We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. All three lines are owned by the . 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. Have your underwater camera ready to take water selfies with the shoals of fish that hang out at the garden You may also spot lobsters, crabs and shrimps, peering out from the holes and cracks in the statues. GSC Villas sell out early because people want that luxury experienceand there are lots of us with pandemic cruise credits looking for a way to redeem our missed vacations. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line Internet Packages and Prices, Club Orange, Holland America's Priority Program, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, 6 Cruise Memories That Will Warm Your Heart, Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Large Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Private Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. Bertrams Cove Beach, the main beach on the island, is the largest and closest to the tender dock. I'd like to know more about life on the island for the employees who stay there, too! 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What Is a Cabana on a Cruise Ship or Private Island? 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. Cabana No. So there you have it! And the free food definitely caught my attention. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Pick them up at Mat and Float Rentals, across from Bertrams Cove Beach. They also offer desserts: rum cake and coconut fudge bars. What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. Find out everything you need to know about Norwegian Cruise Line's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas with things to do and tips. There is a bar close to the cabanas, so you are never too far away to quench your thirst with chilled island drinks. Expect lively dancing from the ships entertainment staff, especially at the Bacardi Bar! For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. This reduces unnecessary delays. 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. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. The expansive outdoor patio features several padded lounge chairs, outdoor couch, and a dining table for eight. 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? Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. 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. 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers, Giada De Laurentiis Named Godmother of Oceania Cruises New Ship Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemaker Series, P&O Arvia Naming Ceremony Will Feature Olly Murs, Carnival Now Offering Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila Fleetwide, Princess Cruises Introduces Welcome Home Program, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/, Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise, Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise, Great Stirrup Cay Two Bedroom Family Suite Villa (https://youtu.be/PUDp-RaXOO0), 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know, Norwegians Free at Sea: The Ultimate Guide, 2020 Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Packages, A photo ID (needs to be a valid drivers license if youre doing the wave runner tour), Tennis shoes for visiting the lighthouse or ziplining. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, offers gorgeous white sand beaches, water sports and activities, and a variety of restaurants and bars. This video shows off the various. Worth Reading: Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know. 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. Im so glad youre here! There arent any lockers available on the island for passengers to secure their valuables. There are also a number of covered areas with picnic tables for you to sit and eat. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. SUP is easy to learn, and the staff will give you pointers before sending you out to paddle around Bertrams Cove. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. 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. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. 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. One of the newest attractions at GSC is the ziplining course. 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. The coolest months are from December to February, with temperatures averaging 81-86F, occasionally dropping as low as 66F in a cold snap. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. Youll no doubt see the new replica lighthouse that NCL uses for ziplining, since its in a very central location. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. This actually is a big benefit to buying the package for cruises that visit the island. 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. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. Its completely run by Norwegian Cruise Lines for the enjoyment of its guests. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. 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. This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. 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! Ive never heard of this place before! Didn't book early enough? To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large. The cabanas are not air-conditioned and do not include private restrooms. I love the idea of a private island. Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Once everyones back on board, enjoy a slow cruise back to Great Stirrup Cay while enjoying island music and light refreshments, snacks and alcoholic beverages. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. 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. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. 9. All excursions are booked through NCL. Meals are cooked to order. Even our most recent cruise this fall to Disneys Castaway Cay left us a bit disappointed by comparison. Leased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and later purchased outright in 1986, Great Stirrup Cay is a private 268-acre island oasis. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. 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. The same $15 per drink limit applies. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. In fact, its very likely youll see a Royal Caribbean ship right next door when you visit Great Stirrup Cay. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. This applies even at Tender ports. 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. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. Youll have to pay extra to do them, but the views you get are second-to-none. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and jerk chicken are popular, along with pizza, salads, and corn-on-the-cob. Yes! Thanks in advance for any ideas/guidance! The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. This is entirely for the safety of guests as well as the safety of crew members who assist people entering and exiting tenders. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. 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. There are some areas, but not sure if they are off-limits or not to just snorkel on your own. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. 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. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. CocoCay Bahamas is a great choice for RCI's beach day experience, thanks to its natural beauty, proximity to several major cruise ports, and its sunny year-round climate . Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests.