great stirrup cay what is included
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. 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. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. 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 . However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. 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. Because flexibility matters. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. During our visit, the lines were running constantly with people zooming back and forth. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. 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. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. 17 Tips, Tricks and Things to Know About Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's The same $15 per drink limit applies. Great questions, Courtney! Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. 9. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. What did you think of the island? and the experience lasts about an hour. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? ), Pam, I completely agree. I recommend taking an inexpensive waterproof pouch that you can hang around your neck. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay are three powder-soft white sandy beaches. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! These beautifully designed cabanas feature a large L-shaped couch, a mini-fridge, ceiling fan, four lounge chairs on the porch area, four floating pads, fresh towel supply, snacks, a bowl of fresh fruit, dedicated waiter service, an extra $50 credit for food and a private shower on the back. 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. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. Happy Cruising!! If you dont anticipate buying any souvenirs then you can leave your money on the ship. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. 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. 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. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful fish in warm turquoise waters. 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. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. 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. 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. Classic Cabanas are located on Fiesta Beach, closest to the Silver Cove villas. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. This 1 hour course includes a series of six ziplines, net bridges, and other challenge obstacles. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. The zip-lines provide birds eye views of the island and surrounding ocean so keep your eyes open if you dare! Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. 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. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. 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. Check them out: NCL went the extra mile and created a concrete underwater sculpture garden as part of their upgrades. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! wikipedia.en/Great_Stirrup_Cay.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en 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. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. 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. For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. Each cabana includes a deck in the front with landscaping surrounding it; each comes with a ramp entrance (though the cruise line notes that cabanas are not wheelchair accessible). Are there places on the back side of the island that are an out of the way place for snorkeling? The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-4-0');If youd prefer to relax ON the water, you can rent a floating mat for $16 a day. However, if you want more space to stretch out and relax, the minimal upcharge to the larger cabana offers a great value. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. I love visiting the ports and spending long days exploring, but private islands are a nice break from the busier days. All Rights Reserved. Come back to the earth and go on a speedboat ride zooming past the coastline to Stingray City. Is Great Stirrup Cay an island designated to NCL? My husband and I are snorkelers. NCL takes Great Stirrup Cay upscale at Silver Cove You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Read more: Why You Need a Full Face Snorkel Mask for Your Next Cruise. 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. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, the 250-acre Great Stirrup Cay is an exclusive destination for NCL passengers. Smaller boats, known as tenders, ferry passengers to and from the island. Beach wheelchairs are available on Great Stirrup Cay, free of charge. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. Yes! Share However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. Prices start at $105 for adults and $85 for children aged 6 and above. 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. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. Having recently been to Coco Cay in 2019, and seeing what is on Great Stirrup Cay, I have no desire whatsoever to visit it at this point. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the island from the Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and developed it into a private island for their cruise ship passengers. Great Stirrup Cay is one of the ports of call on your Norwegian Cruise Line, but you can't find the island on a map. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. The Ocean Villas are adjacent to the cabana area and front Fiesta Beach, not the Silver Cove Lagoon. Villa guests can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, chilled water, and a menu of on-demand movies.