Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. But did you know theres a real lighthouse on the island as well? A shopping area and child areas, as well as restricted-access beaches are also included in your Caribbean holiday in the Bahamas. However, anyone can relax on the sand or use the free beach chairs available. Just watch out for rocks and coral on the oceans floor when you go into the water. A visit to the Bahamas is never complete without a souvenir. Beach access is free, and complimentary loungers are available. The island currently does not have have Wi-Fi, so it will definitely be a day to disconnect. Both cabana styles offer complimentary bottled water as well as up to four free-floating mats. The island has several bars spread throughout the beach areas. Everything to Know About Norwegians Free At Sea Sale, What to Do on a Cruise? Weve put together everything to know about the island. Its open to all, but its a bit of a walk from the main beach area. It features 38 air-conditioned beachfront villas, a Mandara Spa, a Mot & Chandon Bar and the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar. Cabana No. 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. We saw a couple of hot dog carts roaming around the island during our stay. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Two lounge chairs with a beach umbrella will be reserved for you at the 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. Great tip about not having wifi outside of international cell service. If you get the Internet package on the ship, unfortunately it wont extend to the island. 5 big changes you should know about coming to Norwegian Cruise Line in 2023, Comparing Norwegian Cruise Line sailings to Alaska in 2023, 17 kinds of cruises you didnt know Norwegian Cruise Lines offered. Alternatively, head out to the rocks in the water for a climb and more sunbathing. There, visitors can swim with the pigs and feed them, or watch them from the observation deck. Both beaches are available to the public and offer beach chairs closer to the water. The first burial was Captain Allan Bertram (1790-1834), the namesake of Bertrams Cove. Cabanas on the Cay book up fairly quickly, several months in advance of a cruise, so early booking is strongly recommended. Abaco Taco is a make-your-own taco bar with a variety of toppings available. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. When you return, you will show the security guard your room card and ID to get back on the tender to the ship. 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. Prices for this trip are US $65 for adults and $45 for children aged 8+. Great questions, Courtney! If a soothing spa treatment is more your style, be sure to book a facial or massage at Mandara Spa in Silver Cove. 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. Let me know in the comments below! In simple terms, you can get almost anything on the ship that's priced less than $15 per glass. About to head to Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay? The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cayis a 268-acre piece of paradise in theBerry Islandsin theBahamas. Still, you can go out and be away from other people. Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar offers an upscale buffet with elevated choices such as grilled lobster tail and jumbo shrimp ceviche. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. The main attraction at Great Stirrup Cay is the beach, with plentiful lounge chairs and protected coves for swimming and snorkeling. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Tip: If your Bahamas cruise also stops in Freeport, I recommend the Swim With The Pigs excursion that NCL offers thereyou can take unlimited photos and video at no additional charge. Hi Ronald, if you're on the fence about cabana vs. villa (and don't mind spending a bit more), I'd say go with the villa. This service is generally at . Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. I would love to learn more about life on the island for the people employed by the cruise line. The ocean swing sets provide a fantastic photo-op if you've been waiting for that picture perfect moment to share on Instagram. until the early 19th century. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What's Not Included With a Great Stirrup Cay Cabana Rental, How to Book a Cabana on Great Stirrup Cay, What to Expect on a Cruise: Drink Packages on Cruises, 11 Reasons to Take Your Family on a P&O Cruise, Half Moon Cay vs. CocoCay: What These Cruise Line Private Islands Offer Cruisers, Harvest Caye Cabanas: 8 Reasons They're Worth a Splurge. This helps them stand out from the rest of the island. That makes it extremely simple for passengers. Everything you could need is offered right here and the only people on the island are Norwegian passengers. There are also a number of covered areas with picnic tables for you to sit and eat. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. 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. This would be a great day to book a (possibly discounted) spa treatment! . The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." Head to the Stirrup Cay Marketplace and youll find a great choice of beachwear, Bahamian crafts and souvenirs. When I was researching the little cemetery, I learned that when Elizabeth's husband buried her on the island he met two men of African descent, assumed to be former slaves, living on the island. Vegetarian main dishes are limited on the island, and cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed if youre concerned about gluten, nuts, or other allergens. I never knew cruise lines could own private islands. Where is Great Stirrup Cay Located? The .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}cabanas are open-air style with an open wall facing the beach and windows on each side. Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. In 1979, Norwegian Cruise Line installed a stone marker and plaque on the location of his grave. Guests who book a villa or a Mandara Spa treatment on the island have access to an additional complimentary restaurant. Carry cash for the local market on the island; they dont take your ship stateroom card or credit card. Its simply a larger version of the Classic Cabana, accommodating eight guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. On CocoCay, you'll find Captain Jack's, the Oasis. The pigs are actually located on nearby Treasure Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Great Stirrup Cay. You can rent clam shells or beach umbrellas for shade. 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. On the second flight, youll soar 850 feet out to the next landing, then 900 feet out to return to the starting point. The first zip-line is 100 feet long, but its also the highest and scariest. The cost of the guided kayaking tour is US $55 for adults and $40 for children aged 8 and above. The island zipline adventure is a brand new shore excursion offered on Great Stirrup Cay. Be warned that on NCL ships, Open Tender generally doesnt start until the afternoon. Cruise week report: NCL suites, tours you want to skip, the best accessory for your next cruise, and more! And the free food definitely caught my attention. Norwegian's website currently offers 22 shore excursions to choose from, including cabana and equipment rentals. Since Norwegian Cruise Line doesnt run the bazaar, you wont be able to use your cruise card here. Returning to the ship and tendering back to the island likely wont be practical. The best beach on Great Stirrup Cay will depend on your preferences because they're all beautiful. Wander westward, and youll get to Cabana and Fiesta Beaches, which are flanked by rental cabanasand can be a bit quieter. Having it work on Great Stirrup Cay means you are better able to get your moneys worth. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with exotic fish, or just stroll the white sand beaches. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. 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. 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. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. We actually just booked a cruise with NCL with a stop in GSC. Abaco Taco is a fun taco bar where you can load up your own taco with fish, chicken beef and all the toppings. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Definitely take some closed-toe walking shoes if you want to do this short hike. This actually is a big benefit to buying the package for cruises that visit the island. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. The pigs arent on GSC itself, but on nearby Treasure Island. Great Stirrup Cay: Everything you need to know about Norwegians private island. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. During our visit we were given a tour and told that there were bigger plans in the works for Great Stirrup Cay. Its the best chance to get that perfect photo in front of your ship. Enjoy a hearty serving of tasty food including burgers, pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken or steak. Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. The location is at Cabana Beach, closer to the main beach (Bertram's Cove) than the smaller cabanas. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. Or am I missing something? 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. For the ultimate relaxation, the new Silver Cove area offers beautiful private two-storey villas and a private lagoon for an additional fee. Worth Reading: Best Beaches in Nassau, Bahamas for Cruise Visitors. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. Is there a private or designated section for Haven passengers? 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 sculpture garden is located just in front of the large rock formations youll notice rising out of the water. We will also mention that Great Stirrup Cay didnt feel particularly accessible otherwise as there are lots of spots that require walking through sand. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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).
