with respect to the mortgage by Great Stirrup Cay Limited over Great Stirrup Cay Island, (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as practicable after receipt of the Great Stirrup Cay Mortgage Central Bank Approval with respect to Great Stirrup Cay Limited and the Supplemental Security Agent Central Bank Approval, with respect . Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. Prices for this trip are US $65 for adults and $45 for children aged 8+. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Each group of cabanas is located close to small beaches that are often far less crowded than the main beach. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. 15 Things to do on Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's Private Island) Each cabana now has. Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay (2023) - Should Be Cruising This gives you fantastic views of the ship up close from the water with no obstructed views. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? And if you'd like to be closer to the buffet, the large cabanas are best. Great Stirrup Cay, Your Own Private Island Set sail for the Bahamas and get ready for some fun in the sun! Norwegian Cruise Line Internet Packages and Prices, Club Orange, Holland America's Priority Program, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, 6 Cruise Memories That Will Warm Your Heart, Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Large Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), Private Cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line), P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. Ive never heard of this place before! Visit the coral reefs of the Bahamas in this unique 90-minute cruise excursion swimming with pigs. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. Currently there is no pier or quay on Stirrup Cay so tenders (small motor boats) are used to transport cruisers ashore. They can still enjoy the rest of the ship but also have their own little spot. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. 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. However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. Is the Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package Worth It? Because flexibility matters. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. During our visit, the lines were running constantly with people zooming back and forth. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. Heres everything you need to know before your GSC visit. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. 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. 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. 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! The menu still revolves around salads, grilled fare, and tropical fruits and desserts, but the options are fancier than at Jumbey and the presentation more sophisticated. To get to the lighthouse, walk back and to the left of the tenders and look for the Lighthouse Trail. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line actually operates a couple, including Harvest Caye in the Caribbean and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Entertainment on the private island focuses on music and dancing, centered around the bars and the bandstand. Wait times can be long at peak transit times, so plan accordingly (for example, if youre trying to get back on board for an afternoon spa treatment). You'll be close to the lagoon area, a part of the island currently under construction. Weve put together everything to know about the island. This unforgettable stingray encounter will cost $69 for an adult and $49 for a child.. Take a 2 hour Kayaking Tour around Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. And I really dont care all that much for Cruising now, after been doing so since the early 90s and watching the food quality deteriorate over the years and even more so recently. . The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. You'll have a view here of the cove, since these cabanas are perched on top of a small hill. Meanwhile, you have two choices of where to rent a villa oceanside or surrounding a massive lagoon of electric blue water. On Great Stirrup Cay, the equivalent is the Silver Cove area of the island. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. The island features a sweeping shoreline that features several different coves with white sand and gorgeous blue water. Norwegian employs staff members that resides on the island to prepare for ship visits. Great Stirrup Cay happens to be located adjacent toLittle Stirrup Cay,home to RCCs private island CocoCay. The reviews of CocoCay have been phenomenal from visitors, including us. Unlike other private islands, Great Stirrup Cay does not have any kid play areas. 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. One of the most popular are the over-the-water swings. The cruise port destination sits in the middle of the Berry Islands, about 140 miles from Miami. You may add up to two additional people for an additional $30 per-person charge, for a maximum of eight people in the small cabanas and 10 in the large cabanas. 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. That reduces the waves and the choppy water and makes things perfect for playing in the water, even for small kids. Are there an abundance of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent? Theyll encourage guests to come up and dance with them. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. If you have a beverage package for your cruise, it will work on the island as well. Yes! On the drinks end, there are five bars on the island, starting with the very energetic Bacardi Bar where you can hang out and listen to music as well as enjoy a drink. It's also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Best of all, they are free. One exception is transportation to Silver Cove, since its a bit of a hike from where youll exit your tender. Even if youre not a dancer, its fun to watch the high-energy staff interact with guests (who may or may not have had a couple of rum cocktails). Im so glad youre here! Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. Let me know in the comments below! 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. Jump to content. By that time, many (if not all) of the restaurants and bars on the island will be closed. These villas have a separate bedroom with king-size bed in addition to the living area, with a dining table on the patio. Theres plenty more to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Thankfully, most of the action on the island is centrally located by the main beach at Bertrams Cove. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? Im seeing 10 to 15% jumps in pricing for shore excursions in just the past six monthsand thats after the usual annual increases. Tip: If youre thinking of visiting the Mot Bar in Silver Cove, consider upgrading your beverage package to the Premium Plus Beverage Package. 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. If you want to pay for an excursion or get a drink at the bar, just hand over your card to pay. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located about 62 miles from Nassau, the Bahamian capital on the island of New Providence. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. 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. Winds were too calm, so they were forced to stop at the nearest island, Great Stirrup Cay. The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. Then I noticed that offerings (and prices!) You'll also discover that sometimes there will be a separate line for Suite or Haven guests to board the tenders when returning to the ship. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Seahawk Zipline ($89/$69 kids) This zipline also offers three flights, but theyre a bit more challenging. Tucked away at the northern end of the Berry Islands is Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. . We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. Since the island is uninhabited, your only options for shore excursions are those you book through the cruise line. But of course, just like with bigger and better cruise ships, there is also competition among private islands. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line suites: What's included? Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. Visiting the Key West Lighthouse and Museum. 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. Cabanas on the Cay book up fairly quickly, several months in advance of a cruise, so early booking is strongly recommended. 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. 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. Jumbey Beach Grill is the largest dining venue, offering barbecue-style food in a buffet setting. That said, depending on when you go you may not want to swim much. 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. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. The colorful open-air market offers clothing and accessories, as well as a variety of local crafts. 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. These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. No, there is currently not a pool on Great Stirrup Cay, just sheltered swimming coves. The temperature averages a very pleasant 77F all year round. wikipedia.en/Great_Stirrup_Cay.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en 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. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Carry cash for the local market on the island; they dont take your ship stateroom card or credit card. Head to any bar on the island and you can get a drink just like you would on the ship. There are a number of sides available too, and the smell draws in a lot of folks to eat here. Norwegian Cruise Line is the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its passengers. Youll return via a 105-foot V-net bridge, a 25-foot chimney climb, and two more long zipline rides. Villas also come with a full bathroom with shower and a private patio decked out with padded loungers. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! Lagoon Villas start at $799 and accommodate eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $49 each. Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUP) is a fun way to get out on the water, and its a great workout, too! Beach wheelchairs are available on request. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. The second zip-line is 600 feet long, starting 100 feet above the ground. Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. Youll also see local fish and plenty of colorful marine-life. Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. This is actually not a lighthouse, but the peak of the zipline course that runs throughout the island. The back story is that Great Stirrup Cay was bought from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and was the first island ever to be transformed into a private island cruise port for a cruise line. There are limited loungers in a shady area under the trees, but they go fast! With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Note: There are also several shore excursions from 2022 that arent currently offered, but may return in 2023. After a brief orientation your guide will help you into a 2-person kayak. 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.

Why Did Ethan Leave Plathville, Ashville Aggregates Owner Net Worth, What Happens To My Imrf Pension If I Quit?, Missoula, Mt Homes For Rent By Owner, Articles G