great stirrup cay what is included

Having recently been to Coco Cay in 2019, and seeing what is on Great Stirrup Cay, I have no desire whatsoever to visit it at this point. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. The ride takes about 10 minutes to get between the island and where the ship is anchored offshore. SUP is easy to learn, and the staff will give you pointers before sending you out to paddle around Bertrams Cove. On the flip side, staying on the ship during a port day at Great Stirrup Cay can be incredibly fun. And because of the island's shape, the shore is naturally protected, meaning that the water is almost always calm. The islands rental center can hook you up with snorkel gear to explore the underwater sculpture garden in Bertrams Cove off the main beach. (See our suggest cruise packing items here.) Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. 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. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas plus juices. If you have a beverage package onboard the ship, it is valid for use on the island. The shallow ocean waters are warmest in the summer season, with temperatures reaching up to 86F in August. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Treatment rooms open onto the lagoon, so the island breezes can waft in while you zone out. Most chairs arent shaded, so you might consider renting a clamshell to keep out of the sun. Later the island was a military installation, until it was claimed by the oil company that later leased the island to NCL. Yes! Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the beach. The truck serves a limited menu of sandwiches and Caribbean-themed lunch items, plus dessert. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). Tip: Check your Freestyle Daily the day before you arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. There is a large cove where you can snorkel, but it may not be as secluded as you want. 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. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. To access the spot you have to purchase a villa during your stay on the island (prices start around $500). On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. Bring cash (US dollars) as many local traders do not accept credit cards or stateroom passes. You can pre-book this exciting experience from the Excursion Desk onboard the ship or at the islands Information Booth. You can also rent wave runners, standup paddleboards, and floating mats. You hop on this smaller boat to motor to the island. In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. However, once it is open tender, you dont need a reservation. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Elizabeth had been ill and hoped that the climate in Florida, where her brother lived, would help her condition. Hugely disappointed with this line. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? The island has an exclusive area called Silver Cove, with cabanas for rent that has a bar, restaurant, and its own lagoon. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. Norwegian's island sits in a chain of islands called the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. 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. As part of their Norwegian Edge program, NCL has spent about $250 million renovating and improving Great Stirrup Cay. Most of this has to do with supply and demand. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. 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. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. 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. The Premier Cabanas are located on Cabana Beach, right next to the Main Beach. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. However, you cant pre-order a wheelchair, and the staff issues them on a first-come, first-served basis. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. Bertram Beach is is the busiest beach and has complimentary beach loungers and hammocks under the scattered palm trees. 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. Great Stirrup Cay is in the Bahamas archipelago. The nearly 80-foot (24 m) lighthouses beam is visible for over 20 miles! Big cabanas are well-suited to large groups or families traveling together. Its also about 60 miles north of Nassau. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. Dont worry, its not accessible to other cruise lines not owned by Norwegian! What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC, 20+ Norwegian Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know, Worth It? This reduces unnecessary delays. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Lines private island in the Bahamas. It's much more private and luxurious, and you'll have the added benefit of access to the Silver Cove amenities. Looks like a wonderful place to relax, Yes, the food on Great Stirrup Cay is included with your cruise fare! . The same $15 per drink limit applies. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. Weve put together everything to know about the island. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? For thrill seekers, one of the newest attractions on Great Stirrup Cay is the zip-line. What did you think of the island? Find hotels in Great Stirrup Cay from $220. Youll take an elevator to the 110-foot platform to zip out 1429 feet to a landing near Silver Cove Lagoon. This is for laid-back folks looking for a relaxing tour around the beautiful island waters of the Berry Islands aboard a modern double-decker catamaran. 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? Have your underwater camera ready to take water selfies with the shoals of fish that hang out at the garden You may also spot lobsters, crabs and shrimps, peering out from the holes and cracks in the statues. 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). The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. From a distance, the first thing you will notice on the island is the massive lighthouse that towers over everything. Walk all the way to the end of the beach area, and youll find Silver Cove. 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. Let me know in the comments below! There are some areas, but not sure if they are off-limits or not to just snorkel on your own. 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. Or take a turn parasailing high above the islands shores. Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Keep in mind the only other people in this area will be those whove booked villas, so its a bit quieter than the rest of the island. Located by the Silver Cove lagoon, these villas have two bedrooms flanking a central indoor living space. Great Stirrup Cay is the northernmost island in the Berry Islands and is 250 acres of paradise. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas was the first private island to be purchased by a cruise line in the 1970's, however, it has come a long way in becoming a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the exclusivity of Norwegian cruise line passengers. Head to the Stirrup Cay Marketplace and youll find a great choice of beachwear, Bahamian crafts and souvenirs. Underwater Sculpture Garden 5. 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. However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. Bertrams Beach is the main beach where tenders arrive and depart. Welcome to Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise exclusive to Norwegian guests. Additional food and drinks, beyond bottled water, fresh fruit and chips and salsa, will incur an extra charge, though you will receive a $50 credit to use toward beverages and food. Currently, GSC doesnt have a swimming pool. It has barbecue food, salads, ribs, chicken and corn-on-the-cob. This body of work consisted of twenty-seven artificia. Pre-order a cheese board, sushi or tacos and find them waiting for you in the cabana. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. 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 islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Spa therapists will work their magic while you relax to the song of the oceans waves. Tickets with early tender times go fast, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible. The only reason to bring cash is to go shopping at the islands straw market. Yes! Thanks for stopping by! Every major cruise line has (at least) one, and while each is different, they are all desirable places to spend a day. The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. By superdavexox, June 21, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What Is a Cabana on a Cruise Ship or Private Island? You can also visit a still-functional lighthouse dating to 1863 or look for locations for fun . For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. 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. Is there a community of people who lived on the island before it was purchased? The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. Norwegian has a small staff that stays on the island, but there are no permanent residents. If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. Choose a beef, chicken, or fish soft taco, and load it up! Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise. 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. (There are public facilities within walking distance.) These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. Costs are from US$60-85 depending on the number of rides and which zip-lines you choose. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. Pricing is per cabana (not per person) and can vary based on your individual ship and itinerary, but daily rates start at $445 for the small cabanas and $495 for the large cabanas; fee includes a $50 credit for use toward food and beverages. Grill: Right near the buffet is a spot where staff cooks up jerk chicken and other goodies that you can get fresh off the grill. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This area is equivalent to The Haven on the ship. 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 go parasailing in tandem, sailing 400 feet high in the air above Stirrup Cay while being towed by a motor boat. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. In short, if youve ever wanted to visit a picturesque private island without having to pay a fortune, this is it. It also comes with four floating mats and bottled water. And lastly, remember to wear good water shoes. Youre in for a pleasant surprise because Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island, is the ideal place foran idyllic beach getaway, with plenty to do and little hassle. You can enjoy some beach sports activities by engaging in a game of volleyball on the beach or listen to the DJ spinning some island music. The only exception is that there is a small straw market of local vendors selling souvenirs. Apart from those two items, you dont NEED to bring anything. This includes all bars, lounges, restaurants, and the brand's private island of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Southeast Lineman Training Center Housing, Dax Create Table From Other Tables, Why Did John Gammon Leave The Middle, Onn Gaming Keyboard Software, Physical Description Of Dajjal, Articles G