Norwegian purchased the island outright in 1986. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');You may notice some Royal Caribbean ships as you approach the island. It could be, however, they also let Haven passengers in as well. Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Step up and get a dog as a snack to hold you over, or as your meal. It is a series of three flights starting 130 feet above ground from a replica lighthouse (not the historic real lighthouse on the island!) Bring cash (US dollars) as many local traders do not accept credit cards or stateroom passes. 8 Cruise Line Private Islands You Must Escape To One other great spot is the tender that takes you back and forth from the ship. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Tropic Like Its Hot Food Trucks small menu features sandwiches including Mahi Mahi and BBQ pulled pork, ceviche, and grilled spiced chicken breast. Stingray City Bahamas ($99/$79 kids): Not to be confused with the famous Stingray City off of Grand Cayman where you can feed wild rays, this excursion takes you on a speedboat ride to Stingray City Bahamas. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. If you're planning a sailing here and want to know more, then here are 16 useful things to know about the island. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. 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. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. 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. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre piece of paradise in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. 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. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. CRUISES TO GREAT STIRRUP CAY ISLAND - Norwegian Cruise Line The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre (108 ha) [1] island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. The island looks beautiful! The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Let me know in the comments below! Write a Review; Boards; Log In Log Out; Deals. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. You wont find splash pads, playgrounds, kid pools, or water slides. Worth Reading: Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors. With any villa rental, youll also have access to the exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar, the Mot Bar, as well as the private beach at Silver Cove Lagoon (with its new overwater swings).