Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. Really interesting. Great Stirrup Cay, just like most cruise stops in the Caribbean, enjoys a warm tropical temperature throughout the year. Although the station was manned for many years, the light is currently fully-automated and solar-powered. If you dont mind being a little farther away from most amenities, keep walking and youll find Cabana Beach and then Fiesta Beach. 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 days soundtrack is provided by DJs and live bands at the Bacardi Bar or the bandstand. Great Stirrup Cay | Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line 65.1K subscribers 58K views 1 year ago Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. Ive never heard of this place before! These are only accessible to Villa guests and those booking a treatment at the Mandara Spa. Ocean Villas start at $699 and accommodate six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Starting from the 110-foot (33.5 m) replica lighthouse, the new course features 2935 feet (895 m) of zipline! Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. 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? On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? Take a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour at Great Stirrup Cay, Disneys Castaway Cay, Bahamas: What You Need to Know, Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors, https://www.cruisehive.com/author/gillian, UK Cruise Line to Remove Requirements on Sailings From May, Worlds Largest Cruise Ship Oversold for Spring Break, Carnival Cruise Ship Will Offer Transatlantic Voyage After Dry Dock. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. There are also electrical outlets for charging your electronics. Souvenirs are available at the Berried Treasures Bazaar, a straw market run by local Bahamians. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) 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. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. The warmest months are from May to October, which typically enjoy highs of between 86F- 90F with gentle breezes. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. Relax on Great Stirrup Cay Beaches 3. That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. She was buried next to Captain Bertram. For the most part any spending you do on the island can be done on your cruise room key, just like you were on the ship. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. If youre really looking to relax in comfort on your Great Stirrup Cay beach day, you can rent a private cabana or villa for the day. 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. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. If you want to have smaller crowds, head down the beach some, following the path to the other coves. Chairs are free. Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre (108 ha) [1] island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Any food or drinks (we have UBP)? Whichever beach you find yourself at, you are sure to have fun soaking in the sun and playing in the water. The best snorkeling spots in Bertrams Cove are easily accessible from the main beach.
Great Stirrup Cay - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami.
NCL takes Great Stirrup Cay upscale at Silver Cove if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');Cruisers visiting Great Stirrup Cay for the day have a range of activities to choose from, and the island offers something for every activity level and budget. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! The island is truly a Caribbean paradise with lots of tropical palm trees, colorful flowers and lush plants in this protected marine sanctuary.
Cruising The Haven & Suites: Perks and Details (Part 2) - NCL Here are the Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions for 2023: Wave Runner Tour (from $139): This 45-minute personal watercraft tour through the Berry Islands will let you see area highlights like the Lighthouse at Great Stirrup Cay, Slaughter Harbor, and the abandoned island community of Cistern Cay. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. If its been a few years since youve visited the private island, youll be amazed at how much its changed while still retaining its charm. 11 is a highly requested small cabana for its ideal location near the bar, beach and bathroom. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. The water there is about waist height. 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. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Great Stirrup Cay is an . A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas.
The Ultimate Guide To Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas In 2020 On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. 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. You can rent an open-air cabana on the island, starting at $449 for a Classic Cabana that will accommodate six people. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. 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. 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. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. There are so many things to do on Great Stirrup Cay, whether you want an active day or just some relaxation! It has a large seating area and a raised stage for the DJs booth who churns out some cool island tunes. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove.
Great Stirrup Cay vs. CocoCay - Cruise Critic Remember to wear good water shoes, however. The same $15 per drink limit applies. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. 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. These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. Classic Cabanas are near Fiesta Beach, and Premier Cabanas are located close to Cabana Beach. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) The staff youll meet during the day on Great Stirrup Cay come over from the ship. 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. 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. U.S. dollars are accepted. At about 2 long by a half-mile wide, its decently sized but only a portion of the island is developed for cruise passengers. When you leave the ship you will scan your card so that crew knows who is on and off the ship. You have entered an incorrect email address! Its a great way to start your Great Stirrup Cay visit in style with a party mood. Best of all, they are free. 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. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. (which we all need to do more! Ziplining is a big draw and youll see the lines criss-crossing the entire island. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. For something different, belly up to the Abaco Taco bar for Mexican food made to order. 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! To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. Weve put together everything to know about the island. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. My thoughts? From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. The first and largest cove is by far the most popular with people as its right by the landing for the tender boats. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. The tour offers both single as well as two-person wave runners. 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. The ships dining venues are open while the ship is anchored off the island, so if youre highly allergic or concerned about dietary restrictions, youll have better luck eating on the ship. They helped him find the spot next to Captain Bertrand's grave. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. Check out beautiful paintings, wooden carvings, clothing, woven items, jewelry and sculptures to take home. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. If you dont anticipate buying any souvenirs then you can leave your money on the ship. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). 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. Room service is included if youd prefer to dine in the villa. A Premier Cabana is priced from $449. This gives you fantastic views of the ship up close from the water with no obstructed views. Yes! Norwegian Cruise Linestarted leasing Great Stirrup Cay in 1977, to develop it into aprivate island exclusivelyfor NCL cruise ship passengers. 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. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. 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. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. Step up and get a dog as a snack to hold you over, or as your meal. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or .