The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. There are many species of birds including gulls and sanderlings, lizards, crabs and small island creatures that you are bound to catch a glimpse of, once in a while. You can pick up Bahamian souvenirs at the small straw market, close to the main beach. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. Yes, but only a little bit. When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. 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. Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay is situated in the Bahamas and is included in a number of itineraries for Norwegian Cruise Line. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. After all that activity, youll have worked up quite an appetite. I love the idea of a private island. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. All cabanas feature a sofa and several chairs, and a small patio. Thankfully restrooms arent hard to find on Great Stirrup Cay, as they are dotted around the island. Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. Your must-haves for Great Stirrup Cay are pretty basic: I also recommend a few extras to make your day on the island more fun and comfortable: Remember when youre packing your beach bag to double-check that youve packed everything youll need for the day. If youre not sure exactly where to go, just ask the staff at Susans Rock Snorkel Center. This is beneficial, as there can be up to two ships that visit per day, which is common during the summer months. Find the best value cruise sailings to the Bahamas in January 2024. Check onboard with the shore excursions desk to see if there are any cancellations. 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. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. 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. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. 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. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large. On shore youll find a wide range of activities, from ziplining to parasailing to snorkeling, along with beautiful sand, electric blue water, food, bars, and even villas (more details below). These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. Unlike the Carnival Cheers Program which limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, NCL's drink packages are truly unlimited. If youre simply trying to avoid bread or dairy because its your preference (rather than a medical condition), youll find plenty of meat, fruit, and vegetable dishes that should meet your needs. Have more questions about visiting Great Stirrup Cay? 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. Food Truck/Abaco Taco: There are two other spots on the island Abaco Taco (a build your own taco bar) and a food truck called Tropic Like Its Hot (pictured above) serving up some dishes that you wont find anywhere else on Great Stirrup Cay. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. The same $15 per drink limit applies. Fun fact: The island used to be a pirate hideout; however, weve heard no rumors of buried treasure or pirates curses. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Drinks at this bar start at $25, so none are covered by the Premium Beverage Package. The menus include ceviche, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy chicken sandwiches and more. The waters around Great Stirrup Cay are crystal clear, and there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel right from the beach. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. You have entered an incorrect email address! The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Early last year you could have enjoyed a Silver Cove Villa for less than half the price that you now see in 2023. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. 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. 9. For a less busy beach, try secluded Fiesta Beach, which is the furthest from the pier with less noise and activity. They are two different islands. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. Grab a cold drink and enjoy your day, soaking in the sun in this beautiful place. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. 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. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) Youll be able to fit a cell phone, cash, and your license inside while you enjoy the water. 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. Share So what can you expect from your visit? Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. 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. For even more beach bliss, book a massage or other spa treatment at the Mandara Spa at Silver Cove. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. 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. Were here to share some insider information about Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas including what you can expect from this port of call. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. 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. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. The British Navy captain, commander of HMS Tweed, asked to be buried here facing the beach that he loved. 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. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. Cabana rentals start at $249 for 8 guests with additional fees for more guests. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. Youll need to pick up a complimentary ticket with a specific time to board the tender, or you can wait until Open Tender is called. If you want an exclusive hangout with even more amenities, youll want to reserve one of the Silver Cove villas. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. If a Silver Cove Villa for your family is in your budget in 2023, jump on it before prices go up again. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? 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.
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