If you want to buy a drink at the bar, for instance, you just scan your card just like the bars on the ship. Explore Bahamas itineraries, find available cabins and book with GoToSea. The more adventurous can try out parasailing, hit the water on a WaveRunner, or . One note: You CANT bring any food with you between the ship and the island. Have more questions about visiting Great Stirrup Cay? Pick them up at Mat and Float Rentals, across from Bertrams Cove Beach. Best of all, they are free. Here there arent as many people, and its a bit slower paced. What is this island, which is a staple on the line's Bahamas and Caribbean cruises? Will keep an eye out next time! Bonus: Your spa appointment gets you access to the Silver Cove beach, restaurant, and bars, typically reserved for villa guests. Other activities to look forward to include renting a stand-up paddle-board at US$25 for an hour. All food for the day is sent over on tender boats with the ships kitchen staff in the morning. If you're planning a sailing here and want to know more, then here are 16 useful things to know about the island. CocoCay Bahamas Weather. Also Read: IDEAL Things to Do in Bimini, Bahamas. The final zip is 600 feet long and carries you from a height of 75 feet back to ground level. Because flexibility matters. GSC was a pirate hideout (!) Prices start from $599 to over $1100 for up to 8 guests (and $49 for each additional guest, up to 10 in total). Soar Across Great Stirrup Cay. (There are public facilities within walking distance.) The great news is that you dont need to bring much to the island, but you do HAVE to bring a couple of things. Yes, you can use your Norwegian drink package from the ship on Great Stirrup Cay. A Classic Cabana is priced from $425 (all pricing is itinerary dependent) and accommodates up to six guests, with up to two additional guests charged at $25 each. Never been to Great Stirrup Cay. Villa guests also have access to complimentary floats and beach umbrellas. For the ultimate in relaxation, the new luxury Silver Cove area features villas and a private lagoon. And the free food definitely caught my attention. Most bars and restaurants are in this area, and restrooms are just a quick walk from the beach. 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. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? These villas offers the same amenities as the one-bedroom versions. Do you have a specific ship you love or would like to try? Glide smoothly along the coastline enjoying the scenery and spotting fish and marine life beneath the water, while maintaining your balance on this fitness ride. Unlike some other cruise line private islands, GSC doesnt have a regular shuttle or tram to transport guests around. Great Stirrup Cay is not Coco Cay. You're even able to purchase photos to remember your time with them. At the far end of the developed area is Silver Cove, a restricted-access area for those who rent the islands swanky villas. They are slightly larger than the Ocean Villas and are located on the lagoon. The tour offers both single as well as two-person wave runners. 12 Things to Do at Great Stirrup Cay 1. The main beach area is the easternmost section of the islands developed area and closest to the tender pier. 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. During our visit, the lines were running constantly with people zooming back and forth. 12 things that are guaranteed to help you enjoy your day at Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. 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. Great Stirrup Cay doesnt yet have a pier for ships to dock at, so your ship will anchor offshore. Age and weight restrictions do apply, and cruisers need to wear closed-toe shoes to participate. Great Stirrup Cay Great Stirrup Cay. For a more exclusive experience, Silver Cove offers private furnished villa rentals for 10 with one or 2 bedrooms and on-demand movies. 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. Try. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre private cruise island in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. Its no wonder the cruise port has so many fun activities to engage in! If you have a WiFi package on board the ship, you wont be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay. These beautifully designed cabanas feature a large L-shaped couch, a mini-fridge, ceiling fan, four lounge chairs on the porch area, four floating pads, fresh towel supply, snacks, a bowl of fresh fruit, dedicated waiter service, an extra $50 credit for food and a private shower on the back. Perched on a raised area of the beach they catch gentle breezes and offer stunning sea views. However, I think that is for only guests renting the cabana. Theres no service while youre on the beach so if you want to get in touch at home or post to social media about your day at the beach, youll need to wait until you go back aboard. There are also a number of covered areas with picnic tables for you to sit and eat. Prices for this trip are US $65 for adults and $45 for children aged 8+. Since its an extension of Bertrams Beach, you can expect the same features and facilities. Did you notice if they made folks who brought their own snorkel gear rent a vest? Age and weight restrictions apply to this tour, so read carefully before booking. The cruise line might ask passengers to make a reservation for a tender if you want to go right when they start running. 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. Guests who sign up for a spa treatment have an added perkaccess to the private lagoon and Silver Coves restaurant and bars, normally reserved for those renting a villa. The same $15 per drink limit applies. There are very limited complimentary beverages available with meals: coffee and ice water. The islands are about 140 miles east of Miami, making it a close port of call for cruises departing the Florida port. Really interesting. