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Great Stirrup Cay - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community 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. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. 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. The swimming area is the most protected of all the coves, and the beach is stunning, with overwater swings for a photo op and a gazebo overlooking the sea. Will keep an eye out next time! (which we all need to do more! Norwegian Private Island at Great Stirrup Cay: 8 Reasons to Visit That means you can enjoy a relaxing day with no worriesabout aggressive vendors or sharing the sand with a bunch of strangers. The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Its an open-air shelter with comfortable indoor/outdoor seating and comes with four complimentary floating mats. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It is dry and sunny in the winter season. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. The middle beach, known as Cabana Beach, has private cabanas for rent on a raised, hilly area on the beach. 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. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. Food on Great Stirrup Cay is complimentary and there are three dining options to choose from: Jumbo Beach Grill is the largest and most popular buffet venue. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. 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. On Great Stirrup Cay youll have three options for ziplining: the Osprey Zipline, the Seahawk Zipline, or a combo package that lets you ride both. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? On Norwegian cruise ships, guests looking for luxury have The Haven an exclusive part of the ship that separate from the rest of their guests. NCL used to offer tram service for transporting cruisers from the tender point to their cabanas, but currently it is not offering that service. 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. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. You pay for drinks with your cruise card as you would onboard. 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. Great Stirrup Cay. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. 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. Luxury cabana rentals are ideal for small groups and families of 8-10 guests. Wondering what more there is to do than hang out on the beach or zipline? The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large beachside cabanas, stocked with plenty of extras to make it a worthwhile splurge. (Though why youd spend a day on a beautiful beach watching movies is beyond us!). 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. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. 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). Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. 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! If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. Many visitors choose to just relax on the beach during their visit to the private island, and theres plenty of beautiful sand for everyone! Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, nor sailings that are two (2) days or less. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Cabanas have a front porch and include comfortable furnishings, side tables and bottled water. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. At that time, when youre ready to go to Great Stirrup Cay, just walk down to the gangway deck and climb aboard the tender. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! Most of this has to do with supply and demand. 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. Does anyone know if the food choices on Great Stirrup Cay include gluten-free items? On most ports of call the drink package does not work when off the ship. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. One note: You CANT bring any food with you between the ship and the island. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. 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. Great Stirrup Cay is an . However, Norwegian is always updating the island and expanding its attractions, so perhaps a pool will make an appearance someday in the future. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Alternatively, head out to the rocks in the water for a climb and more sunbathing. 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. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Although it was manned for many years, it's currently timed and solar-powered. Its cash-only (US or Bahamian dollars) so be sure to bring cash for the market if you think you might want to do some shopping. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. Jumbey Beach Grill is the largest dining venue, offering barbecue-style food in a buffet setting. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Those who have paid to enjoy the Silver Cove experience have their own exclusive Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar with an upscale buffet including lobster tail and jumbo shrimp. There are also shuttles that will take you right to Silver Cove and back. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. Share Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. Book snorkel equipment from Susans Rock Snorkel Center for the day ($30 for adults and $15 for children) and snorkel at this beautiful spot as much as you want. Meals are cooked to order. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. However, drink packages do not work at Harvest Caye, Belize. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. 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. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. 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. This idyllic island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and was the first uninhabited island ever to be turned into a private cruise port. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. The days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. Great Stirrup Cay. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. There are no manmade swimming pools at Great Stirrup Cay. Try. 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. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? 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. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. You can make your reservation online, booking it as a shore excursion. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Check out the new Silver Cove (more on this below). January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). And theyre usually a lot less crowded! If you want to be sure of the best spots in shady areas, you need to arrive early or rent a clamshell (around $30 per day) to keep out of the sun. were changing far more frequently. Great Stirrup Cay, cruises to Bahamas | MSC Cruises The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Tenders run continually throughout the day so you can come and go from the island whenever you want. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. Package can be used in onboard restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. It is named after the British naval commander who settled on Great Stirrup Cay in the 18th century. It is part of the Berry Islands, 140 miles east of Miami, Florida and between Great Harbour Cay and RCIs private CocoCay, formerly Little Stirrup Cay.