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Bertram Beach does gets crowded, especially if there is more than one cruise ship at the island. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Tour guides provide a basic orientation on how to use your kayak. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. 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. Amenities are the same. 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. Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. What is your opinion on the cabana vs villa? If you want to have smaller crowds, head down the beach some, following the path to the other coves. All we can add to this is a few tips such as: Dont forget to carry and reapply sunscreen as often as possible. Board and paddle rentals are $39 per hour, and theres no minimum age requirement, so the whole family can join in. The journey is about a mile each way, and you might even spot some local wildlife, including iguanas and hummingbirds on your walk. Below, weve included the listing of activities and rentals from a recent cruise, along with prices: We mentioned above that Great Stirrup Cay is right next to CocoCay. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Hope to visit it one day. You can go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. 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. They can represent good value for money and ensure the ultimate beach day experience in the Bahamas on Great Stirrup Cay. Or upgrade to a Premier Cabana with room for eight guests. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. The signal usually works on board the ship when its anchored offshore as well. 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. In addition to upgrading and enhancing the experience at the dining venues, and improving walkways and landscaping, theyve also added more sports and adventure activities. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. Inside, there's a ceiling fan, a cushioned sectional-style couch, a mini-refrigerator and a table. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. Happy Cruising!! However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval definition Your Guide to Great Stirrup Cay Cabanas - Cruise Critic 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. ), Pam, I completely agree. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 17 Tips, Tricks and Things to Know About Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. Traveling with a guest who has celiac and want to know what choices might be available that are safe to eat. Theres plenty of room to dance on the sand, away from the crowds sunning on the beach. Everything we know so far about NCLs newest ship: Norwegian Viva. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Each cabana now has. 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. You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. Snorkeling is a very popular activity for visitors to Great Stirrup Cay! I love the idea of a private island. Tip: If you dont want to spring for a clamshell, get to the island as early as possible. All three lines are owned by the . Hot Dog Cart: Want a snack? The island has no pier, so you must take a tender boat from the ship to the island. There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. wikipedia.en/Great_Stirrup_Cay.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en Highlights at Great Stirrup Cay include two lighthouses . These cabanas offer all the same amenities as the larger ones, just in a smaller format. Although these smaller beaches are generally where cabana guests go, theyre also open to anyone. Here is a complete map of the island, provided from NCL: Norwegians island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! until the early 19th century. However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. This 250-acre island in the Bahamas was the first to be purchased by a cruise line ( Norwegian Cruise Line bought it in in 1977) and remains a private paradise. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. This reduces unnecessary delays. The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. Norwegians sister cruise lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, also offer occasional itineraries that include a day at Great Stirrup Cay. 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. Bahamas Cruises: Cruise to Bahamas | Norwegian Cruise Line Was looking though and wondering if the studio villa would be better. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. Enjoy a good swim or just float around on a float-pad (available for $16 for the day) from one of the shacks offering equipment rentals. Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. They can still enjoy the rest of the ship but also have their own little spot. 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. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. If youd like to buy drinks, you use your cruise card to make your purchases just as you do on the ship. Its also smart to bring a towel from the ship. The Ultimate Guide To Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas In 2020 You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Along with all the natural features there are $25 million of facilities and amenities that NCL has built on the island. 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. Drinks are charged to your stateroom pass unless you have a drinks package in which case, just like onboard ship, your drinks are free. 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. Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. 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. Great Stirrup Cay - Wikipedia Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Does NCL own Great Stirrup Cay? GSC doesnt offer WiFi, but there is a cell tower. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. As of 2023, there are 14 ships featuring itineraries that include Great Stirrup Cay: When I first published this post about Great Stirrup Cay in 2020 (yup, I actually cruised to GSC in mid-February 2020 right before the world shut down) I planned to update the info about Great Stirrup Cay I had gathered for my readers about once a year. Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.) 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. This 250+ acre retreat, which is in close proximity to Nassau, Bahamas, is reserved only for the company's cruise ships. Theres plenty to eat on Great Stirrup Cay, so you dont really need to bring snacks. The tour offers both single as well as two-person wave runners. 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. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Manage Settings Because flexibility matters. 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. When we visited in late November and found the water cool. Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. This guided trip will start with a boat ride out to Treasure Island, where guests get a full safety briefing before entering the water. Hugely disappointed with this line. All of our Bahamas cruises feature a whole day visit to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic island paradise reserved only for our guests. 70 Fun Things to Do on the Ship, Norwegian Cruise Line Sharply Raises Service Charges Again (Up to 25%), 25+ Fun Must-Do Things on a Norwegian Cruise, 29 Must-Have Things to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise (11 Youd Never Think Of), Carnival Is Fixing a MAJOR Issue With Sailing from Galveston, Princess Cruise Gratuity (Tips) Full Guide: How Much, How They Work, and More, Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies, 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 Youd Never Think Of). Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! It is home to a lush coconut plantation, an automated lighthouse (built-in 1863), white sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean waters, and a wide variety of marine life. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. Theyve destroyed the beauty of the island and cheapened in with PAY for items they didnt have earlier. That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. Most of Norwegians ships sail to Great Stirrup Cay at some point in their careers, usually as part of Bahamas or Caribbean cruises. Tender is just a fancy term for taking a smaller boat from a larger boat. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. Youll be paddling in clear shallow waters spotting a range of marine creatures including turtles and dolphins if youre lucky in this fun adventure. Below, we have outlined your possibilities for a day on this NCL private island: Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. Yes! Alternatively, head out to the rocks in the water for a climb and more sunbathing. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line's Private Island In The