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The tiny cemetery is located in a grassy area across from the main beach. Note that the operators of this shore excursion dont allow guests to take their own photos (but you can purchase pictures). The front of each structure is open to the outside, but you can draw the curtains for privacy. For the most part any spending you do on the island can be done on your cruise room key, just like you were on the ship. Its close to the snorkeling areas of Bertrams Cove, rentals, tour info, food, drinks, and music, so it's the most action-packed. The guide will identify the marine life and tell you a bit about the island. Instead, the ship docks offshore and you use a tender to get the shore. 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. Great Stirrup Cay has several coves that run across the length of the island. There were two early-nineteenth-century burials on the island, and you can visit the tiny cemetery with their memorials. You cant miss itthe mats are a seriously bright shade of yellow! This such a rip off from NCL. First things first an overview of exactly what Great Stirrup Cay is all about. 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. Will the cruise ship wait for you if you're late at a port? This 90-minute guided tour will take you to the home of huge southern stingrays. 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. Are there an abundance of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent? When the stingrays approach, you will have an opportunity to pet, feed and have a photo taken with these majestic creatures. And unless you have premium tastes, your favorite liquors will be included. were changing far more frequently. It was still nice and warm to lay on the beach, but we didnt do much swimming. 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. Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and can only be visited as a port of call from a NCL cruise. The Berry Islands are warm enough for swimming year-round, making Great Stirrup Cay a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Peacefully glide along the coastline in a kayak, or soar high into the sky as you zipline across the island. January is the coldest month, with highs of 79F (26C). Food on Great Stirrup Cay is complimentary and there are three dining options to choose from: Jumbo Beach Grill is the largest and most popular buffet venue. They overlook the Silver Cove Lagoon which has overwater swings, the Silver Cove Restaurant and Bar and the Moet Champagne Bar. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Osprey Zipline ($79/$59 kids) Three easy flights: the first flight south is the tallest at 120 feet above the ground. 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. With all this information, you are all geared up for the best time possible at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. 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. The alternate package is the "Premium Plus Beverage Package." The very first cruise line private island, Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre piece of paradise in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. You can add up to two extra guests to either size cabana, with a $35 charge per person. Ive never heard of this place before! Currently, there are three dining options available to all guests on the island. The good news is that food is free on Great Stirrup Cay, and you have several options to choose from. RCL has hit a home run with Coco Cay, and while it may be smaller, it doesnt seem so, and it feels like it was laid out to perfection. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These include: Great Stirrup Cay - Norwegian Cruise Line; Perfect Day at Cococay - RCI; Castaway Cay - Disney and RCI; Ocean Cay Marine Reserve - MSC; Labadee, Haiti - RCI; 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. Great questions, Courtney! Enjoy the view of the islands coastline and the beautiful blue sea before the boat lands right on the beach where you can walk ashore. These visits are part of longer Caribbean sailings or even around-the-world cruises. You should also get priority tendering with a villa, which is great when everyone's trying to get to the island - it can take hours to get all the passengers tendered over. 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. It is located between Great Harbour Cay and Little Stirrup Cay (now renamed CocoCay at Perfect Cay) about 140 miles east of Miami. The beach is certainly family-friendly, and older kids can enjoy the various activities and shore excursions. This video shows off the various. Paolo, I hope you're able to visit GSC - it's so nice to just relax there and enjoy the beautiful scenery. If youre looking for some beachy thrills, sign up for a zip-line adventure. Its a great way to start your visit to Great Stirrup Cay so get a pre-booked timed ticket to board or just wait for Open Tender when you can just turn up and hop aboard! The only people allowed on the island are Norwegian passengers and staff. These luxury villas include beds, a living room, bathroom, fridge, TV, and outdoor seating areas. On Great Stirrup Cay, the main bars include Bacardi Bar, Bertram's Bar and Patron Bar, specializing in various frozen beachy concoctions. All three lines are owned by the . If youre looking for even more luxury, Great Stirrup Cays exclusive new Silver Cove area offers private villas for the day. To make your experience even more serene, book one of the small or large beachside cabanas, stocked with plenty of extras to make it a worthwhile splurge. In the exclusive Silver Cove area, theres also the Silver Cove Bar and the Mot Bar. First and foremost, Great Stirrup Cay is a gem for its beaches. Its also the location of the Mandara Spa. Pricing for most of their excursions falls within the range of $75-$140/adult and $55-$99/child. (As with all Great Stirrup Cay visitors, you can help yourself to food from the island's complimentary buffet while it is running.)